# data[].attributes.body
"Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm is a member of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, Saugeen Ojibway Nation on the Saugeen Peninsula in Ontario. Born in Scarborough, Kateri was raised in Toronto and on her home territory on the Saugeen Peninsula."
(U of Toronto)

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"Sonny Assu (Liǥwildaʼx̱w of the Kwakwaka’wakw Nations) was raised in North Delta, BC, over 250 km away from his home ancestral home on Vancouver Island."
(https://www.sonnyassu.com/pages/biography)

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"Brandon Mitchell is a member of the Mi'kmaq nation...from Listuguj, a Mi'kmaq community located in southeastern Quebec, along the border between Quebec and New Brunswick."
(www.StrongNations.com)

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"Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair is Anishinaabe, originally from St. Peter's (Little Peguis) Indian Settlement (near Winnipeg)."
(www.StrongNations.com)

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"Jen Storm is an Ojibwe writer from the Couchiching First Nation in Northwestern Ontario. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba."
(Portage and Main Press)

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"Richard Van Camp is a proud Tłı̨chǫ Dene from Fort Smith, NWT."
(https://richardvancamp.com)

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"Chelsea Vowel is Métis from manitow-sâkahikan (Lac Ste. Anne) Alberta"
(https://apihtawikosisan.com)

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Chelsea Vowel is Métis from manitow-sâkahikan (Lac Ste. Anne) Alberta, residing in amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton). Parent to six children, she has a BEd, LLB, and MA. She is a Cree language instructor at the Faculty of Native studies at the University of Alberta.

Chelsea is a public intellectual, writer, and educator whose work intersects language, gender, Métis self-determination, and resurgence. Author of Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis & Inuit Issues in Canada , she and her co-host Molly Swain produce the Indigenous feminist sci-fi podcast Métis in Space, and co-founded the Métis in Space Land Trust .

Chelsea blogs at apihtawikosisan.com and makes legendary bannock.
SITE NAME
âpihtawikosisân is the name the Cree have given to the Métis, and literally translated it means "half-son". Chelsea began writing under the name âpihtawikosisân because this blog started as a geeky language blog she never expected anyone to read, and to make it clear she is writing from a Métis perspective.

It is pronounced ah-pih-du-wi-GO-si-sahn.

Please do not contact me for help applying for Status, or Métis membership. I do not have expertise in the application processes and cannot help you.

For speaker inquiries:

Contact my agent, Rob Firing at Transatlantic Agency , for all speaking and workshop requests.

MEDIA PHOTO DOWNLOADS (photo credits Zachary Ayotte)

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Chelsea Vowel is Métis from manitow-sâkahikan (Lac Ste. Anne) Alberta, residing in amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton). Parent to six children, she has a BEd, LLB, and MA. She is a Cree language instructor at the Faculty of Native studies at the University of Alberta.

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"Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley was born at the northernmost edge of Baffin Island, in Canada’s Arctic. She grew up learning traditional survival lore from her father. Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley was born at the southernmost edge of Ontario."
(Inhabitmedia.com)

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"He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg."
(www.darobertson.ca)

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Smith, M.G. (2018).  Tilly and the Crazy Eights.  Toronto: Second Story Press.

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Experience an Indigenous CDN Perspective, Community, and Ceremony

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Experience an Indigenous CDN Perspective, Community, and Ceremony

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Have you ever had a conversation that became an idea that your friends said, “YES! Let’s!”  This book has that!  Sarah mentions to her friends one day something she has always wanted to do.  Then her friends consider what they have always wanted to do too.  The next thing you know, they are planning a trip, fundraising, and learning about each other.

Experience a heartwarming bucket list adventure as part of an Indigenous Canadian community.  Meet Tilly and eight Elders from a weekly sewing group who won't give up on supporting each other's dreams. As reader, you become part of the group and witness an Indigenous perspective. Through stories, cultural practices, and ceremonies, you will learn alongside Elders who share lessons that will stay with you on your journey.  This book is sure to inspire you to consider your own bucket list to become 'full up on love' too!

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"Neepin Auger is a Cree artist, educator and mother.
Originally from the Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta."
(https://neepinauger.com)

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"Susan Avingaq was born on the land and moved to the community of Igloolik, Nunavut, in the mid-1970s."
(Inhabit Media Inc.)

