Winnipeg-based Cree author's book returned to Ontario school district's shelves

A Winnipeg-based Cree author's book is being returned to library shelves in an Ontario school district, weeks after the school board quietly pulled the book.

On Wednesday, the Durham District School Board announced it would be returning David A. Robertson's book The Great Bear, along with two other books that had been removed, to its libraries.

The books had been removed pending a review after the school board said Indigenous families within the district brought forward concerns about the book.

"We recognize that the Indigenous families who came forward did so with the intent to ensure we meet their children’s needs. We also understand that for many families, the importance of accessing books that reflect Indigenous lived realities is critically important," the Durham District School Board said in a statement posted on its website Wednesday.

While the school board didn’t immediately elaborate on what the concerns were, in its statement it said they were related to, "Indigenous stereotypes and terminology that could perpetuate discrimination." Robertson previously told CTV News he was told his book contained 'too much culture and ceremony'.

The district said it had discussions with the local Indigenous community in an accelerated review process.

"Those discussions have placed the focus on the importance of making books by Indigenous authors available to students, particularly Indigenous students based on providing choice. In response to this feedback, we will be returning the books to library circulation," the statement reads.

The district said it 'deeply respects' the work of Robertson and said it has offered to meet with the author.

In an interview with CTV News Winnipeg, Robertson said he was satisfied with the decision, but he still has questions as to why the book was pulled in the first place.

“I think that me and my publisher are really owed some sort of explanation. It was a very stressful and very upsetting week, and it took a lot out of me,” he said.

“The impact that it has on authors, when something like this happens, I think they do deserve some sort of an explanation.”

Robertson said he is prepared to meet and work with the school board to find a more transparent process in assessing books.

The author noted he is grateful for all who spoke out against the book’s removal and helped to get it reinstated.

He said the greatest harm when books are removed is to children.

“Kids deserve to have books that teach them about themselves, that they are represented in,” he said. “This book is very important, along with all of my work for Indigenous youth, so that they can see themselves as heroes, so they can see characters that save the world. But they're also equally important for non-Indigenous youth, so that they can see through that window and look at the lives of somebody else and, and see diverse characters being heroes in stories.”