Métis

Listening is a first step towards reconciliation. It's never too early to start. "Every child matters, including you and me. With our orange hearts, we walk in harmony." As a young child, your little world can be full of big feelings. In this book, I, Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day, show how sharing my story with the world helped me to process my feelings. My true story encourages young children to open their hearts when others share their feelings and be more comfortable sharing their own feelings, too.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 2 to 6.

This book is available in French in paperback: Avec nos coeurs oranges

This book is available in English in paperback: With Our Orange Hearts (PB)

Additional Information
24 pages | 8.15" x 8.25"  | Hardcover

Educator Information
You Are Sacred is a perfect read-aloud for children ages 3 to 6 in both classrooms and homes. 

Curriculum Connections:
Early Literacy – listening, reading, and discussing

Art – traditional Anishinaabe clothing and art

Health and Wellness – focusing on breath and balance, self-affirmation

Science – harmonious ecosystems, biodiversity of plants and animals with Indigenous cultural importance, environmental awareness

Social Responsibility – uplifting others and ourselves

Indigenous Knowledge and Traditions – teachings of the Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel, the Seven Generations, and All Our Relations 

Series Information
You Are Sacred is the first book in the All That You Are series. Through lyrical text and watercolour illustrations, this series shares the teachings of the Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel to remind children of their connection to the world around them. Each book is inspired by one quadrant of the Medicine Wheel that represents an aspect of wellness—Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, or Mental. A diagram of the Medicine Wheel is included at the back of the books. Anishinaabe Connections are also included to share more about Anishinaabe art, culture, and traditions explored in the text and illustrations.

You Are the Land is the second book in the series.

A percentage of proceeds from the All That You Are series is donated to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society to support their efforts in advocacy for justice and healing. To find out more information, please visit https://www.irsss.ca/.

Additional Information
24 Pages | 8" x 8" | Hardcover | ISBN: 978-1-77174-629-8

Andy has had a rough school year and is ready for summer vacation. But when Grandpa Rick tells him that he will be participating in a canoe journey instead of enjoying his usual summer activities, Andy feels he is being punished.

Join Andy as he experiences a Tribal Canoe Journey for the first time and learns what it’s like to belong to a canoe family. Follow along as Andy navigates physical and emotional challenges and finds an answer to the important question: “Who am I?”

Awards

• 2024-2025 Hackmatack Children's Choice Award Shortlisted 

Reviews
“Andy's Tribal Canoe Journey is a fantastic book to use for reading groups. We were able to have amazing discussions.… Students loved the pictures and the story. I hope to read this with as many students as possible.” – Holly Polischuk, Cayoosh Elementary School educator 

"This graphic novel highlights how First Peoples connect to their culture and honour their past. The first-hand perspectives of participants in the 2019 journey help showcase the human emotions and physical challenges it involves. Teachers across elementary and secondary levels can use this short graphic novel as a read-aloud in a classroom or literature circles to help students learn about Tribal Canoe Journeys. Students could also be invited to explore their own traditions and experiences, and the art in the book could inspire projects that are based on the illustrations in this story." – Focused Education Resources 

Educator Information
Recommended for grades 3 to 8.

Additional Information
72 Pages | 8" x 10" | Paperback | ISBN: 978-1-77174-600-7

Ants in my Pants is a story about a young Indigenous girl who struggles to focus. She has a hard time sitting still and loves to be active. The rhyming story goes through what a day in her life is like both at school and home. Through her struggles to focus, she begins to understand that she also has many strengths. Learn the tools and techniques that she uses to stay calm and to focus. A perfect book for students who struggle to focus.

Educator Information
Recommended for grades 1 to 4.

Keywords / Themes: Indigenous Inclusive Education; Focus; Self-Regulation; Personal Strengths

Additional Information
Pages: 20 | Paperback

Rooted in Indigenous teachings, this stunning picture book encourages readers of all ages to consider the ways in which they live in connection to the world around them and to think deeply about their behaviors.

Addressing environmental issues, animal welfare, self-esteem and self-respect, and the importance of community, the authors deliver a poignant and universal message in an accessible way: Be a good ancestor to the world around you. Thought-provoking stanzas offer a call to action for each one of us to consider how we affect future generations. Every decision we make ripples out, and we can affect the world around us by thinking deeply about those decisions.

Awards

• 2023 Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award
• 2023 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Awards - Children's Picture Book

Reviews
"Be A Good Ancestor is a story rooted in Indigenous teachings that ask readers to examine how they connect to the world around them and think deeply about their actions' consequences. The story looks at environmental issues, animal welfare, self-esteem and self-respect, and the importance of community making the delivery of a universal message accessible." - The Dalai Lama Center 

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

This book is available in French: Laisse un bel héritage.

Additional Information
32 pages | 10.00" x 8.50" | Hardcover

Additional Information
40 Pages | Author-signed copy 

CRITR provides dozens of lessons and 100s of questions covering important topics including: Indigenous Canadian History, Residential Schools, Indigenous Contributions past and present, Treaties, and Indigenous Days of Recognition in Canada.

