English

In A Short History of the Blockade, award-winning writer Leanne Betasamosake Simpson uses Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg stories, storytelling aesthetics, and practices to explore the generative nature of Indigenous blockades through our relative, the beaver—or in Nishnaabemowin, Amik. Moving through genres, shifting through time, amikwag stories become a lens for the life-giving possibilities of dams and the world-building possibilities of blockades, deepening our understanding of Indigenous resistance, as both a negation and an affirmation. Widely recognized as one of the most compelling Indigenous voices of her generation, Simpson’s work breaks open the intersections between politics, story, and song, bringing audiences into a rich and layered world of sound, light, and sovereign creativity. A Short History of the Blockade reveals how the practice of telling stories is also a culture of listening, “a thinking through together,” and ultimately, like the dam or the blockade, an affirmation of life.

Educator Information
Subjects & Keywords: Social Sciences, Literary Criticism, Indigenous Studies; Indigenous resistance, blockades, beaver dams, Nishnaabeg storytelling, regeneration, generative resistance, Canadian Indigenous literature, land defenders, water defenders, practice of wisdom, Indigenous stories, Indigenous authors.

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools collection for grades 10 to 12 for these subjects: Social Studies, English Language Arts, English First Peoples

Additional Information
88 pages | 5.25" x 9.00"

A fifty-year-old mystery converges with a present-day struggle over family, land, and history.

When a rock is dislodged from its slope by mischievous ancestors, the past rises to meet the present, and Half-Dime Hill gives up a gruesome secret it has kept for half a century. Some people of Mozhay Point have theories about what happened; others know—and the discovery stirs memories long buried, reviving a terrible story yet to be told.

Returning to the fictional Ojibwe reservation in northern Minnesota she has so deftly mapped in her award-winning books, Linda LeGarde Grover reveals traumas old and new as Margie Robineau, in the midst of a fight to keep her family’s long-held allotment land, uncovers events connected to a long-ago escape plan across the Canadian border, and the burial—at once figurative and painfully real—of not one crime but two. While Margie is piecing the facts together, Dale Ann is confronted by her own long-held secrets and the truth that the long ago and the now, the vital and the departed are all indelibly linked, no matter how much we try to forget.

As the past returns to haunt those involved, Margie prepares her statement for the tribal government, defending her family’s land from a casino development and sorting the truths of Half-Dime Hill from the facts that remain there. Throughout the narrative, a chorus of spirit women gather in lawn chairs with coffee and cookies to reminisce, reflect, and speculate, spinning the threads of family, myth, history, and humor—much as Grover spins another tale of Mozhay Point, weaving together an intimate and complex novel of a place and its people.

Reviews
"A sprawling, poignant chronicle of struggle and survivance."—Kirkus Reviews

"With its powerful, atmospheric descriptions of the natural world, A Song over Miskwaa Rapids resembles an Indigenous family saga in miniature, couching memory and mystery in a potent spirit world."—Foreword Reviews

Additional Information
128 pages | 5.50" x 8.25" | Hardcover

Bringing together voices from across Turtle Island, a groundbreaking collection of letters from Indigenous writers, activists, and thinkers—to their ancestors, to future generations, and to themselves.

Drawing on the wisdom and personal experience of its esteemed contributors, this first-of-its-kind anthology tackles complex questions of our times to provide a rich tapestry of Indigenous life, past, present, and future. The letters explore the histories that have brought us to this moment, the challenges and crises faced by present-day communities, and the visions that will lead us to a new architecture for thinking about Indigeneity. Taking its structure from the medicine bundle—tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass—it will stir and empower readers, as well as enrich an essential and ongoing conversation about what reconciliation looks like and what it means to be Indigenous today.

Contributors: Billy-Ray Belcourt, Cindy Blackstock, Cody Caetano, Warren Cariou, Norma Dunning, Kyle Edwards, Jennifer Grenz, Jon Hickey, Jessica Johns, Wab Kinew, Terese Marie Mailhot, Kent Monkman, Simon Moya-Smith, Pamela Palmater, Tamara Podemski, Waubgeshig Rice, David A. Robertson, Niigaan Sinclair, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, Zoe Todd, David Treuer, Richard Van Camp, katherena vermette, Jesse Wente, Joshua Whitehead.

Additional Information
192 pages | 5.50" x 8.25" | Hardcover

A seminal collection of Haida myths and legends; now in a gorgeous new package.

The linguist and ethnographer John Swanton took dictation from the last great Haida-speaking storytellers, poets and historians from the fall of 1900 through the summer of 1901. Together they created a great treasury of Haida oral literature in written form.

