Indigenous Peoples

A gorgeous picture book that pays homage to aviator Freddie Carmichael — the first Indigenous commercial pilot in the Arctic —with each month of the year highlighting moments from his life, the beauty of the North and the power of dreams.

When Freddie was young, he saw a plane up close for the first time when it dropped off supplies at his family’s remote bush camp. He was instantly hooked.

Freddie has flown for nearly seventy years, doing everything from supply runs to search and rescue to transporting dog teams to far-flung areas.

This book celebrates Freddie’s early dreams of flying and his later achievements. Readers move with Freddie through the year, hearing about his journey as a pilot and leader, while learning the names of the months in Gwich’in and Inuvialuktun at the same time. Art from Inuvialuit painter Audrea Loreen-Wulf perfectly captures the incredible Western Arctic as well as Freddie’s love for aviation.

Reviews
"The story of an Indigenous boy who dreamed of taking to the sky unfolds across the year in this picture-book biography that draws on Gwich’in language, the power of an unshakable passion, and, as rendered in the gorgeous painted illustrations, the beauty of nature." —Booklist

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Additional Information
32 pages | 11.31" x 8.25" | Hardcover

A young girl spends the summer at her grandmother’s home on the Standing Rock Reservation in this heartwarming family story from acclaimed author-artist S. D. Nelson

Now that Clara is almost in third grade, she’s finally old enough to spend her first summer away from home visiting her grandma, Unci, and her cousin at their home in Standing Rock Reservation. To welcome her visit, Uncle Louie brings an extra-special surprise in his pickup truck: the tipi that’s been passed down through their family for generations. The girls learn how to stack the poles and wrap the canvas covering around them, how to paint spirit pictures on its walls, and how the circle of the tipi tells its own story, reminding us to how to live in the great Circle of Life. Over long days spent playing outside, doing beadwork together, telling stories, singing songs, and sleeping under the stars, the tipi brings the family closer together. As summer draws to an end, goodbye comes all too soon, but Clara will always cling to the memories of summer days and starry nights . . . and Grandma’s tipi.

Reviews
"Nelson (Standing Rock Sioux) depicts his people’s customs with reverence…When Clara’s time on the Standing Rock Reservation comes to an end, the rich lessons of her heritage stay with her—just as they will with young readers, who will be drawn in by both Nelson’s moving narration and glowing images."— Kirkus

“Nelson’s vibrant illustrations are stylized to reflect Lakota ledger drawings. He effortlessly blends this art style into his realistic, authentic depictions of modern Lakota life."— The Horn Book Magazine

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
40 pages | 9.00" x 10.00" | Hardcover

A grandmother’s sudden departure leaves her family with an even more puzzling, and wondrous, surprise in this enchanting story from the National Book Award–winning author—at last back in print!

Grandmother was a mysterious woman. She could heal with a touch (or with a cup of very bitter tea) or scare off a vicious dog with a look. But when she hitches a ride to Greenland on a passing porpoise, her family is still surprised—and then concerned. The mystery deepens when, among Grandmother’s collection of birds’ nests, the family discovers a clutch of eggs hatching. Out pop three passenger pigeons—birds of a species long extinct, supposedly.

Through the words of a curious grandchild, and Jim LaMarche’s evocative artwork, Grandmother’s legacy unfolds in these pages in all its peculiarity and charm. Mixing whimsy and gravity with a little science and history, the tale of the family’s loss, and marvelous find, summons a world as intriguing as it is perfectly clear—a world animated by Louise Erdrich’s storytelling magic, inviting readers young and old to follow Grandmother, and to wonder.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 9.

Additional Information
32 pages | 11.00" x 8.50" | Hardcover 

A Little Golden Book based on the exciting new Netflix preschool animated series Spirit Rangers!

Kodi, Summer, and Eddy are putting on a Hoop Dancing Show at Xus Park! But first, the kids head to the Spirit Park to learn how to hoop dance from the spirits and discover that you can never skip the basics and that practice makes perfect!

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 2 to 5.

Kids ages 2 to 5 will love this Little Golden Book about patience and practice based on the Netflix show Spirit Rangers, complete with beautiful full-color illustrations!

Created by Samala Chumash descendent, Karissa Valencia, Spirit Rangers is a fantasy-adventure preschool series following Native American sibling trio Kodiak, Summer and Eddy Skycedar, who have a shared secret—they’re Spirit Rangers! Spirit Rangers protect every crook, cranny and critter of Spirit Park. With the blessing of the Chumash and Cowlitz tribes, we’ll join the Skycedar kids on their amazing adventures with spirits inspired by Indigenous stories.

