Richard Van Camp

The short stories celebrate healing through modern day rituals that honour ancestry. Powerful voices are spoken, a violent aboriginal gangster has an astonishing spiritual experience, a single mother is protected, and a group of young men pay tribute to a friend. Stories are set in the NWT, Vancouver, and rural BC.

Two award-winning voices.
Two stories on Reconciliation.
Two amazing covers.
One unforgettable book.

The Journey Forward, A Novella On Reconciliation:

When We Play Our Drums, They Sing!

by Richard Van Camp

This the story of 12-year-old Dene Cho, who is angry that his people are losing their language, traditions, and ways of being. Elder Snowbird is there to answer some of Dene Cho’s questions, and to share their history including the impact Residential schools continue to have on their people. It is through this conversation with Snowbird that Dene Cho begins to find himself, and begins to realize that understanding the past can ultimately change the future.

Tessa Macintosh’s wonderful photographs are featured on the cover and interior of this memorable story.



The Journey Forward, A Novella On Reconciliation:

Lucy & Lola

by Monique Gray Smith

Lucy and Lola are 11-year-old twins who are heading to Gabriola Island, BC, to spend the summer with their Kookum (grandmother) while their mother studies for the bar exam. During their time with Kookum, the girls begin to learn about her experiences in being sent — and having to send their mother — to Residential school. Ultimately, they discover what it means to be inter-generational survivors.

Award-winning illustrator Julie Flett created the amazing cover illustration and interior spot art that perfectly suit this engaging novella.

Educator Information
Recommended for Grades 5-8 for the following subject areas: English Language Arts, Social Studies.

A powerful coming-of-age story -- edgy, stark, and at times, darkly funny that centers around Larry, a Native teenager trying to cope with a painful past and find his place in a confusing and stressful modern world.

Larry is a Dogrib Indian growing up in the small northern town of Fort Simmer. His tongue, his hallucinations and his fantasies are hotter than the centre of the sun. At sixteen, he loves Iron Maiden, the North and Juliet Hope, the high school tramp.

In this powerful and very funny first novel, Richard Van Camp gives us one of the most original teenage characters in Canadian fiction. Skinny as spaghetti, nervy and self-deprecating, Larry is an appealing mixture of bravado and vulnerability. His past holds many terrors: an abusive father, blackouts from sniffing gasoline, an accident that killed several of his cousins, and he's now being hunted and haunted by a pack of blue monkeys. But through his new friendship with Johnny, a Métis who just moved to town, he's now ready to face his memories and his future.

The Lesser Blessed is an eye-opening depiction of what it is to be a young Dogrib man in the age of AIDS, disillusionment with Catholicism and a growing world consciousness.

Educator Information
Grades 11-12 BC English First Peoples resource for the unit What Creates Family?

Note: This novel contains mature content, such as depictions of violence and incidents of drug and alcohol use).

Additional Information
128 pages | 5.50" x 8.50"

Explore the past 150 years through the eyes of Indigenous creators in this groundbreaking graphic novel anthology. Beautifully illustrated, these stories are an emotional and enlightening journey through Indigenous wonderworks, psychic battles, and time travel. See how Indigenous peoples have survived a post-apocalyptic world since Contact.

Watch for new stories and familiar characters:

• Métis businesswoman Annie Bannatyne and Louis Riel
• Oka Crisis, Meech Lake Accord, and Kelowna Accord
• the Berger Inquiry into the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline
• Jack Fiddler, an Anishinaabe shaman charged as a serial killer
• Rosie, an Inuk girl coming of age during WWII
• wâpanacâhkos, an Indigenous woman sent back from the future to the early 2000s
• fishing raids and salmon wars in Listuguj, Quebec
• Francis Pegahmagabow, WWI sniper and veterans’ rights activist
• the impact of the Sixties Scoop and the child welfare system
• Chief Billy Assu and the potlatch bans in British Columbia

Reviews
Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair, one of the contributors to this work, says the book is, an “opportunity to shine a light on the stories most Canadians haven’t heard, to learn from Indigenous communities from 1867 to present day—whether these stories are influenced by the creation of Canada or not." 

