Rhael McGregor

Rhael McGregor is a queer Métis, NonBinary/Two-Spirit artist and animator living in Toronto, Ontario. They work primarily in writing and drawing for comics and animation and this is their first time working on a Children's book! They love creating and working on stories that make people smile.

Authentic Canadian Content
Authentic Indigenous Text
Authentic Indigenous Artwork
Visions From the Fire: Dreams Vol. 2
$24.95
Format: Paperback
Grade Levels: 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781774920657

Synopsis:

A summer road trip takes a turn for the spiritual when Damon stumbles into a vision quest.

A bear and her cub, a strange silver ring, and an ancestor from long ago… Join Damon as he unravels these mysteries through a vision quest in this graphic novel for young adults.

For Damon Quinn, things have started to look up. He’s graduated high school, saved enough money to buy his first car, his old bully has kind of become a friend, and he and Journey are growing closer. Ready for adventure, Damon, his mom Marnie, and Journey take a road trip out to Kehewin Cree Nation to attend a Sweat Ceremony and a Powwow, as well as reconnect with family.

When Marnie learns of Damon's plan to meet up with his estranged father, the news sends shockwaves through the group. But Damon isn’t the only one keeping secrets. As Damon stumbles into a vision quest, he’ll discover more than he bargained for about his own history and the history his mother would prefer he never found out.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 13 to 18.

This is the second book in the Dreams series.

Big Ideas: Aspects of Indigenous Cultures: Spirituality and Ceremony, Aspects of Indigenous Cultures: Sweat Lodge, Contemporary Setting, Diverse and Inclusive Representation: Addiction, Diverse and Inclusive Representation: Depression and Suicide, Diverse and Inclusive Representation: Identity, Social Justice: Family Separation, Social Justice: Intergenerational Trauma, Social Justice: Impacts of Colonization and Colonialism

Additional Information
80 pages | 6.50" x 10.00" | 75 colour illustrations | Paperback

Authentic Canadian Content
Authentic Indigenous Text
Charlotte's New Moccasins
$21.99
Quantity:
Format: Hardcover
Grade Levels: Preschool; Kindergarten; 1; 2;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781623544966

Synopsis:

Charlotte has outgrown her moccasins! Still, there's nothing a trip to Grandma's can't fix in this heartwarming intergenerational story.

A sweet, celebratory picture book about family and culture by two debut Métis creators centered around Indigenous peoples' tradition of making moccasins, perfect for 3-7-year-olds.

Charlotte has outgrown her moccasins, so she and her Mom head to Grandma's for new ones. Grandma teaches Charlotte how to make her new mocs step-by-step, and she learns a valuable skill from her beloved elder in this heartwarming multigenerational story.

A contemporary celebration of Native culture, tradition, and family. A highly-relatable story for Indigenous kids and any kid that has ever outgrown their favorite thing to wear.

Back matter includes details about moccasins then and now, some additional facts about them, and information about how they have been made over time.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 11.31" | Hardcover 

Authentic Canadian Content
Authentic Indigenous Text
Authentic Indigenous Artwork
Little By Little: You Can Change the World
$22.95
Quantity:
Format: Paperback
Grade Levels: 4; 5; 6; 7;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781774920985

Synopsis:

The inspiring true story of how Indigenous activist Michael Redhead Champagne found his voice to create change in his community.

Michael might be young, but he’s got a big heart and a strong sense of right and wrong. He knows it’s right to help people when they need it—but what can he do when so many people need help?

When Michael finds out about an upcoming youth conference, he sees his chance. But when he gets to the conference, he’s the youngest person there! And the speaker on stage is saying things about his community that aren’t true. Will Michael be brave enough to use his voice to stand up for what he knows is right?

Little By Little is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel about how one person can spark change and inspire others.

Awards

  • 2025 Forest of Reading

Reviews
“A gentle, uplifting, and inspiring story about a gentle, uplifting, and inspiring person. In this little book, Michael teaches us and our future generations that anyone can be a change-maker by using their voice.” — Rosanna Deerchild, poet and CBC Radio host

"Here’s a touching story about Michael Redhead Champagne that will inspire children to help others, even in the simplest of ways." - Debra H., Elementary School Teacher, Indigenous Books for Schools

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Fountas & Pinnell T
Lexile Framework for Reading HL560L

Recommended in the Indigenous Books for Schools catalogue as being useful for grades 4 to 6 for Career Education, English Language Arts, and Social Studies.

Themes: Community, Diversity and Inclusion, Relationships, Respect, and Social Justice 

Additional Information
56 pages | 6.50" x 10.00" | Paperback

Authentic Canadian Content
Authentic Indigenous Text
Authentic Indigenous Artwork
Mortified
$21.99
Quantity:
Format: Hardcover
Text Content Territories: Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Cree (Nehiyawak);
Grade Levels: 3; 4; 5; 6; 7;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781443472203

Synopsis:

A sweet novel about facing your fears.

