Indigenous Peoples

Iskwew Pithasew nitisithikason. My name is Lady of the Thunderbird, and this is my story.

It takes courage and bravery to survive in the barrens.

In 1944, thirteen-year-old Ilse Schweder got lost in a snowstorm while checking her family's trapline in northern Canada. This is the harrowing story of how a young Indigenous girl defies the odds and endures nine days alone in the unforgiving barrens. Ilse faces many challenges, including freezing temperatures, wild animals, snow blindness and frostbite. With no food or supplies, she relies on Traditional Indigenous Knowledge passed down from her family. Ilse uses her connection to the land and animals, wilderness skills and resilience to find her way home.

This powerful tale of survival is written by Ilse Schweder's granddaughter.

Reviews
“Colorful illustrations in classic comic-book style help readers explore the challenging landscape. An excellent choice for a book report and good addition to a children’s nonfiction collection.”- School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: T 

Lexile measure: GN700L 

Guided Reading Level: T

Additional Information
96 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

Un plan de lecon de l'enseignant pour approfondir le livre, Ma petite Ogichidaa. Peut inclure des questions de compréhension, des activités de groupe, des amorces de conversation, des quiz, des activités d’arts du langage et des pages à colorier. L’histoire Ma petite Ogichidaa est inspirée par la maternité autochtone. Elle nous invite à découvrir les rêves et les espoirs fascinants d’une mère autochtone pour sa petite guerrière qui naîtra bientôt. Le mot Ogichidaa signifie guerrier/guerrière en anishinaabemowin et ce livre magnifiquement illustré rend hommage à toutes les familles autochtones qui élèvent fièrement leurs enfants pour qu’ils perpétuent leur culture, leur langue et leur amour avec résilience, force et gentillesse. Cette histoire réconfortante et inspirante célèbre l’amour autochtone et le puissant héritage qu’il crée.

Educator Information
Recommended for use with ages 7 to 10.

Find the student resource here: Ma petite Ogichidaa: une berceuse autochtone

This lesson plan is available in English: My Little Ogichidaa Teacher Lesson Plan

Additional Information
15 pages | 6.31" x 5.93" | Paper Packet

L’histoire Ma petite Ogichidaa est inspirée par la maternité autochtone. Elle nous invite à découvrir les rêves et les espoirs fascinants d’une mère autochtone pour sa petite guerrière qui naîtra bientôt. Le mot Ogichidaa signifie guerrier/guerrière en anishinaabemowin et ce livre magnifiquement illustré rend hommage à toutes les familles autochtones qui élèvent fièrement leurs enfants pour qu’ils perpétuent leur culture, leur langue et leur amour avec résilience, force et gentillesse. Cette histoire réconfortante et inspirante célèbre l’amour autochtone et le puissant héritage qu’il crée.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

This book is available in English: My Little Ogichidaa: An Indigenous Lullaby

Find a lesson plan for this book here: Ma petite Ogichidaa Plan de cours

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.43" x 11.22" | Hardcover 

Learn all about the process of making rope from bearded seal skin! Rope is a very useful tool and is used by Inuit for many things. From removing the blubber to hanging the rope to dry, this introductory guide takes readers through a step-by-step process for making rope from bearded seal skin.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Making Rope Out of Bearded Sealskin gives simple, step-by-step instructions on how to make rope out of bearded sealskin and describes other things Inuit make out of sealskin.

Additional Information
24 pages | 8.00" x 10.00" | Paperback

Uncover the Terrifying Intersection of History and Horror

Imagine a chilling horror collection that weaves classic monsters like werewolves and vampires with the true horrors of colonialism, domestic violence, and displacement. Man Made Monsters, by acclaimed Cherokee writer Andrea Rogers, delivers.

Follow a Cherokee family across centuries, from their ancestral lands in 1830s Georgia to the battlefields of World War I and Vietnam, and beyond. Each story offers a chilling glimpse into a different era, revealing how history's monsters intertwine with the supernatural.

Man Made Monsters is a powerful exploration of identity and the enduring legacy of colonization. Rogers masterfully blends Cherokee legends with chilling horror, creating unforgettable characters and monsters.

Each story is accompanied by haunting illustrations from Cherokee artist Jeff Edwards, incorporating the Cherokee syllabary for a truly immersive experience.

Don't miss out on this masterpiece! Man Made Monsters will stay with you long after the last page.

Reviews
“Man Made Monsters is a brilliant and expansive journey across time, seen through a Cherokee lens, written by the brilliant and essential voice of Andrea Rogers. This collection is full to the brim with voice and breadth, including but not limited to magic, horror, and fantasy. The book is fun, funny, and dead-serious. It is beautifully written, and it is full of monsters.” - Tommy Orange

"Although each of Cherokee author Rogers’ stories could stand alone (and versions of some were previously published individually), placing them in chronological order and thus in dialogue with each other results in a thematically richer read and allows readers the delight of tracing the family trees in the frontmatter to situate the characters in relation to other protagonists. " - Kirkus Reviews

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12 to 18 by the publisher.

Additional Information
336 pages | 6.02" x 9.00" | Paperback 

Help your child power up their reading skills and learn all about the amazing life of Matoaka, better known today as Pocahontas, with this fun-filled nonfiction reader carefully leveled to help children progress.

