By R.Metalin (Manager, Professional Learning)

As we approach both Remembrance Day and Indigenous Veterans Day, Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden offers a deeply moving and essential reading experience — one that broadens our understanding of courage, sacrifice and the lasting scars of war.

This acclaimed novel tells the story of two Cree friends, Xavier Bird and Elijah Weesageechak, who enlist as Canadian snipers in the First World War. Through their experiences on the battlefields of Europe and the quiet journey home that follows, Boyden illuminates the profound cost of war — on the body, the spirit and the community left behind. The novel is framed through the voice of Niska, Xavier’s aunt, a medicine woman who embodies resilience and cultural continuity amidst profound loss and change.

For educators, Three Day Road opens important avenues for teaching about Remembrance Day through a more inclusive and truthful lens — acknowledging the many Indigenous soldiers who served with courage and distinction, often returning to a country that did not recognize their sacrifice. The novel also invites reflection on themes of identity, trauma and healing, providing rich opportunities for classroom discussion about the intersections of history, culture and memory.

Boyden’s lyrical prose and layered storytelling make Three Day Road a powerful resource for senior secondary classrooms and professional learning alike. It challenges us to consider not only the horrors of war but also the resilience of those who fight for dignity and belonging.

This November, as we honour all who have served their country, Three Day Road reminds us of the importance of remembering every story — and ensuring that Indigenous voices and experiences are central to our national act of remembrance.