It’s nothing short of a catastrophe when someone secretly signs up Belinda Houle, the school’s shyest kid, to audition for a play.

Belinda turns to Sally—her unflappable best friend and resident witch—for help. Belinda doesn’t believe in magic, but if Sally says she has a spell for confidence...well, it couldn’t hurt to try it. Could it?

What follows the spell is a series of disasters so disastrous they would have been funny—if only they weren’t happening to Belinda! From eating dog food, to losing her hair in a straightening mishap, to wrecking a mural and ending up with globs of paint on her head, things get worse and worse for Belinda until she must face the facts: One piece of bad luck can be explained away, but this? This is a straight-up curse!

Can she break the curse before the dreamy Ricky Daniels takes notice of her crooked wig?

More importantly, can Belinda battle the very thing she hoped the spell would take away: her embarrassment?

Educator Information 
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Many of the moments in this book are based on the author's own experiences.

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

Authentic Canadian Content
Authentic Indigenous Text
Authentic Indigenous Artwork
Noodin's Perfect Day
$18.95
Quantity:
Format: Paperback
Text Content Territories: Indigenous Canadian;
Grade Levels: Preschool; Kindergarten; 1;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781999156251

Synopsis:

Noodin had their perfect day planned - until surprise babysitting interrupts their plans and sends them on an urban adventure!

When Noodin's perfect day is interrupted, they decide to strike out for adventure instead - spending the day with their human, animal, and tree cousins in the city. But will Noodin ever get the pancakes they're craving? Come along and find out!

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Noodin is a nonbinary urban Indigenous kid.

Themes: Urban Indigenous, Modern Family, Cousins, Babysitting, Adventure, Divorced Parents

Additional Information
28 pages | 10.75" x 8.25" | Paperback

Authentic Canadian Content
Authentic Indigenous Text
Authentic Indigenous Artwork
Touching Grass
$21.99
Quantity:
Format: Hardcover
Text Content Territories: Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Dene;
Grade Levels: 3; 4; 5; 6; 7;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781443472234

Synopsis:

From the author of the Governor General’s Award shortlisted, Silver Birch Award finalist Mortified, a funny, heartfelt middle-grade novel about a young gamer who is sent to “touch grass” at a Dene First Nation culture camp.

Tristen would do anything to avoid going outside. The bugs sting, the snakes are poisonous, the heat will kill you if the cold doesn’t, and bodies of water? Forget it. Tristen likes it best indoors, deep in his online world where it’s safe, with his online friends. Something he has a hard time with IRL.

But Tristen is in trouble at school again, and the principal is threatening to kick him out of this third school in two years. His mom believes the answer is to get Tristen off the games and in touch with nature and his Dene roots. This means Tristen has to spend a week to a culture camp in the wilderness. It’s his worst nightmare!

And at first it is a nightmare—no internet, no phone reception, no Bepsi!—and Tristen has no idea how to do any of the skills the other kids seem to do easily. But soon, with some surprising new friends and a few patient teachers, and a little help from technology, Tristen begins to think he might be able to hack this nature stuff after all.

Reviews
“I think it’s so important for kids to see themselves in books, and our area isn’t often included. I think kids from the north who read this will feel included. I think they will laugh when they read it. I sure did.”— Ronelda Robillard, Hatchet Lake Denesu?line´ First Nation, Treaty 10

"I am Dene, and I come from an Athabasca Dene community. I endorse Touching Grass. This book, with its themes of resilience, survival, and the importance of community, resonates deeply with the Saskatchewan community. . . . We would love kids everywhere to read it!” — Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth, Hatchet Lake Denesu?line´ First Nation, Treaty 10

"Reminiscent of Ruby Slipperjack's Little Voice and Lee Maracle's Will's Garden, Touching Grass is a story readers are going to love. If you're a fan of the Joey Pigza series, you'll feel right at home with Tristen with his innocent heart and sizzling energy. I loved every part of his journey. Wow. What a fun read." — Richard Van Camp, author of The Lesser Blessed and Beast

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Additional Information
336 pages | 5.50" x 8.25" | 30 b&w illustrations | Hardcover 

Strong Nations Publishing

2595 McCullough Rd
Nanaimo, BC, Canada, V9S 4M9

Phone: (250) 758-4287

Email: contact@strongnations.com

Strong Nations - Indigenous & First Nations Gifts, Books, Publishing; & More! Our logo reflects the greater Nation we live within—Turtle Island (North America)—and the strength and core of the Pacific Northwest Coast peoples—the Cedar Tree, known as the Tree of Life. We are here to support the building of strong nations and help share Indigenous voices.