Nahanni Shingoose

Combining graphic fiction and non-fiction, this young adult graphic novel serves as a window into one of the unique dangers of being an Indigenous teen in Canada today. The text of the book is derived from excerpts of a letter written to the Winnipeg Chief of Police by fourteen-year-old Brianna Jonnie — a letter that went viral and was also the basis of a documentary film. In her letter, Jonnie calls out the authorities for neglecting to immediately investigate missing Indigenous people and urges them to "not treat me as the Indigenous person I am proud to be," if she were to be reported missing.

Indigenous artist Neal Shannacappo provides the artwork for the book. Through his illustrations he imagines a situation in which a young Indigenous woman does disappear, portraying the reaction of her community, her friends, the police and media.

An author's note at the end of the book provides context for young readers about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada.

Awards

• 2021 Indigenous Voices Awards winner for Published Graphic Novels, Comics, and Illustrated Books in any Language.

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 12 - 18. 

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list for grades 7 to 12 for use in these areas: English Language Arts, Social Justice, and Social Studies.

This book is available in French: Si je disparais

Additional Information
64 pages | 8.50" x 9.50" | 100+ 2-colour illustrations

Part Ojibwe and part white, River lives with her white mother and stepfather on a farm in Ontario. Teased about her Indigenous heritage as a young girl, she feels like she doesn't belong and struggles with her identity.

Now eighteen and just finished high school, River travels to Winnipeg to spend the summer with her Indigenous father and grandmother, where she sees firsthand what it means to be an "urban Indian."

On her family's nearby reserve, she learns more than she expects about the lives of Indigenous people, including the presence of Indigenous gangs and the multi-generational effects of the residential school system. But River also discovers a deep respect for and connection with the land and her cultural traditions. The highlight of her summer is attending the annual powwow with her new friends.

At the powwow after party, however, River drinks too much and posts photos online that anger people and she has her right to identify as an Indigenous person called into question.

Can River ever begin to resolve the complexities of her identity — Indigenous and not?

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12 to 18. 

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list for grades 8 to 12 in these areas: English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Career Education.

"Nahanni Shingoose is an elementary school teacher who understands the importance of Indigenous content being presented in an authentic manner" - Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021

Additional Information
216 pages | 5.50" x 8.50"

« Mon nom est Brianna Jonnie. J’ai quatorze ans. Je suis autochtone. J’ai plus de chances de disparaître que mes pairs »En 2016, Brianna a écrit une lettre ouverte de dénonciation pour sensibiliser le public à la négligence des services de police dans la recherche des femmes autochtones disparues.Si je disparais est un roman graphique coup de poing, basé sur une histoire vraie, ou plutôt sur trop d’histoires vraies.La disparition et le meurtre de femmes et de filles autochtones ne sont PAS uniquement des problèmes autochtones canadiens. Ce sont des tragédies qui relèvent des droits humains partout dans le monde.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12+

Traduit par: Nicholas Aumais 

This book is available in English: If I Go Missing

Additional Information
64 pages