Various Indigenous Artists

Renewal, the second book in the Footbridge series, guides K–12 educators in bringing Indigenous voices and the philosophy, principles, and practices of Indigenous land-based education into their teaching. This text encourages educators to:

• respectfully renew their own relationships with land directly engage students with the land, no matter where they are located
• guide students in learning through observation, listening, and discussion and to take action in response
• honour diverse ways of knowing and being
• understand historic injustices and engage with the contemporary Land Back movement

Through critical engagement with diverse written and visual works created by Indigenous leaders, land defenders, scholars, and Knowledge Keepers, experienced educators Christine M'Lot and Katya Adamov Ferguson support readers in connecting with Indigenous perspectives on land and water. They offer guidance on bringing Indigenous works into the classroom, including concrete ways to facilitate discussions around land-based topics, advice for land-based activities, and suggestions for how students can engage with these topics through inquiry learning.

In this resource, you will find:

• prompts for individual reflection and group discussion
• valuable concepts and methods that can be applied in the classroom and beyond
• practical action steps and resources for educators, parents, librarians, and administrators

Use this book as a springboard for your own learning journey or as a lively prompt for dialogue within your professional learning community.

Reviews
"Renewal lays out a simple and practical approach to land-based education. It works from the premise that land-based education is not simply “taking the classroom outside,” but is about "education on the land, about the land, and from the land.” The spiritual foundation of earth-based cultures is about living in your place as one small, equal part of the land (land being the entirety of air, earth, water, living beings, and spirits), a foundation common to most Indigenous cultures on this planet. I hope that others adopt it in their journey to become more holistic educators and maybe even make a positive difference in shaping how we humans interact with the land." — Dr. Garry Merkel, Director, Centre of Indigenous Land Stewardship, The University of British Columbia

Educator & Series Information
For use with grades K to 12.

This book is part of The Footbridge Series. This series aims to bridge curricular outcomes with Indigenous-centered content and perspectives from across Turtle Island. Like a footbridge, this series is intended to provide a path between Indigenous worldviews and the classroom, engaging differences, including tensions, and highlighting the importance of balance, all while helping teachers integrate Indigenous perspectives into multiple disciplines within the K-12 education system. 

Contributions by Nicki Ferland, Peatr Thomas, Tyna Legault Taylor, Shannon Webb-Campbell, Tasha Beeds, Sonny Assu, Shalan Joudry, Tricia Logan, Dakota Bear, Shirli Ewanchuk, Dan Henhawk, Réal Carrière, Hetxw'ms Gyetxw Brett D. Huson, Reanna McKay (Merasty)

Photographs by Inuksaq Angotingoar, Makayla Aupaluktuq, Brendan Kingilik, Carina Kingilik, Kyle Lareau, Quin Mikkungwak, Narkyagik, Kaylee Rumbolt, Marissa Scottie, Nathan Snow, Connor Tagoona-Niego, Koen Tapatai, and Shelly Tunguaq

Additional Information
224 pages | 7.00" x 10.00" | Paperback

Each page offers traditional and cultural insights into the natural and supernatural worlds. Thought-provoking questions are intended to deepen personal development and our relationships with others. The corresponding animal on the next page allows readers to take the time to further reflect and connect with their creativity as they colour in the animals.

Additional Information
32 Pages

A major publication, Worlds on Paper: Drawings from Kinngait features over 150 never-before-seen original drawings by internationally renowned Inuit artists from Kinngait (Cape Dorset).

In 1990, the celebrated printmaking studio in Kinngait (Cape Dorset) transferred their complete drawings archive to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Ontario for safekeeping. The McMichael recently completed the digitization of this invaluable treasury of works, making it accessible to communities across the Arctic as well as to the wider public.

Worlds on Paper, an exhibition led by Inuit curator Emily Laurent Henderson, explores the profound impact and importance of drawing in Kinngait, not just as a precursor to printmaking, but as a vital and enduring discipline in its own right. This groundbreaking Inuit-led publication includes essays by Susan Aglukark, Kyle Aleekuk, Mark Bennett, Napatsi Folger, Jamesie Fournier, Janice Grey, Jonas Laurent Henderson, Jessica Kotierk, Nicole Luke, Malayah Maloney, Aghalingiak Ohokannoak, Jocelyn Piirainen, Krista Ulukuk Zawadski, and others, and explores the transition from traditional life on the land to 21st century community living.

Kinngait is renowned internationally for printmaking but an exploration of the drawings archive reveals careers previously overlooked while also allowing established artists to be seen in a new light. Dreaming Forward provides a richer understanding of the creativity that blossomed in Kinngait over four decades, as the print making studio rose to international renown. This publication animates the legacy of Kinngait Studio and its role in generating, nurturing, and promoting artists who continue to challenge expectations and provoke fresh understandings.

Additional Information
320 pages | 10.00" x 11.00" | 200 colour artwork and archival photographs | Hardcover 

A first of its kind, Pacific Northwest Indigenous Art Activity Book features playful educational activities for children. Each page features original Indigenous art alongside fun and challenging activities intended to develop reading, writing, colouring, and problem solving skills.

Additional Information
24 pages 

Two legged and four legged beings are beautifully illustrated and cultural meanings provided from the: Nuxalk, Namgis, Coast Salish, Kwakwaka'wakw, Haisla, Heiltsuk, Haida, Bella Bella, Tsimshian, Kwa Na Ki Nulth and Nuchatlaht Nations.

Two legged and four legged beings are beautifully illustrated and cultural meanings provided from the: Nuxalk, Namgis, Caost Salish, Kwakwaka'wakw, Haisla, Heiltsuk, Haida, Bella Bella, Tsimshian, Kwa Na Ki Nulth and Nuchatlaht Nations.

