Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Discover the history of the endangered Ojibwe horse and the daring intervention of the Lac La Croix First Nation in this celebration of community, tradition, courage, and hope.

It’s a cold, snowy night at Lac La Croix First Nation, and two siblings are too excited to fall asleep. The horses are coming tonight! Amid the buzz of aunties and uncles and cousins, Nookomis tells a story that began many years ago, when their people shared the land with herds of wild ponies. In a symbiotic relationship, the people provided the horses with food and shelter, while the horses helped them run traplines and travel. But after many years had passed, and the herd had dwindled to four, the government threatened to shoot them. It was time to move the remaining horses to safety—but getting them there would be harder than they thought! Follow the true story of a “heist across the ice” from Ontario to Minnesota and learn how a small herd of hardy, indigenous horses returned years later to their native land. Rich illustrations honor the life of the Ojibwe people over time, as well as the land and living things that have survived under their stewardship.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.62" x 10.62" | Hardcover 

Learn about the southernmost community of Nunavut in this educational picture book.

Did you know that Sanikiluaq, Nunavut is named after a great hunter and leader? Or that it is the most southern community in Nunavut? You can even see wildlife like polar bears, eider ducks, foxes, and more nearby. Discover the many reasons that people in Sanikiluaq love their home in this bilingual picture book.

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
21 pages | 8.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

The story follows a wəlastəkewi skitap (man) named Askəmawsit along with his friends, Mahtəkwehs and Kahkakohs. It is the story of his quest of finding long lost Kelowəskap, in hopes that he can grant Askəmawsit’s biggest wish to live forever.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Additional Information
36 pages | 9.25" x 7.25" | Paperback 

Aurora is a brave and resourceful Inuk girl. When her family goes missing while on a hunting trip, she embarks on a perilous mission to find them. In her travels Aurora must face both the harsh Arctic elements and her own fears, but she does not do so alone: she finds allies in a mother polar bear, Mama Nanuk, and her cubs. Once she is home and reunited with her parents, Aurora’s story of grit and determination becomes an inspiration to the people in her village. Beautifully illustrated by the author, Aurora’s Journey is a celebration of individual resilience in the face of tough times.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 8.

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

A bilingual Mi'kmaw-English board book promoting dental health in baby's first year.

Every morning and every night I need help brushing my teeth.
Look at me smiling so healthy and happy.

Healthy gums and teeth improve overall wellness and quality of life, and help you feel confident in your smile. Beginning during pregnancy, there are things you can do to support your child's gum and teeth health.

This informative board book written in Mi'kmaw and English will teach caregivers how to support their child's oral health through their first year of life and beyond. Develop healthy habits and learn what food and drink is best for growing teeth and gums, when to take baby to their first dental visit, and the appropriate amount of toothpaste for children.

Written by the Tui'kn Partnership with support from the Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry, Baby Smiles will make sure that baby's teeth are healthy and happy their whole life long.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 and under.

Dual-Language: Mi'kmaw-English.

Additional Information
28 pages | 7.00" x 7.00" | Board Book 

Celebrate the 35th anniversary of this beloved holiday classic with a fresh edition that preserves the magic of the original story and brings it to life with stunning new illustrations.

The year is 1955. Arvaarluk and his friends watch Rocky Parsons land his plane on the ice in Repulse Bay, a tiny community “smack dab on the Arctic Circle.” Having never seen trees before, the children try to guess what the six green spindly things are that Rocky delivers. One of the boys has a brilliant idea: why not use them as baseball bats?

Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak is one of Canada’s foremost storytellers. Baseball Bats for Christmas captures the warmth and cadence of his voice as he describes the close-knit life of his community and the ingenuity he and his friends demonstrated when faced with something wholly unfamiliar.

Award-winning Inuk illustrator Coco Apunnguaq Lynge draws inspiration from the iconic work of Inuk artist Germaine Arnaktauyok to immerse the reader in the beauty of the Arctic landscape.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Themes: Inuit; Arctic; community; multicultural; friends; resourcefulness. 

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 10.75" | Hardcover

Readers follow along step-by-step as Benjamin plants and cares for his garden and imagines the harvest to come.

Benjamin loves springtime. The grass grows bright green, the birds sing sweet songs and, best of all, Benjamin and his mother start their garden. In just the right order, they plant mahtâmin (corn), pîmiciwacis (beans), and osawipak (squash) for Three Sisters Soup. They plant strawberries to serve with bannock, then zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers. Benjamin and his mom lovingly tend to the garden and watch it grow into a plentiful harvest with enough to share. Throughout the whole summer, Benjamin dreams about the fall, when they’ll have all the ingredients for a feast – and everyone will be invited!