Additional Information
24 pages | 6.63" x 8.00" | Hardcover

Pauloosie loves his pet rock, Miki Rock. Pauloosie’s Anaana, his mother, tells him a bedtime story about what Miki Rock sees, hears, and feels in his Arctic home. As part of the land, Miki Rock sees char and beluga, listens to chirps and howls, and feels the snow and sun.

Through lyrical text and ethereal landscape illustrations by Pelin Turgut, readers are taken on an Arctic journey from the point of view of a most unlikely object—a child’s pet rock.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Recommended in the Indigenous Books for Schools catalogue as a valuable resource for English Language Arts and Science for K to 2.

Themes: Animals, Land, Respect, Arctic, Connection to Nature

Additional Information
28 pages | 9.00" x 9.50" | Hardcover

Two sisters have waited all spring and summer to pick berries with their ningiuq, their grandmother. They've gone fishing, dug for clams, and by the time late summer arrives, it's finally time for berries!

Ninguiq and the girls head out to pick berries, rain or shine—nothing will stop Ningiuq! Through driving rain and early autumn snow the girls and Ningiuq pick as many sweet berries as their buckets can hold. The hard work is all worth it to enjoy the delicious treats Ninguiq creates with her berries.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Additional Information
28 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

Johnny Eagle and The Seven Teachings is a story about Love. Let’s learn the Seven Teachings! Each story has simple and repetitive words. These Early Learner stories are for young children.

Educator & Series Information
Early Learner story.  The publisher recommends this title for kindergarten to grade 4.

This book is part of The Seven Teaching series.

Additional Information
Paperback

In this lyrical picture book by Kim Rogers (Wichita), with illustrations by Boston Globe-Horn Book Honoree Julie Flett (Cree-Métis), Becca watches her grandma create, play, and dance—and she knows that she wants to be just like Grandma.

Becca loves spending time with Grandma. Every time Becca says, “Let me try,” Grandma shows her how to make something beautiful.

Whether they are beading moccasins, dancing like the most beautiful butterflies, or practicing basketball together, Becca knows that, more than anything, she wants to be just like Grandma.

And as the two share their favorite activities, Becca discovers something surprising about Grandma.

Educator Information
Features an author’s note and glossary.

Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 11.00" | Hardcover

When searching for berry bushes, Nala becomes lost, alone in the forest! Fortunately, Mama Sasquatch hears her cries and keeps her safe through the night. The following day, Nala learns how Mama and Baby Sasquatch live in the forest away from people, and why.

Both a charming and soothing story for young children, Mama Sasquatch provides mesmerizing painted illustrations from Ditidaht First Nation artist and author Eva Swift.

Educator Information
Recommended for grades K-3.

Mama Sasquatch was inspired by the author/illustrator's personal experience of seeing a Sasquatch.

This book is available in French: Mama Sasquatch (French).

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

In this bilingual book, an Anishinaabe child explores the story of a precious mnoomin seed and the circle of life mnoomin sustains.

Written in Anishinaabemowin and English, the story opens at harvest time. A child holds a mnoomin seed and imagines all the life that made a single seed possible-Mayfly, Pike, Muskrat, Eagle and Moose, all had a part to play in bringing the seed into being. What will happen if the seed sprouts? Underwater leaves will shelter young fish, shoots will protect ducklings, stalks will feed larvae, in turn providing food for bats...until finally mnoomin will be ready to harvest again.

We follow the child and family through a harvest day as they make offerings of tobacco, then gently knock ripe seeds into their canoe. On shore, they prepare the seeds, cook up a feast, and gratefully plant some seeds they'd set aside.

This beautifully written and illustrated story reveals the cultural and ecological importance of mnoomin. As the author's note explains, many Anishinaabeg agree that "wild rice" is an inaccurate term for this plant relation, since part of the harvest is sown every year to help sustain human and non-human beings. Includes a translator's note.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 6.

Thi book is written in Anishinaabemowin and English.

Key Text Features:

• explanation
• illustrations
• informational note
• translations
• translator's note

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2

Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

Translated by Mary Ann Corbiere, who grew up in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island speaking Nishnaabemwin. She taught her language at the University of Sudbury for many years, obtained a doctorate and continues to work on instructional resources for adult learners. She now lives in Lively, Ontario.

