Saugeen First Nation (Chippewas of Saugeen)

A powerful and hopeful ode to Indigenous children.

Indigenous. Native. On this land, you may roam.
Child of the sun, on this land, you are home.

Of the Sun is an uplifting and mighty poem that wraps the Indigenous children of the Americas in reassuring words filled with hope for a brighter future and reminders of their bond and importance to the land. Each page fills them with pride and awe of their cultural heritage and invites them to unite and inspire change in the world.

Paired with powerful art reflecting cultures of various Indigenous Nations and Tribes, the poem offers all readers a sense of the history and majesty of the land we live on and how we can better care for ourselves and the world when we recognize our connection to the land and to each other.

Written by Xelena González, poet and activist in the Native and Latinx communities, and an enrolled member of the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation. Bold illustrations by prominent Anishinaabe illustrator Emily Kewageshig depict landscapes across the Americas and children from many backgrounds
Endnotes provide more information on Native and Indigenous unity and activism in younger generations

Reviews
"Of The Sun is a loving homage to the Indigenous peoples of this land—both in González’s beautiful, lyrical poem and Kewageshig’s warm, vibrant Anishinaabe-styled artwork. A wonderful read aloud you must add to bookshelves at home, at school, and in community!" - Traci Sorell, award-winning author of We Are Grateful Otsaliheliga and At The Mountain’s Base

"A luminous song, poem, promise
of cultures and connection,
of kinship and caring,
for Indigenous children across the continent." - Cynthia Leitich Smith, author of Jingle Dancer

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Subjects / Themes / Topics Included: Indigenous Peoples in the Americas; Poetry; Land Connection; Inuit Clothing; Traditional Hair Bun (tsiiyéél); Concheros Dance; Three Sisters; La Danza de la Flor de Piña; Smoke Dance; Jingle Dress Dance; Manoomin (Wild Rice); English Words from Indigenous Languages; Indigenous Farming Practices; Bison; Land Back Movement.

Additional Information
32 pages | 10.00" x 9.75" | Hardcover

This bestselling and award-winning introduction to Etuaptmumk—the gift of multiple perspectives also known as Two-Eyed Seeing—is now available in a bilingual edition that celebrates the Mi’kmaw language and our connections to nature.

Elder Albert D. Marshall is a leading environmental voice who has brought forward the concept of Etuaptmumk, honoring and braiding both Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing for the benefit of all. Walking Together is grounded in this, as well as in the concept of Netukulimk, meaning to protect Mother Earth for the ancestors and for present and future generations. The journey in Walking Together nurtures respectful, reciprocal, responsible relationships with the Land and Water, with plant life and animals, and with other-than-human beings.

Translated by Barbara Sylliboy and Arlene Stevens, Eskasoni First Nation, Unama’ki (Cape Breton), Nova Scotia, the dual-language text in Mi’kmaw and English furthers Elder Marshall’s lifelong work preserving cultural beliefs and creating a strong vision for his people and for the future. Elder Marshall and Louise Zimanyi are working together to promote Land-based learning through storytelling, an approach that has global relevance for protecting biodiversity, climate action, and resilience. Emily Kewageshig’s evocative artwork illustrates the beauty of connecting with nature and encourages readers to strengthen their relationships to the world around them.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

Introduces the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing (the gift of multiple perspectives) to young readers.

Bilingual Edition: Mi’kmaw and English.

This book is available in English: Walking Together 

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

This bestselling, innovative picture book introduces readers to the concept of Etuaptmumk—or Two-Eyed Seeing, the gift of multiple perspectives in the Mi’kmaw language—as we follow a group of young children connecting to nature as their teacher.

A poetic, joyful celebration of the Lands and Waters as spring unfolds: we watch for Robin's return, listen for Frog's croaking, and wonder at maple tree's gift of sap. Grounded in Etuaptmumk, also known as Two-Eyed Seeing—which braids together the strengths of Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of knowing—and the Mi’kmaq concept of Netukulimk—meaning to protect Mother Earth for the ancestors, present, and future generations—Walking Together nurtures respectful, reciprocal, responsible relationships with the Land and Water, plant-life, animals and other-than-human beings for the benefit of all.

Reviews
"Walking Together is a poetic celebration grounded in Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) that weaves together the strengths of Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of knowing. The story explores respectful, reciprocal, responsible relationships between the land, water, plants, animals, and humans." - The Dalai Lama Center

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

Introduces the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing (the gift of multiple perspectives) to young readers.

This book is available in a bilingual format: Walking Together / Menaqaj Pemwije’tulti’k

Additional Information
36 pages | 8.90" x 8.90" | Paperback

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

"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 emotions. In this book, I, Phyllis Webstad, founder of Orange Shirt Day, show that sharing my story with the world helped me to process my feelings. My true orange shirt story encourages young children to open their hearts and listen as others share their feelings, and to be more comfortable sharing their own feelings too. Listening is a first step towards reconciliation. It's never too early to start.

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 hardcover: With Our Orange Hearts (HC)

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