This book tells readers the true story of this iconic American’s young life among the Pamunkey and later in Europe with her English husband. It is a motivating introduction to using essential nonfiction reading skills, proving ideal for children ready to enter the riveting world of reading.

Educator Information
Recommended for grades 2 and 3 (ages 7 to 9).

This book is a Level 2 DK Super Reader. These books take children on a journey through the wonderful world of nonfiction: traveling back to the time of dinosaurs, learning more about animals, exploring natural wonders and more, all while developing vital nonfiction reading skills and progressing from first words to reading confidently.

These books can help children practice reading by:

- Covering engaging, motivating, curriculum-aligned topics.
- Building knowledge while progressing Grades 2 and 3 reading skills.
- Developing subject vocabulary on topics such as the events and achievements in the life of Matoaka.
- Boosting understanding and retention through comprehension quizzes.

Each title, which has been leveled using MetaMetrics®: The Lexile Framework for Reading, integrates science, geography, history, and nature topics so there’s something for all children’s interests. The books and online content perfectly supplement core literacy programs and are mapped to the Common Core Standards. Children will love powering up their nonfiction reading skills and becoming reading heroes.

Additional Information
32 pages | 5.94" x 9.00" | Paperback 

Whether or not you're Métis, there's so much to experience and learn about this amazing Indigenous culture — take a picture book journey into Métis crafts, music and cooking with friends who love to share.

Are you Métis like me? A group of children of Métis descent share and explore all the ways they celebrate and experience their heritage — enjoying traditional foods like bannock bread and Saskatoon berries; crafting with beads; sharing stories, dance, music and songs. Each child shares a different way they enjoy honoring their backgrounds and weaving parts of the rich tapestry that makes up Métis culture. One child, though, has grown up disconnected from their history, and can't join in with the others in the same way. But they soon see it's never too late to learn, celebrate or become a part of a community in which Métis and non-Métis alike can discover the richness of an often-overlooked culture.

This rhythmic, jubilant book will encourage young readers of all backgrounds to celebrate their own heritage and learn more about Métis history, and contains back matter including an author's note, recipe and dictionary to further inspire.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

This book is available in French: Nous sommes Métis.

Additional Information
40 pages | 9.43" x 9.31" | Hardcover

The Metis peoples have a rich and expansive history here in Canada and beyond. Learn more about their hertiage, teachings, traditions which have traveled generations and generations.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Indigenous Nations in North America series.

Additional Information
32 Pages | Paperback

The Mi'kmaq have many practices in their culture which make them unique. Discover more about the people and nation through Mi'kmaq author Corinne Chappell.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Indigenous Nations in North America series.

Additional Information
32 Pages | Paperback

This board book presents the months of the Mi’kmaw lunar calendar to very young children and their parents. Mi’kmaw artist Loretta Gould’s art illustrates each of the 12 Mi’kmaw moons through the changing seasons in Mi’kma’ki. Each month is named after events in the natural world – from Snow Blinding Time through Frogs Croaking Time and Berry Ripening Time. Each month’s illustration is accompanied by its name in Mi’kmaw and English.

Loretta Gould’s art, first published in Mi’kmaw Moons: A First Lunar Calendar has won high praise from reviewers, and the book has received numerous awards.

Educator Information
For ages 2 to 5.

Includes names of the months in English and Mi'kmaw.

This is the board book version of Mi'kmaw Moons: The Seasons in Mi'kma'ki.

Additional Information
6.53" x 6.53" | Board Book

À quelques jours du début de l’école en territoire, Lora raconte à sa petite sœur, Mikuniss, l’histoire entourant son prénom. Avec Mikuniss, ma petite sœur, Joannie Gill nous offre le premier de trois albums sur les prénoms décolonisés.

Educator & Series Information
Juvenile Fiction

This book is part of the Petit tonnerre series.

This book is about a curious kitty who gets to experience her first time sweetgrass picking with her mom.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 6.

Additional Information
28 pages | 9.25" x 7.28" | Paperback

How did you get your name? Who named you? Why were you given your name? How do we name our children? Using the traditional practice of naming children, this first story about Moonbeam is the story of how she got her name. She tags along with her mother Morning Star to deliver a baby and she tries to guess the new baby’s name.

Awards

• 2020 Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Literacy Award for Outstanding Effort in Indigenous Literacy winner
• 2023 Lieutenant-Governor's Award for High Achievement in the Arts

Reviews
“This altogether lovely story takes us into the heart of family and community. The naming of things is the claiming of things. The arrival and naming of a child is celebration!” - Sheree Fitch – Canadian Author

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 10.

This book is the first book in the Moonbeam series, followed by Moonbeam Meets the Medicine Man.

Additional Information
28 pages | 7.28" x 9.25" | Paperback | 2nd Edition 

Traditionally, the Medicine Man was a healer that people in the village would consult in times of spiritual or physical need. When Moonbeam starts to have nightmares, her friends introduce her to the Medicine Man who gives her a helpful gift.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

This book is part of the Moonbeam series, following the first book Moonbeam.

Additional Information
6" x 9" | Hardcover

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