This book is a collection of parts of the history of the Indigenous Peoples in Canada and of the process of reconciliation.  It is designed to educate all children and youth -- our future leaders -- about Indigenous history and current events.  It is intended to give a better understanding and to positively contribute to reconciliation.

Together, we must consider the past, the present, and the future in our efforts to better ourselves and future generations.

This book provides a wealth of high-quality articles and learning activities, consisting of units and lessons that can be used by anyone -- teachers, parents, students, business professionals -- who may have little or no prior knowledge or understanding of Indigenous Peoples or subjects.

In this book, you will meet real Indigenous Peoples speaking out and sharing their stories and their firsthand experiences, and you will clearly hear their passion for reconciliation.

This book is unique. The stories told within its covers are unique, just like everyone working through their own journey of understanding and doing their small part towards reconciliation.

“We need to pursue reconciliation consistently and passionately. Education has gotten us into this mess, and education will get us out. We see this as our challenge and our hope.” -The Honourable Senator Murray Sinclair

Educator Information
Recommended for grades 5 to 7.

CRITR Workbook Features

• Indigenous knowledge from different Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous perspectives.
• Dozens of lessons covering important topics including Residential Schools, Treaties, and Indigenous Contributions.
• Beautiful original art on the cover and throughout the book.
• An Indigenous worldview expressing people's need to develop themselves and their children, in a way that addresses their spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental gifts.
• An approach to the teaching and healing process that is interconnected and cyclical in nature.
• An introduction to readers of the concept of a "sacred circle," also known as a medicine wheel, as well as First Peoples' principles of learning in general terms.
• Words of encouragement.
• A balance between too much and too little content.
• Information and a layout to inform and inspire without overwhelming the teacher or the student, in the classroom or at home.
• Fresh insights and learning activities for key Indigenous events that are celebrated annually in schools and communities across the Nation.
• Critical thinking questions to inspire new learning.
• Activities for individuals and groups.
• The font in the grade 5 to 7 book is ideal for young readers ( Arial 13.5-point font). Additionally, the grade 5 to 7 book features shorter sentence structure for easy reading and comprehension. 
• A few activities and lessons featured in the grade 8 to 12 resource have been changed or removed in the grade 5 to 7 book due to the maturity level of the subject matter.  
• Grade-level appropriate word choices to help with improved vocabulary.

How is the CRITR workbook organized?

Each lesson follows this pattern:

• An easy-to-read lesson that may be read in under 5 minutes
• A vocabulary focus called Word Power that defines key words from the lesson
• A set of questions easily answered from the reading
• A Critical Thinking section is included to enhance learning
• Sprinkled throughout the CRITR Workbook are relevant individual and group activity recommendations.

Additional resources are identified throughout the pages with links, including information about how to connect with the Indigenous authors and artists.

Activities, colouring, and word search pages may be downloaded for free. An answer key is included at the end of the book.

What will students learn from this resource?

• Reconciliation is about change, justice, respect, and re-building the relationships between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples in Canada
• Indigenous History of Canada
• Empathy that comes from understanding and being educated
• Knowledge about important and sensitive topics, including stories told by Indigenous authors about what occurred at residential schools. It is important to know these stories of assimilation
• Capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect as prescribed specifically in CTA #63

Educator Information

Additional Information
176 Pages | 9" x 11.5" x 0.5" | Spiral Bound 

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 12+.

This is the third book in the Girl Called Echo (Elle s'appelle Echo) series, which includes the following titles:
Elle s'appelle Echo Tome 1: La guerre du Pemmican
Elle s'appelle Echo Tome 2: La résistance de la rivière Rouge
Elle s'appelle Echo Tome 3: La résistance du Nord-Ouest
Elle s'appelle Echo Tome 4: L'ère des réserves routières

This book is available in English: Northwest Resistance

Additional Information
50 Pages | Hardcover 

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 12+.

This is the fourth book in the Girl Called Echo (Elle s'appelle Echo) series, which includes the following titles:
Elle s'appelle Echo Tome 1: La guerre du Pemmican
Elle s'appelle Echo Tome 2: La résistance de la rivière Rouge
Elle s'appelle Echo Tome 3: La résistance du Nord-Ouest
Elle s'appelle Echo Tome 4: L'ère des réserves routières

This book is available in English: Road Allowance Era

Additional Information
50 Pages | Hardcover 

A beautifully illustrated collection of inspiring life stories of fifty extraordinary historical women from BC and the Yukon.

This fascinating, informative, and charming book introduces young readers to a diverse group of women who changed the face of history in unexpected ways and defied the expectations and gender norms of their times. Through charming illustrations and concise biographies, Her Courage Rises features social activists and politicians, artists and writers, scientists and healers, pioneers and prospectors, athletes and entrepreneurs, teachers and cultural tradition keepers.