"…breathtaking comics anthology…this mix of powerful storytelling and memorable illustrations is a place to begin a dialogue with Indigenous peoples in Canada." —The Globe and Mail

"The anthology is visually gorgeous. Each story is powerfully conveyed, reflecting a time and moment in the Indigenous history of Canada…great read for any age." —Quill & Quire, starred review

"This Place is the graphic novel I’ve waited my whole life for, and the graphic novel Canada has needed for 150 years. The stories contained within its pages are both beautifully rendered and vitally necessary. They represent a history not only largely untold and unknown, but one obscured, hidden from sight, so that other stories may occupy a privileged place in the defining a national story. Their importance is exquisitely captured on these pages, told by some the leading artists working today. This is an essential book, for comic fans, teachers and anyone who wants to learn the stories of this place we now share." —Jesse Wente, broadcaster and film critic

"A landmark collection of Indigenous comics that redraws how we understand the past, present, and future of Indigenous communities and cultures since Confederation. Each chapter immerses us in a gripping story about real people brought to life through vivid and affecting artwork. This collection proves the power of comics storytelling to create fresh pathways to knowledge and new ways of envisioning Indigenous experiences." —Candida Rifkind, University of Winnipeg

"This is the power of storytelling. It’s going deeper and truer than the history books and the newspaper accounts. It’s bringing the stories to the people for the people and doing it for the right reasons: to teach and to illuminate. This Place: 150 Years Retold is the dawn to a new storytelling tradition that doesn’t need to be held back. It should be shouted forward from now on." —Helen Kubiw, CanLit for LittleCanadians

Educator Information
This graphic novel is recommended for ages 15+.

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2019-2020 resource list for grades 7 to 12 for Art Education, English Language Arts, Law, and Social Studies.

These stories refer to real incidents and include graphic violence, abuse, and death.

A teacher's guide is available: This Place: 150 Years Retold Teacher Guide

Additional Information
250 Pages

Three young men—Flinch, Bryce, and Rupert—have vandalized their community and are sent by its Elders to live nine months on the land as part of the circle sentencing process. There, the young men learn to take responsibility for their actions and acquire the humility required to return home. But, when they do return, will they be forgiven for what they’ve done?

Three Feathers explores the power and grace of restorative justice in one Northern community and the cultural legacy that can empower future generations.

Three Feathers is the third title in The Debwe Series. Created in the spirit of the Anishinaabe concept debwe (to speak the truth), The Debwe Series is a collection of exceptional Aboriginal writings from across Canada.

Reviews
"Three Feathers is a graphic novel illustrated by stark, black and white images. Many of the frames have no captioning, inviting the reader to intuit the narrative. K. Mateus, the illustrator, makes imaginative use of Aboriginal symbols and motifs in this 48 page book; when Gabe is attacked, demonic figures shadow the background, and when Bryce rails at the members of the community sentencing circle, the image of an angry wildcat snarls behind him." - CM Magazine

Educator & Series Information
Grades 10-12 BC English First Peoples Resource for units on Childhood and Place-Conscious Learning.

Recommended for grades 9 to 12.

This book is part of The Debwe Series, which features exceptional Indigenous writings from across Canada.

This book is available in French: Trois Plumes

Additional Information
48 pages | 6.50" x 10.00"

Trois jeunes hommes – Flinch, Bryce et Rupert – ont vandalisé leur communauté. Ils sont envoyés par les Ainés vivre pendant neuf mois dans la brousse comme le veut le cercle de justice réparatrice. Là, les jeunes hommes apprennent à devenir responsables pour leurs actions et acquièrent l'humilité requise pour retourner à la maison.

Educator Information
This book is available in English: Three Feathers 

Richard Van Camp, reconnu à travers le monde à titre de conteur et d’auteur des ouvrages à succès Welcome Song for Baby et We Sang You Home, s’est associé à la grande illustratrice Julie Flett. Cet album cartonné destiné aux bébés et aux bambins rend hommage, avec tendresse, à l’enfant à l’intérieur de chacun. Grâce à ses illustrations contemporaines adorables, Tout petit toi est un ouvrage parfait pour être regardé, lu à voix haute ou même chanté à tous les petits qui vous entourent… ou qui partageront votre vie bientôt !

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 0-2.

This is the French translation of Little You.

This book is available in a dual-language hardcover format in English and Anishinaabemowin: Little You / Gidagaashiinh

Keywords: bébés, famille, nouveau-nés, poésie, autochtone.

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list as a French resource.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 8.00" | Hardcover

In this sweet and lyrical board book from the creators of the bestselling Little You, gentle rhyming text captures the wonder new parents feel as they welcome baby into the world. A celebration of the bond between parent and child, this is the perfect song to share with your little ones.

Internationally renowned storyteller and bestselling author Richard Van Camp teams up with award-winning illustrator Julie Flett for a second time to create a stunning board book for babies and toddlers.