Having worked for many years with these century-old manuscripts, linguist and poet Robert Bringhurst brings both rigorous scholarship and a literary voice to the English translation of John Swanton's careful work. He sets the stories in a rich context that reaches out to dozens of native oral literatures and to myth-telling traditions around the globe.

Attractively redesigned, this collection of First Nations oral literature is an important cultural record for future generations of Haida, scholars and other interested readers. It won the Edward Sapir Prize, awarded by the Society for Linguistic Anthropology, and it was chosen as the Literary Editor's Book of the Year by the Times of London.

Bringhurst brings these works to life in the English language and sets them in a context just as rich as the stories themselves one that reaches out to dozens of Native American oral literatures, and to mythtelling traditions around the world.

The Tahltan people of northern BC share family favourites with adapted, modernized and traditional First Nations recipes. Included are traditional game recipes and information on preparing moose, deer and bear.

See Tahltan Cookbook Volumes 2 also listed.

The highly anticipated second installment of the new adult fantasy saga that took BookTok by storm picks up where A Broken Blade left off…

To the kingdom, Keera is the king’s Blade, his most feared and trusted spy and assassin. But in the shadows, she works with Prince Killian and his Shadow—the dark, brooding Fae, Riven, who sets her blood on fire. Together, they plot to kill a tyrant king.

In Myrelinth, the lush, secret city of trees, Fae, Elves, and Halflings like Keera live in harmony. But Keera cannot escape her past: her crimes against her own people have followed her all the way to the Faeland. There is a traitor in their midst, and Keera is the top suspect.

Keera finds comfort in the allies that have become her family. She swore she would never open her heart again after a loss she barely survived. But she will soon find she has more to lose than she ever imagined . . .

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series, A Shadow Crown is a tour-de-force high fantasy novel with stunning world building and a slow burn enemies to lovers romance. Readers seeking more LGBTQ+ and BIPOC representation in the fantasy realm will fall in love with the unforgettable cast of characters introduced in A Broken Blade, whose sagas are only beginning…

Reviews
"The second installment in Melissa Blair’s Halfling Saga will undoubtedly take BookTok by storm all over again with its political intrigue and plotting.” —Paste Magazine

“If you’re a particular fan of spies in fantasy realms—like our beloved Inej in Six of Crows—then The Halfling Saga should be your next read.” —The Everygirl

Educator & Series Information
Young adult/new adult fantasy series recommended for ages 18+.

This book is the second title in the Halfing Saga.

Additional Information
480 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

Acclaimed author Thomas King is in fabulous, fantastical form in this bestselling short story collection. From the surreal migrations of the title story to the misadventures of Coyote in the modern world and the chaos of a baby's unexpected arrival by airmail, King's tales are deft, hilarious and provocative. 

Reviews
"The stories in this volume cover a lot of ground. King touches on the history of displacement, racism and stereotyping, oppressive government policy, marriage and relationships, and Aboriginal-white relations, among other topics." - Dragonfly Consulting Services Canada

Educator Information
Grade 10/11 English First Peoples resource used in the unit The Trickster - A Recurring Presence.

Additional Information
256 pages | 5.31" x 8.00"

Nina is a Lipan girl in our world. She’s always felt there was something more out there. She still believes in the old stories.

Oli is a cottonmouth kid, from the land of spirits and monsters. Like all cottonmouths, he’s been cast from home. He's found a new one on the banks of the bottomless lake.

Nina and Oli have no idea the other exists. But a catastrophic event on Earth, and a strange sickness that befalls Oli’s best friend, will drive their worlds together in ways they haven’t been in centuries.

And there are some who will kill to keep them apart.

Darcie Little Badger introduced herself to the world with Elatsoe. In A Snake Falls to Earth, she draws on traditional Lipan Apache storytelling structure to weave another unforgettable tale of monsters, magic, and family. It is not to be missed.

Reviews
"Evokes the timeless feeling of listening to traditional oral storytelling.”—Kirkus Reviews

“If Elatsoe was a ten out of ten, then A Snake Falls to Earth is a solid 11. This book could have been twice as long and I still would have begged for more. Although aimed at a young-adult audience, it has the kind of easy appeal and heartfelt tone that will entice younger kids and older adults as well. Anyone reading or buying YA needs to add this to their shelves immediately.” — Locus

“This is a delightful and imaginative novel with alternating protagonists. One is Nina, a teenager trying to translate a story told by her great-great-grandmother in her native Athabaskan language, Lipan. The other is Oli, a cottonmouth snake with the ability to shapeshift, who is learning to find his way after being pushed from the nest. Climate change features, informed by the author’s geoscience degree and PhD in oceanography. Another theme is linguistic diversity and the crucial role of storytelling in keeping cultures alive. A Snake Falls to Earth is also very much a story of friendship.”—Five Books

Educator Information
Recommended by publisher for ages 12 to 18.