These women represented all ages, walks of life, and backgrounds. Some, like Cougar Annie and shipwreck heroine Minnie Paterson, became legendary in popular culture, long after their deaths. Others, like politician Rosemary Brown, artist Emily Carr, and Olympic sprinter Barbara Howard, achieved fame during their lives. Still others, including photographer and cultural teacher Elizabeth Quocksister, artist and cultural consultant Florence Edenshaw, land claims activist and translator Jane Constance Cook (Ga’axsta’las), and language champion Barbara Touchie, made great strides in preserving and promoting Indigenous rights and cultures. And many, like environmentalist Ruth Masters, water diviner Evelyn Penrose, and Doukhobor pioneer Anna Markova, are less well-known but still made important contributions to their communities and our wider collective history.

Her Courage Rises is full of inspirational female role models and insights into the trailblazing women who made history in BC and the Yukon.

Reviews
"[An] extra-textual approach blended with rigorous traditional research allowed Healey and Fraser to create a fresh and unique historical document – one that not only gives fascinating detail, but manages to capture an ineffable humanity and relatability in even the most exceptional people profiled."
Quill & Quire

“This easily approachable book is a celebration of the achievements of fifty women who had the determination and strength of character to fashion new directions, sometimes despite great odds. Their stories represent hope and courage and serve as a reminder that women have always played a defining role in shaping their societies.”—Cathy Converse, author of Following the Curve of Time and Against the Current: The Remarkable Life of Agnes Deans Cameron

"Haley Healey has written another very important book highlighting the achievements of many women in history. This short book, beautifully illustrated by Kimiko Fraser, will be one to treasure in your favourite historical non-fiction collection."—Valerie Green, historian and author of If More Walls Could Talk: Vancouver Island’s Houses from the Past

“An engaging book that encourages the interest of young readers by providing a factual way in to explore diverse lives. By reframing unorthodox lives and breaking down stereotypes, the author highlights the resilience and determination of her subjects, made more tangible through the illustrations.”—Linda J. Eversole, author of Victoria Unbuttoned: A Red-Light History of BC's Capital City and Stella: Unrepentant Madam

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12+ 

Additional Information
128 pages | 7.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

Indig-Enough is a rhyming story that captures the author's journey in navigating and embracing her indigeneity, honouring her roots, and walking tall towards the future. This book can help guide young people in the exploration and the awareness of identity and intersectionality which can sometimes make it difficult to fit in and find their place.

Educator Information
Recommended by publisher for grades 3 to 7.

Additional Information
16 Pages 

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

The global ocean is in trouble. This beautiful and important book explores the issues --- and what we can do to help.

Though we think of Earth's five oceans as separate and distinct, they are actually a linked system of circulating water that is one single ocean --- the global ocean. This comprehensive and accessible overview explores the global ocean's enormous influence on the planet, as well as humans' often-detrimental influence on the ocean. But it also highlights some of the many ways people are working to restore and heal the global ocean --- from everyday actions to large institutional projects --- making the message of urgency as hopeful as it is accurate. Filled with fascinating information, stunning visuals and plenty of calls to action, readers will be inspired to discover what they can do to help heal Earth's most important feature and, ultimately, our planet.

Bestselling author Rochelle Strauss applies a positive, proactive approach to the urgent topics of climate change and ocean conservation in this gorgeous and unique depiction of the global ocean, based on the most current ocean science research. Engaging illustrations on every spread by award-winning Natasha Donovan are eye-catching and powerful. Examples of real people of all ages making a difference can be found in sidebars on each spread with more at the back of the book. Two sections list ways to help, one for children and one for the adults in their lives. There are many curriculum links in earth and life sciences, particularly in climate, environment, habitats, ecosystems and diversity of living things. Part of the CitizenKid series, this book encourages citizenship and engaging in the global community.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Part of the CitizenKid series.

Curriculum Links: Earth and Life Sciences; Diversity of Living Things; Ecosystem; Nature; Habitats; Climate; Earth Systems; Water; Envrionment 

Additional Information
36 pages | 9.30" x 11.45" | Hardcover 

Hoarders. Scavengers. Clever foragers. Bringers of new life.

Ravens have many roles, both for the land and in Gitxsan story and song. The sixth book in Hetxw'ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson)’s Mothers of Xsan series transports young readers to Northwestern British Columbia, where they will learn about the traditions of the Gitxsan, the lives of ravens, and why these acrobatic flyers are so important to their ecosystem.

Follow along as Nox Gaak, the raven mother, teaches her chicks what they need to survive with the help of her flock.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 11.

This book is part of the Mother of Xsan series, which uses striking illustration and lyrical language to bring the poetry of the Xsan ecosystem to life.

Additional Information
32 pages | 6.50" x 10.00" | Hardcover 

For more than 150 years, thousands of Indigenous children were taken from their families and sent to residential schools across Canada.

Artist Carey Newman created the Witness Blanket to make sure that history is never forgotten. The Blanket is a living work of art—a collection of hundreds of objects from those schools. It includes everything from photos, bricks, hockey skates, graduation certificates, dolls and piano keys to braids of hair. Behind every piece is a story. And behind every story is a residential school Survivor, including Carey's father. This book is a collection of truths about what happened at those schools, but it's also a beacon of hope and a step on the journey toward reconciliation.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Additional Information
112 pages | 7.50" x 9.00" | Hardcover