This book is available in Anishinaabemowin and French: Précieux mnoomin

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.75" x 8.50" | Hardcover

My Little Métis Sleepy Horse is a bedtime story in a board book format that is best read aloud by adult caregivers to small children. Horse stories are an important theme in Métis oral history and telling horse-themed stories can help reconnect children to their Métis cultural roots on the high plains. Award-winning, bestselling author, and artist, Leah Marie Dorion captures our connection to horses through her vivid paintings.

Educator Information
Dual-language: English and Michif

Michif Translators: Irma Klyne and Larry Fayant

Additional Information
24 Pages | 5.5" x 7" | Board Book

From the award-winning and bestselling author of We Are Water Protectors comes an empowering picture book about family history, self-expression, and reclaiming your identity

Our ancestors say our hair is our memories,
our source of strength and power,
a celebration of our lives.

Mom never had long hair—she was told it was too wild. Grandma couldn’t have long hair—hers was taken from her. But one young girl can’t wait to grow her hair long: for herself, for her family, for her connection to her culture and the Earth, and to honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her.

From Carole Lindstrom, author of the New York Times bestseller and Caldecott Medal winner We Are Water Protectors, and debut illustrator Steph Littlebird comes an empowering and healing celebration of hair and its significance across Indigenous cultures.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
48 pages | 9.00" x 11.00" | Hardcover 

You don't need to have all the answers to be a helper.

Indigenous artist and storyteller Andrea Fritz tells a tale of a salmon and a sea otter who learn it's ok to say "I don't know" and to ask for help.

Thuqi’ the sockeye salmon knows it’s time to spawn, but she is lost in the Salish Sea and doesn't know the way to Sta'lo’, the river. When she asks Tumus the sea otter for help, he doesn’t exactly know either, and he dismisses her questions. But when Tumus becomes lost in some weeds, Thuqi’ shows him that it’s okay not to know something—you can still find a way to help a friend in need.

In this original story set in Coast Salish Traditional Territory, author and artist Andrea Fritz uses Indigenous storytelling techniques and art to share the culture and language of the Hul’q’umi’num’-speaking Peoples.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

This book is part of the Coast Salish Tales series.

Themes/Subjects: Nature and Animals; Fish and Marine Life; Courage, Bravery, Hope

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.75" x 10.75" | Hardcover

After moving from an all-French Indigenous community to the English community of St. George's when he was a little boy, Poppa's life as a young man was very sad. He was treated badly by his schoolteachers and some other children in the town.

Years later, when his grandson wants to bring him into school to play his drum for the class, Poppa is nervous but goes anyway. He is relieved to see he is welcomed and even encouraged to share his knowledge of the traditions and customs of his Mi'kmaw culture.

Thankfully, times have changed from Poppa's generation, and he is pleased to have reconciled with the bad experiences he had when he went to school. Indeed, there is strength and wisdom in Reconciliation!

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 12.

This is the first book in the Poppa series.

Additional Information
36 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

Drumming, singing, and dancing are all part of being at a Powwow. Perry and his family travel all over North America to participate in these family and community gatherings. Join Perry’s two boys as they share their treasured memories of being at Powwows with their family and learning how to dance.

Reviews
"This engaging Canadian picture book shares the perspectives of the author and his two eldest sons—who participate in modern powwow dancing—on the powwow and its role as a celebration and tradition in Indigenous culture. Lavishly illustrated with photographs, vivid sketches, and ledger art, it provides a detailed description of each stage of the powwow, historical and contemporary aspects of the powwow, and pays homage to Indigenous culture and customs. This informative resource will support studies of Indigenous culture, history, traditions, community, art, and family lifestyle. Additional educational pages provide further information on powwows, traditional regalia, and dances." -ERAC Review, May 2019

Educator Information
Includes three pages of educational material on Powwows with information found under these headings:

• What is a Powwow?
• Powwow Regalia
• Powwow Dances

About Perry Smith's Ledger Art:
Ledger Art is an art form that was developed in the mid 1800s to early 1900s by the Plains First Nations during a time when reserves were being established across North America. The ledger books were acquired in trade, war, or raids. New art supplies were also introduced: coloured pencils, crayons, and occasionally water paints. The new supplies were favoured by artists over the traditional bone and stick brushes. Many of the artworks within these ledger books display a traditional way of life, before assimilation. Today these artworks are greatly valued for the historical perspective that they offer.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8" x 8" | ISBN: 9781771746281 | Paperback