#OwnVoices Lipan Apache author.

An original work of Indigenous futurism that draws on Lipan Apache storytelling traditions.

Additional Information
384 pages | 5.50" x 8.25" | Paperback

“The kit uses her webbed back feet and little flat tail to push through the water. She swims down the tunnel and out into the pond. At the surface of the water, she sees a dragonfly. She follows it to the edge of the pond. It settles on a big rock.”

This book uses both fiction and non-fiction as a unique approach to storytelling.

On left-hand pages, lyrical text and colourful illustrations tell a story of a young beaver’s early morning spring adventure. Using her senses, the kit discovers the world around her lodge. Expertly woven into this delightful story are interesting facts about beavers and other plants and animals in this wetland ecosystem.

Captioned and labelled photographs, word boxes, a diagram, and a map make the non-fiction portion of this book an accessible source of information for young readers.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the A Spring Adventure series.

Recommended for grades 2 and 3.

Captioned and labelled photographs, word boxes, a diagram, and a map make the non-fiction portion of this book an accessible source of information for young readers.

Science Connections: Biodiversity, animal classification, food chains, life cycles, ecosystems, geology, and the connections between living and non-living things are some of the concepts included in this book.

Additional Information
24 Pages | 8" x 8" | ISBN: 978-1-77174-567-3 | Paperback

“The fledgling lands safely at the foot of the tree. He looks around. He sees a ladybug crawling along the leaf of a stinging nettle. He is curious. Is it good to eat? He hops up onto a smooth, black rock to take a closer look.”

This book uses both fiction and non-fiction as a unique approach to storytelling.

On left-hand pages, lyrical text and colourful illustrations tell a story of a young crow’s early morning spring adventure. Using his senses, the fledgling discovers the world around his nest. Expertly woven into this delightful story are interesting facts about crows and other plants and animals in a city park.

Captioned and labelled photographs, word boxes, a diagram, and a map make the non-fiction portion of this book an accessible source of information for young readers.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the A Spring Adventure series.

Recommended for grades 2 and 3.

Captioned and labelled photographs, word boxes, a diagram, and a map make the non-fiction portion of this book an accessible source of information for young readers.

Science Connections: Biodiversity, animal classification, food chains, life cycles, ecosystems, geology, and the connections between living and non-living things are some of the concepts included in this book.

Additional Information
24 Pages | 8" x 8" | ISBN: 978-1-77174-568-0 | Paperback

“The buzzing sound fades away when the bee flies off. The fawn twitches his large ears and looks about. He can hear trickling water close by. He walks to the far side of the meadow, down a rocky bank, and to a little creek below.”

This book uses both fiction and non-fiction as a unique approach to storytelling.

On left-hand pages, lyrical text and colourful illustrations tell a story of a young fawn’s early morning spring adventure. Using his senses, the fawn discovers the world around him while searching for his mother. Expertly woven into this delightful story are interesting facts about black-tailed deer and other plants and animals in a forest ecosystem.

Captioned and labelled photographs, word boxes, a diagram, and a map make the non-fiction portion of this book an accessible source of information for young readers.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the A Spring Adventure series.

Recommended for grades 2 and 3.

Captioned and labelled photographs, word boxes, a diagram, and a map make the non-fiction portion of this book an accessible source of information for young readers.

Science Connections: Biodiversity, animal classification, food chains, life cycles, ecosystems, geology, and the connections between living and non-living things are some of the concepts included in this book.

Additional Information
24 Pages | 8" x 8" | ISBN: 978-1-77174-565-9 | Paperback

“The fledgling lands in the dry leaves, cones, and twigs on the forest floor. He stops for a moment. He looks around. He is wondering about the little flowers on the kinnikinnick plants. Are they food? He hops up onto a nearby rock to take a closer look.”

This book uses both fiction and non-fiction as a unique approach to storytelling.

On left-hand pages, lyrical text and colourful illustrations tell a story of a young robin’s early morning spring adventure. Using his senses, the fledgling discovers the world around his nest. Expertly woven into this delightful story are interesting facts about robins and other plants and animals in a forest ecosystem.

Captioned and labelled photographs, word boxes, a diagram, and a map make the non-fiction portion of this book an accessible source of information for young readers.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the A Spring Adventure series.

Recommended for grades 2 and 3.

Captioned and labelled photographs, word boxes, a diagram, and a map make the non-fiction portion of this book an accessible source of information for young readers.

