Indigenous summer reading: 3 top picks by Leanne Simpson

In this on-going summer seriesauthors, celebrities and CBC personalities share their favourite indigenous books, the ones they want to read this summer and the ones they think everyone should read.

• 3 top picks by Shelagh Rogers
• 3 top picks by New Fire host Lisa Charleyboy

Here's authorwriter, educator and activistLeanne Betasamosake Simpson,of Mississauga Nishnaabeg ancestry, with her top three picks.

A fave:Celia's song by Lee Maracle

Every once in awhile I decide I'm going to write a barn burner of a book that rips open the sexism and capitalism of colonialism in the most beautiful and articulate way possible.

Then I re-read Lee Maracle's, I am Woman as my jumping off point, and I realize that even though three decades have now passed since she self-published the original edition of this book, every word still rings true, and there is precious little for me to add.

• Lee Maracle on The Next Chapter

Lee also writes poetry and fiction.She has two new books coming this fall along with my favourite, her new novel, Celia'sSong, released earlier this year. Celia's Song is a must read an incredible novel woventhrough a multi-generational Nuu'Chahlnuth family in which ancient intelligence islayered in complex and clarifying way.

Itis an old story echoing into the present, and the first line "There's something helpless about being a witness", has stayedwith me from the second I read it.

A recommendation: Birdie by Tracey Lindberg

I highly recommend Cree writer Tracey Lindberg's fantastic debut novel Birdie.This is abeautiful and poetic book from start to finish.

Lindberg is a writer that can whisperpainful truths in a graceful way while making transformation the most tender of rebelliousacts.

The female characters in Birdie are so very Cree their warmth, laughter andstrength dances off the pages.

This novel is also funny, Beachcomber funny, and Lindberg has managed to capture a great many Canadian pop culture references from the past, including you'll be happy to rememberThe Frugal Gourmet.

Reading right now: Thoughts and Other Human Tendencies by Reneltta Arluk

Having spent a good chunk of the past few months in Denendeh, I'm compelled to pointreaders to the rich and diverse storytelling of the north.

My sense is that we're going to bereading a lot more from emerging Dene, Mtis and Inuit writers in the near future asyoung writers, playwrights and filmakers carry on those storytelling traditions in newways.

This summer, I've just started reading Reneltta Arluk's book of poetry, Thoughts and Other Human Tendencies. Reneltta is a writer and actor of Inuvialuit-Dene and founder of Akpik Theatre based in Somba'ke (Yellowknife), NWT.

I'm only a few poemsin, but there is both wisdom and magic in these words with some bare bones truth tellingthat makes me feel less alone.