In this heartwarming story, award-winning author Melanie Florence evocatively portrays the pleasures and rewards of growing and sharing food. The steps of the gardening process – digging holes, planting seeds, watering – are carefully described, and the yearly cycle of growing, harvesting, eating and then starting again the next year is emphasized. Special attention is paid to the tradition of planting corn, beans and squash together so that each plant by its nature helps the others grow. Benjamin and his mother use Cree words throughout the story, and a pronunciation guide is included at the back of the book for further inquiry. Vivid illustrations by Hawlii Pichette make this a perfect follow-up to the author and illustrator duo’s previous book, Benjamin’s Thunderstorm.

Reviews
"A comforting tale of cohabitation between humans and nature." — School Library Journal, April 2025

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Includes Cree words throughout the story. A pronunciation guide is included at the back of the book.

Curriculum Connections: Caring; Growth and changes in plants; Indigenous peoples; Patience; Plants; Word recognition 

This book is part of the Benjamin Outdoors series. From dancing in the rain with thunder for a drum to planting a vegetable garden with his mom, Benjamin loves being in nature. With evocative text and vibrant art, this delightful picture book series celebrates the joys of spending time outdoors and weaves in nature-related Cree words.

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

The Grumpy Faces are a gang of whimsical woodland and Arctic creatures that care deeply about their habitats and encourage creativity wherever they go. In their first literary adventure, Polar Bear, Fox, and Wolf head out on a journey to find some snacks. On their way, they must learn how to be kind and understanding of each other, and work together toward their goal.

Cute and heartwarming, The Grumpy Faces are sure to bring a smile to every reader’s face, while also helping kids understand their emotions and how to navigate the differences they see in those around them.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

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

“Papa, what is a Potlatch?”  

Inspired by Ts’msyen Chief William Beynon’s historic notebooks on Potlatches in the Gitxsan village of Gitsegukla, Celebrating Potlatches pairs intergenerational storytelling with beautiful illustrations to honour Indigenous traditions. From the award-winning author of Oolichan Moon and the accomplished illustrator of Be a Good Ancestor, this book recounts the 1885 Potlatch ban and the resilience of the communities who fought to keep their traditions alive. 

Reviews
“Heartfelt and timely, Celebrating Potlatches gifts readers with cultural teachings through an intergenerational account of Indigenous resilience. This book is a beautiful tribute to the author’s great-grandfather, William Beynon, whose life’s work documenting oral histories of Sm’algya̱x-speaking Peoples and their Potlatches continues to be foundational to our cultural resurgence today.” – Sm Łoodm ‘Nüüsm (Dr. Mique’l Dangeli), Sm’algya̱x language expert and Assistant Professor of Indigenous Arts at the University of Victoria

“This beautiful book shares the importance of community, culture, and identity. As you make your way through the pictures and words, they bring you to an understanding of how important the Potlatch ceremony was and continues to be for Indigenous Peoples.” – Carolyn Roberts, educator, speaker, and author of Re-Storying Education

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Through this conversational historic account, readers can learn alongside the narrator as his Papa shares his wisdom about the rich history of the Potlatch.

Curriculum Connections

• Early literacy – listening, reading, and discussing
• Art – traditional Indigenous art, drumming, and regalia
• Social studies – the 1885 Potlatch ban, history of Indigenous Peoples, connection to community
• Social responsibility – uplifting ourselves and others, honouring traditions
• Indigenous knowledge and traditions – traditional teachings, Potlatch ceremonies, intergenerational storytelling

 

Two free, downloadable lesson plans—one for kindergarten to Grade 1 and one for Grades 2 to 3—provide connections to Social Studies curriculum.

Additional Information
32 Pages | 10" x 8.5" | Hardcover 

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 

Corbeau Blanc est née sur une île, dans un joli village. Pendant les premières années de sa vie, elle a grandi entourée de sa famille, de sa communauté et de la nature. Tout a changé quand elle avait six ans.

Maintenant adulte et mère de famille, Petit Loup quitte la ville pour retrouver l’île de ses ancêtres. Elle veut faire connaître à ses filles la beauté et les mystères du monde naturel et les rapprocher de leur culture. Sa mère, Corbeau Blanc, vient souvent leur rendre visite. Mais le plaisir de voir les fillettes s’amuser et apprendre ne l’empêche pas d’avoir le cœur lourd.

