Indigenous Peoples

For fans of The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander and Little Leaders by Vashti Harrison, I See Color is a picture book that affirms people of color—of all shades—by celebrating their achievements and contributions to society.

Highlighting people such as Madonna Thunder Hawk, Basemah Atweh, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., incredible leaders are honored, seen, and heard on every page.

Part ode to an array of beautiful skin tones and part introduction to change-makers in history, this book is a perfect conversation starter for readers everywhere.

Reviews
"The love and appreciation of color shines through this vibrant retrospective on activism, courage, and resistance." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"An eye-opening album to be read, cherished, used as a cornerstone for study, or shared across curricula." — School Library Journal (starred review)

"[T]his high-level work underscores “all that can be achieved together.” — Publishers Weekly

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Includes some Indigenous content.

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

First Nations culture is living, vibrant, and evolving, and generations of Indigenous kids have grown up with pop culture creeping inexorably into our lives. From gaming to social media, pirate radio to garage bands, Star Trek to D&D, and missed connections at the pow wow, Indigenous culture is so much more than how it’s usually portrayed. Indiginerds is here to celebrate those stories!

Featuring an all-Indigenous creative team, Indiginerds is an exhilarating anthology collecting 11 stories about Indigenous people balancing traditional ways of knowing with modern pop culture. Includes work by Alina Pete, PJ Underwood, Kameron White, Rhael McGregory, and many more.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12 to 18.

Full Creator Listing: Tate Allen, Ida Aronson, Jordanna George, Raven John, Nipinet Landsem, Rhael McGregor, Sam “Mushki” Medlock, Alina Pete, Wren Rios, PJ Underwood, Kameron White

Additional Information
120 pages | 6.62" x 10.25" | Paperback

Lucy loves living in Arctic Bay. There are so many things to do in each season! In the winter during "the great darkness," Lucy likes watching the northern lights. She is always excited to welcome the sun back in the spring. In the summer, Lucy can't wait to go blueberry picking, camping, and eat pissi. Follow along with Lucy as she takes readers through the seasons and shares all her favourite things about living in beautiful Arctic Bay.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Dual-Language: English and Inuktitut. 

This book is part of the Community Connections series.

Additional Information
29 pages | 9.00" x 8.00" | Paperback 

A graphic novel for children ages 7 to 10. Sacajawea was a brilliant, multilingual Shoshone girl who was torn from her home at a young age. In 1804, she set out with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, acting as an interpreter and guide across hundreds of miles of unmapped land to reach the Pacific Ocean. Almost 200 years later, she became the first Indigenous woman to appear on a US coin. This is her story.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

Additional Information
42 Pages | 6.5o" x 8.10 | Library Binding 
 

Those who feel the same are kindred spirits.

A nonfiction picture book about the inspiring true pay-it-forward story that bridges two continents, 175 years, and two events in history--connecting Ireland, Choctaw Nation, Navajo Nation, and the Hopi Tribe.

1845. The Potato Famine devastated Ireland. An ocean away, Choctaw people heard and were moved by the similarities to the injustice they had suffered on the Trail of Tears. Though they had little, they gathered money to donate.

2017. Irish people built a statue to remember their connection to the Choctaw Nation--twenty-foot high feathers in the shape of a bowl.

2020. COVID-19 disproportionately ravished the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe. Irish people remembered the Choctaws' kindness and paid it forward by donating.

Empathy creates kindness that lives well beyond a single act and includes more people the bigger it grows.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

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

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

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

This book is included in the Indigenous Books for Schools database from the Association of Book Publishers of BC. It is recommended for Grades 4 to 9 for English Language Arts, Physical and Health Education, and Social Studies.

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

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

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 

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

One rainy day, Solomon is playing inside with his sister. Their mom is cooking polar bear meat in a big pot of water. Suddenly, he trips and burns his arm in the pot of boiling water! The burn is so bad that he must travel to the health centre in the neighbouring community of Pond Inlet. Solomon has to stay in Pond Inlet until his arm heals. Even though Solomon misses his home, he likes playing with the other kids at the health centre and exploring the new and exciting community of Pond Inlet.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 7.

In My Trip to Pond Inlet children learn about the responsibility of being safe around hot water and taking care of themselves after an injury.

Dual-Language: English and Inuktitut 

This book is part of the Community Connections series.

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

Readers are invited to jump into a canoe to learn about residential schools in Canada and the special day for truth and reconciliation. Author Dawn Sii-yaa-ilth-supt Smith is Nuu-chah-nulth and attended Tsartlip Indian Day School in British Columbia. She shares her story and the importance of truth-telling and reconciliation in Canada.

Educator & Series Information
Juvenile Nonfiction

This book is part of the Indigenous Communities in Canada series.

This book is available in French: La Journee nationale de la verite et de la reconciliation 

Additional Information
24 Pages

Help your child power up their reading skills and learn all about the talented Navajo code talkers during World War II with this fun-filled nonfiction reader–carefully leveled to help children progress.

Navajo Code Talkers introduces kids to the Navajo code talkers sending top-secret messages in code based on their native languages during World War II—and is a motivating introduction to using essential nonfiction reading skills, proving ideal for children ready to enter the riveting world of reading.

Educator Information
This book is a Level 4 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.

The DK Super Readers series can help your child practice reading by:

- Covering engaging, motivating, curriculum-aligned topics.
- Building knowledge while progressing core Grade 4 and 5 reading skills.
- Developing subject vocabulary on topics such as inventions, inventors, and history.
- 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
64 pages | 5.94" x 9.00"

Alice loves her community, and she's excited to show others her favourite things to see and do throughout the year. From ice fishing to collecting clams to cheering on hunters in the community, there is always something to enjoy in Sanirajak.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 7.

Dual-Language: English and Inuktitut

Readers will learn about different activities people do in each season in Sanirajak, Nunavut in Sanirajak, a Place I Love.

Sanirajak, a Place I Love teaches about the values of community and sharing food with community members after a hunt.

This book is part of the Community Connections series.

Additional Information
36 pages | 9.00" x 10.00" | Paperback