Alberta government ‘censored’ Indigenous book, undermining reconciliation in schools, author says – CBC

Province added David Alexander Robertson’s graphic novel to not-recommended list due to ‘sensitive content’

A prominent Indigenous author says the Alberta government’s decision to turn the page on one of his graphic novels used in schools is undermining its commitment to reconciliation.

David Alexander Robertson says a teacher, who had students read Betty: The Helen Betty Osborne Story for years, reached out on social media last month after noticing it made Alberta Education’s not-recommended list for classrooms.

The graphic novel — for students from Grade 9 to 12 — explores the real-life story of a 19-year-old Cree woman who was kidnapped and murdered in The Pas, Man., in 1971.

“It’s concerning to see books being censored in this way, especially in an era of reconciliation where we need those truths,” he said in an interview with CBC Radio’s Unreserved host Rosanna Deerchild.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/books-censorship-and-what-happens-when-indigenous-lit-goes-mainstream-1.4882446/alberta-government-censored-indigenous-book-undermining-reconciliation-in-schools-author-says-1.4915251