Corbeau Blanc est l’une des 150 000 enfants autochtones placés de force dans des pensionnats canadiens. Elle doit maintenant raconter son histoire à ses petites-filles. Parler de ces moments difficiles l’aide à trouver la guérison et unit la famille encore davantage. Corbeau Blanc retrace l’expérience de la mère de l’auteure dans un pensionnat. C’est un récit de survie, de guérison et d’unité familiale.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

This book is a part of the Petit Loup (Little Wolf) trilogy. It was translated from English to French by Nicole Laurendeau.

This book is available in English: White Raven

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

Learn about the rhythms of the seasons with Joshua in this captivating read-aloud story for ages 5 to 8.

Join Joshua as his father teaches him about traditional food harvesting.

Joshua loves being on the land. When the weather is warm, Joshua and his dad gather mint from the shores of Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (Lake Nipigon First Nation) in northeastern Ontario. But when will that be? It’s not when the leaves are changing colour. It’s not when the snow falls from the sky. It’s not when the flowers are budding. When is it time to gather mint from the land?

In the back of the book, find a glossary and pronunciation guide for the Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin words featured throughout the story.

Reviews
"Tyna Legault Taylor delivers a magical story of the seasons through Joshua’s sweet anticipation as he learns how to know when it is time to harvest katakipanik / gaaminomaagobagak / mint from the land. In this beautifully illustrated book, Joshua gains important land-based traditional knowledges from his father about harvesting, medicines, and Indigenous food sovereignty and learns key words in Northern Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin as he discovers his relationships to land. With the inclusion of a recipe for Mint From the Land Iced Tea and a glossary, this book will engage readers of all ages, but will be especially treasured by children who see themselves in Joshua’s curious and adventurous spirit!" — Barbara Parker, Associate Professor, Lakehead University

“Swampy Cree…and Anishinaabemowin words are interwoven seamlessly into the simply stated sentences. Dao’s vibrant illustrations radiate warmth and connection. Sharing land-based Indigenous knowledge, this is an informative picture-book-series opener.”—Booklist

“A warm and colourful tale that brings traditional teachings to life. This is a story from the home and the heart that the whole family will enjoy.”—Don Kelly, Gemini Award–nominated host of APTN's Fish Out of Water and Crazy Like a Lynx

“The lived experience of Joshua and his family...is a testament to the sacred connection between Indigenous people and the land. A great tool for all children to learn more about Indigenous people and Indigenous languages.”—Phil Fontaine, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Includes some Swampy Cree (n-dialect) words in brown and Anishinaabemowin words in green, but this is not a dual-language book.

The backmatter includes a Swampy Cree/Anishinaabemowin Glossary and a recipe for Mint From the Land Iced Tea. 

Big Ideas: Land-Based and Place-Based Learning, Traditional Foods, Traditional Clothing, Traditional Medicine, STEM: Seasonal Cycles, STEM: Plants.

This book is part of the Joshua Learns from the Land series.

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

Let Dragonfly lead you on a journey of inspiration!

Following your winged guide, visit the places and things that can help you find strength in the present and imagine your amazing future. Dream alongside everything from a giant construction site and a sewing machine to the river and a blanket of moss. After your travels, Dragonfly asks: What do you like to dream about? With its mixed setting in rural and urban environments and exploration of both the natural and modern world, Dreaming Alongside gives readers permission to daydream and think of what magic their lives have the potential to hold.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5. 

This book is available in English and Plains Cree: Dreaming Alongside / ê-pawâtamahk.

Reading Levels: 
Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: L 
Lexile measure: 900L 
Guided Reading Level: L

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

Let Dragonfly lead you on a journey of inspiration!

Following your winged guide, visit the places and things that can help you find strength in the present and imagine your amazing future. Dream alongside everything from a giant construction site and a sewing machine to the river and a blanket of moss. After your travels, Dragonfly asks: What do you like to dream about? With its mixed setting in rural and urban environments and exploration of both the natural and modern world, Dreaming Alongside gives readers permission to daydream and think of what magic their lives have the potential to hold.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5. 

This bilingual book includes full text in both English and Plains Cree.
Translated into Plains Cree by Dorothy Thunder.

This book is available in English only: Dreaming Alongside.

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

Read along with Bree, Dee, and Reed, and learn the Long ‘ee’ Vowel.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for K-2.

This book is part of the Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection Series 2. 

Following the Drumbeat Decodable Series 1, the Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 also provides practice for children to become phonics-wise readers.

The Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 teach readers the long vowels (Long i_e, Long o_e, Long ee, Long ai, Long a_e, Long oa, Long u_e, and Long ea) in the context of cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words bringing a much-needed Indigenous Perspective to this phonics program. Each book contains a word list, high-frequency words, long vowel words, and fun activities for extended learning.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Paperback