Awards
- 2017 CCBC Best Books commendation

Reviews
"Both Van Camp's words and Flett's illustrations are economical, but We Sang You Home is not a quick read. Instead, each of the paired pages of text and illustration truly demands that the reader pause and reflect on the pages' contents. Highly recommended." — CM Magazine, June 2016

"The emotions of parenthood—including feelings of love, elation, and gratitude—are certain to be conveyed to [children] by the parents who share this tale with them. A lovely picture book that will resonate with parents and show young readers the profound, positive impact they have on their parents' lives." — School Library Journal, October 2016

"A great strength of this book is that it is nonspecific and inclusive enough to encompass all new babies—arriving through birth, fostering, or adoption—and it does not specify gender…The whole message is one of love, welcome, and completion now that the young one has joined the family. The eye-catching illustrations hint at a non-specific non-white race for the family (could be Asian, First Nations, Inuit, etc.), making this book inclusive and encompassing of Canada's ethnic diversity…It is a book of thankfulness and hope that would make a wonderful addition to the preschool collection in a library. Highly recommended." — Resource Links, October 2016

Educator Information
This book is available in a dual-language format: We Sang You Home / Ka Kîweh Nikamôstamâtinân

Available in Hardcover: We Sang You Home (HC)

Additional Information
26 pages | 7.00" x 7.00"

Authenticity Note: This story is meant to appeal to and honour a variety of families, not only Indigenous families.  This is why we have labelled it as not containing Indigenous text content; it may still work as an Indigenous text for your purposes, though, as the author and illustrator are in Indigenous.

A celebration of the bond between parent and child, this is the perfect song to share with your little ones.

In this sweet and lyrical picture book from the creators of the bestselling Little You, gentle rhythmic text captures the wonder new parents feel as they welcome baby into the world.

Internationally renowned storyteller and bestselling author Richard Van Camp teams up with award-winning illustrator Julie Flett for a second time to create a stunning book for young readers.

Reviews
"Both Van Camp's words and Flett's illustrations are economical, but We Sang You Home is not a quick read. Instead, each of the paired pages of text and illustration truly demands that the reader pause and reflect on the pages' contents. Highly recommended." — CM Magazine

"The emotions of parenthood—including feelings of love, elation, and gratitude—are certain to be conveyed to [children] by the parents who share this tale with them. A lovely picture book that will resonate with parents and show young readers the profound, positive impact they have on their parents' lives." — School Library Journal

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 2 and under.

This book is available in a board book format: We Sang You Home 

This book is available in a dual-language format: We Sang You Home / Ka Kîweh Nikamôstamâtinân

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 8.00" | Hardcover 

Authenticity Note: This story is meant to appeal to and honour a variety of families, not only Indigenous families.  This is why we have labelled it as not containing Indigenous text content; it may still work as an Indigenous text for your purposes, though, as the author and illustrator are in Indigenous.

In this sweet and lyrical book from the creators of the bestselling Little You, gentle rhythmic text captures the wonder new parents feel as they welcome baby into the world. A celebration of the bond between parent and child, this is the perfect song to share with your little ones.

Internationally renowned storyteller and bestselling author Richard Van Camp teams up with award-winning illustrator Julie Flett for a second time to create a stunning book for babies and toddlers.

Educator Information
This paperback book is a dual-language (English and Plains Cree) edition of the We Sang You Home board book.

Available in hardcover: We Sang You Home (HC)

Recommended for Grades K-2 for the following subject areas: English Language Arts, Indigenous Language, Social Studies.

"We Sang You Home is a gentle story about a parent's unconditional love for a child. The lullaby-style story is a great way to share connections between young readers and their adults." — The Dalai Lama Center

Additional Information
Translated by Mary Collins.

Authenticity Note: The text and images in this story are meant to appeal to and honour a variety of families, not only Indigenous families.  This edition's addition of the Cree translation makes it a wonderful resource for Indigenous language learning.

From renowned First Nations storyteller Richard Van Camp comes a lyrical lullaby for newborns. Complemented with stunning photographs, this evocative is perfectly suited as a first book for every baby.

Educator Information
This paperback book is a dual-language (English and Plains Cree) edition of the board book Welcome Song for Baby.

Recommended for Grades K-2 for these subjects: English Language Arts, Indigenous Language, Social Studies.

Additional Information
Translated by Mary Collins.

Authenticity Note: The images and text in this story are not specifically Indigenous. The addition of the Cree translation to this new edition, however, makes it a wonderful Indigenous language learning resource.

From renowned First Nations storyteller, Richard Van Camp comes a lyrical Lullaby for newborns. Complemented with stunning photographs, this evocative board book is perfectly suited as a first book for every baby.

Awards
- 2007 Toronto Public Library First & Best booklist commendation
- 2007 Resource Links "The Year's Best" long-listed
- 2008 Books for BC Babies winner winner
- 2008 Books for BC Babies winner

Reviews
"An excellent purchase for public libraries and a terrific gift for new parents! Highly recommended." — CM Magazine, January 2008

"This is a board book that toddlers will want to look at over and over just to see the expressions on the little ones." — NMRLS Youth Services Book Review, December 2008

Additional Information
24 pages | 7.00" x 7.00"

Authenticity Note: Because the images and text in this story are not specifically Indigenous, this book has been labelled as containing Non-Indigenous Content, in accordance with our Authenticity Guidelines. It is up to readers to determine if this book will work as an Indigenous resource for their purposes.