Some of the contributors include: Cranmer, Ryan; Horne Sr., Francis; Windsor, Paul; Bulpitt, Corey; Young, T.J.; Houstie, Ben; Isaac, Eugene; Moraes, Corey W.;  Starr, Terry; John, Rose Elsie

“Be careful of what you accept from spirits.”

Loup Garrou, trickster rabbits, and spirits with names that can’t be spoken — the plains and forests of North America are alive with characters like these, all waiting to meet you in this collection of folklore retold in comics!

Reviews
"Enjoyable for reading aloud or sharing around a campfire." -- KIRKUS

"Explores the stories, passed down through generations, of the people who have inhabited Turtle Island since time immemorial." - Women Write About Comics 

Educator Information
Comic book recommended for ages 10 to 12.

The book features more than 100 pages of entertaining and educational stories by artists and writers from Indigenous nations across the continent, including:

•  “As It Was Told to Me”, a creation tale that shows that the world needs good and bad to exist, which is written and illustrated by Elijah Forbes, a transgender Odawa illustrator who has facilitated the creation of illustration projects such as the 2020 “Trans Awareness Week.”
   
• “Chokfi,” the story of the trickster rabbit, who is jealous of Otter's fur coat and tries to steal it, by writer Jordaan Arledge, a trans Chickasaw comic writer and the founder of Arledge Comics, and  artist Mekala Nava.
   
• “White Horse Plains”, a cautionary tale about greed that comes from the Métis settlement St. Francois Xavier, as told by Rhael McGregor, a Non-Binary/Two-Spirit Métis comic artist and animator from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
   
• “Rougarou” by Mystery Solving Lesbians writer Maija Ambrose Plamondon and Métis-based artist Milo Applejohn, about a werewolf-like creature that haunts the Métis communities.
   
• “Agonjin In the Water” by the non-binary Ojibawe artist Alice RL, about a girl whose tribe is suffering from a drought and finds a Mishipeshu while searching for water.
   
• “Woman in the Woods” by the Cuban Taíno artist and storyteller Mercedes Acosta about a curious girl who sees a mysterious figure in the woods at night.
   
• “Into Darkness” by Izzy Roberts, a Michigan-based illustrator and a member of the Navajo Nation and Kinyaa’áanii clan, about a creature so dangerous and scary that no one dares utter its name.

Additional Information
120 pages | 6.06" x 9.04" | Black and white throughout | Paperback 

8.5” x 11”, 32 pages
soy-based ink and non-toxic coatings
premium paper perfect for colouring

Salish Sea Animal Flash Cards.

• Includes 24 flashcards with cultural teachings
• Featuring the work of 11 contributing Coast Salish artists
• Soy-based ink and water-based protective coating
• Measures 5.5" x 7" x 1.75", made from paper sourced from sustainable forests

Contributing Artists: Darrell Thorne Doug Horne Doug LaFortune Erica Joseph Francis Horne Sr. Joe Wilson-Sxwaset lessLIE Maynard Johnny Jr. Simone Diamond Terry Horne

Text by: Melaney Gleeson-Lyall, Musqueam, Coast Salish

Explore the wonders of Indigenous wildlife with this Magnetic Animals set, perfect for children aged 3 and up and featuring art from Indigenous artists.

This set includes 2 magnetic pads featuring vibrant designs and a 14” x 10” play scene (7” x 10” folded booklet).

Wander in the forest with this themed set that promotes storytelling and enhances fine motor skills.

Made with child-safe, non-toxic inks, CPC certified, and responsibly sourced paper, our products ensure a safe and eco-friendly playtime experience. Produced in a BSCI certified workplace, these sets are a delightful way to inspire creativity and learning.

Additional Information

• Measurements: Play scene size: 14" x 1-" (folded into 7" x 10" booklet)
• Materials: FSC Paper, Magnet

Explore the wonders of Indigenous wildlife with this Magnetic Animals set, perfect for children aged 3 and up and featuring art from Indigenous artists.

This set includes 2 magnetic pads featuring vibrant designs and a 14” x 10” play scene (7” x 10” folded booklet).

Dive into the Salish Sea with this themed set that promotes storytelling and enhances fine motor skills.

Made with child-safe, non-toxic inks, CPC certified, and responsibly sourced paper, our products ensure a safe and eco-friendly playtime experience. Produced in a BSCI certified workplace, these sets are a delightful way to inspire creativity and learning.

Additional Information

• Measurements: Play scene size: 14" x 1-" (folded into 7" x 10" booklet)
• Materials: FSC Paper, Magnet

Explore the wonders of Indigenous wildlife with this Magnetic Animals set, perfect for children aged 3 and up and featuring art from Indigenous artists.

This set includes 2 magnetic pads featuring vibrant designs and a 14” x 10” play scene (7” x 10” folded booklet).

Soar in the sky with this themed set that promotes storytelling and enhances fine motor skills.

Made with child-safe, non-toxic inks, CPC certified, and responsibly sourced paper, our products ensure a safe and eco-friendly playtime experience. Produced in a BSCI certified workplace, these sets are a delightful way to inspire creativity and learning.

Additional Information

• Measurements: Play scene size: 14" x 1-" (folded into 7" x 10" booklet)
• Materials: FSC Paper, Magnet

Have fun learning and playing through First Nations art.

Contributions from Indigenous artists.

Additional Information
Includes 48 tiles.

Box measures 7.75 in x 5 in x 2 in.

Made with non-toxic, soy-based inks.