Science Connections: Biodiversity, animal classification, food chains, life cycles, ecosystems, geology, and the connections between living and non-living things are some of the concepts included in this book.

Additional Information
24 Pages | 8" x 8" | ISBN: 978-1-77174-566-6 | Paperback

A young boy, troubled by the state of the world, asks for his grandfather’s guidance. On his advice, the boy leaves for a Vision Quest on the land for four days and four nights. He receives teachings from the Grandfather Animals, who say how to walk on Mother Earth by following the Seven Sacred Laws. Now an Elder, Knowledge Keeper, and doctor, the boy shares the teachings with us in this beautiful story about walking the good life. In the accompanying DVD, The Seven Sacred Laws, Elder Dr. David Courchene expands on the story to a rapt audience in the Turtle Lodge.

Educator Information
Recommended by the publisher for grades 5 and under.

Comes with an accompanying DVD and Teacher’s Guide!

The powerful memoir of an Inuvialuit girl searching for her true self when she returns from residential school. 

Traveling to be reunited with her family in the Arctic, 10-year-old Margaret Pokiak can hardly contain her excitement. It's been two years since her parents delivered her to the school run by the dark-cloaked nuns and brothers. 

Coming ashore, Margaret spots her family, but her mother barely recognizes her, screaming, "Not my girl." Margaret realizes she is now marked as an outsider. 

And Margaret is an outsider: she has forgotten the language and stories of her people, and she can't even stomach the food her mother prepares. 

However, Margaret gradually relearns her language and her family's way of living. Along the way, she discovers how important it is to remain true to the ways of her people -- and to herself. 

Highlighted by archival photos and striking artwork, this first-person account of a young girl's struggle to find her place will inspire young readers to ask what it means to belong.

Sequel to Fatty Legs.

Reviews
"This memoir, detailing a woeful piece of Canadian history and demonstrating Margaret's strength of character, compassion, courage and her willingness to sacrifice herself for her family's sake, gives the reader a lot to ponder. Highly recommended." — Shelbey Krahn, Canadian Materials, February 2012

"A Stranger at Home will speak to anyone who has experienced displacement or assimilation into a new culture. This fabulous story enhances the Grades 6 to 8 social studies curriculum." — Professionally Speaking (Ontario College of Teache, April 2012

"While it may not have the same drama and tension of the first memoir, this tale provides a compelling and moving story of a girl searching for the strength to find her place in the world." — Jody Kopple, School Library Journal, December 2011

"Without being graphic or overwhelming, the Fentons recreate a tragic moment in Canadian history through the innocent reflections of a child...a must for any classroom library." — Canadian Teacher Magazine, May 2012

"This tale provides a compelling and moving story of a girl searching for the strength to find her place in the world. The writing is unpretentious and accessible and readers who enjoyed the first book will find this an interesting follow-up. Vivid paintings are a beautiful accompaniment to the storytelling. Photographs from Pokiak Fenton's own collection add important points of reference for readers looking to visualize the characters and the unique setting of the Arctic Circle. A welcome addition to biography collections." — Jody Kopple, School Library Journal, December 2011

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 9-13.

Guided Reading Level: Fountas and Pinnell U

Themes: biography; Inuit; Indigenous peoples; arctic; residential schools; identity; community; Canadian content; family; society; history; memoir.

This resource is also available in French: Étrangère chez moi

Additional Information
128 pages | 6.25" x 9.00"

Glashka is the only one in her village who can hear the voice of Narna, the whale. That gift leads her to great responsibility one day, when she discovers thousands of whales trapped in an inlet. The narrow route to the sea is rapidly icing over, and every day ice covers more of the open water the whales need to breathe. There seems to be no way out. . . . This story, based on an actual event, tells of a dramatic rescue--a tale of bravery and faith and the power of music.

Reviews
"During the winter of 1984-1985, nearly 3,000 beluga whales were trapped in the Senyavina Strait of Siberia--and saved by the bravery and persistence of villagers and the crew of a passing icebreaker. Schuch, a musician, turns this episode into a picture book by casting a child as heroine. Glashka has always been able to hear music in her head, and the ""old ones"" of the village tell her she hears ""the voice of Narna, the whale. Long has she been a friend to our people."" Glashka uses this talent to find the trapped whales and then to discover the secret of saving them. The plotting and diction are a little trumped-up, but on balance the text is tender and moving, and debut illustrator Sylvada's heavy oil paintings readily transport readers to the bitter winter days of Siberia. Emphasizing the changing light and the textures of characters' clothing instead of individual expressions, the illustrations cast a mood that reinforces the sober issues of the text." - Publisher's Weekly

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 4-7.

Additional Information
32 pages | 11.00" x 8.00"