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"David is Métis/Ojibway of the Martin Clan; his Ojibway name is Zhiibaayaanakwad. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, David now lives in Victoria, British Columbia."
(www. StrongNations.com)

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“I am of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous ancestry…my mom comes from the Nanapay and Cardinal family of Peepeekisis First Nation in Saskatchewan…my dad is of Scottish and Lakota ancestry.” (Speaking Our Truth, p. 17)

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"Hetxw'ms Gyetxw, also known as Brett D. Huson (he/him/his), is from the Gitxsan Nation of the Northwest Interior of British Columbia, Canada."
(www.bretthuson.ca)

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"Michael Hutchinson is a member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation, north of Winnipeg." (www.StrongNations.com)

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"Rita was born at Whycocomagh (Nova Scotia), part of the Waycobah First Nation, as Rita Bernard."
(Nova Scotia Museum)

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"Brianna Jonnie, Ojibwe, is a member of Roseau River First Nation, Manitoba. "
(If I Go Missing, p.63)

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"Willie Sellars is a band member of the Williams Lake Indian Band (T'exelc) of the Secwepemc Nation, which is located fifteen minutes south of the city of Williams Lake, BC."  (www.StrongNations.com)

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"Tasha Spillett (she/her/hers) draws her strength from both her Inninewak (Cree) and Trinidadian bloodlines...from Winnipeg Manitoba." (www.tashaspillet.com)

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Spillett, T., & Donovan, N. (Illustrations).  (2018).  Surviving in the City.  Winnipeg:  HighWater Press. 

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A Graphic Novel about Teen Resistance to Family Separation

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A Graphic Novel about Teen Resistance to Family Separation

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If you knew that you were going to be ‘taken away’ from your home, what would you do?

Dez found out and is not going to let them.  She decides that the only way that she can be safe from going missing is to become missing on her own.

Read and watch a Canadian story unfold about an Indigenous teenage girl looking for an alternative to being taken away from her Kokum.

Surviving in the City is a graphic novel set in present time; it has comic looking pages with Indigenous teenage faces.

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Auger, N. (2019). Discovering Numbers:  English French Cree.  Victoria: Rocky Mountain Books Ltd.

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Learn Numbers in Cree with English and French

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Learn Numbers in Cree with English and French

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Learning to read comes easy when we can associate things we recognize.

Discovering Numbers is a board book about learning Cree by  recognizing English and French words on page, and, seeing the number  as pictures of items.  That is what this book is all about!

Read this book with your little ones and learn to count up to ten with three different languages, English French and Cree by turning each page to a new piece of art.

Children will enjoy the colours change as the counting begins, and parents will enjoy the pronunciation tables when they get to the end!

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Gyetxw, H. (Huson, B.D.), & Donovan, N. (Illustrator). (2021).  The Wolf Mother.  Winnipeg:  HighWater Press. 

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A Story of Non-Fiction--Life Cycles of the Gray Wolf

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A Story of Non-Fiction--Life Cycles of the Gray Wolf

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Have you ever wondered what the woods would be like if you were a wolf?

This book leads readers through a painted world of graphic art sharing through story the life cycle of the gray mother wolf.

Its story speaks from an Indigenous perspective that considers wolves through their place as part of the ecosystem and wilderness community.

Read the Wolf Mother and learn about the Gitxsan moons and how the lands that surround the ‘the river of mist’ recognize the role wolf mother plays.

This book is good for kids who like the look of graphic novels, for learning about ecosystems, and for a book about wolves for a research assignment.

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"Katherena Vermette (she/her/hers) is a Red River Métis (Michif) writer from Treaty 1 territory, the heart of the Métis Nation...born in Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada."
(https://katherenavermette.com)

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Hutchinson, M. (2020).  The Case of the Missing Auntie.  Toronto: Second Story Press.

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An Indigenous Canadian Youth Investigative Team--the Mighty Muskrats!

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An Indigenous Canadian Youth Investigative Team--the Mighty Muskrats!

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Join the Mighty Muskrats and help a group of Indigenous teens find out what happened to their grandpa’s sister.

This is a story about adolescent research, persistence and love.

Become a part of a teenage investigative team, the Mighty Muskrats, learn how to connect clues with real life procedures that unlock files that hold the key to the missing auntie.

This book is set in Canada, so it feels familiar to Canadian readers.  Kids in this book are empowered by curiosity and desire to support their grandfather’s longing to know where his sister is.  Learn what they discover about Canada’s history, and their family by reading The Case of the Missing Auntie.

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Avingaq, S. and Vsetual, M., & Chua, C. (Illustrator). (2015).  Fishing with Grandma.  Iqaluit:  Inhabit Media Inc.

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Cultural Skills/Language & Land Use--Ice Fishing-'jigging'

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Cultural Skills/Language & Land Use--Ice Fishing-'jigging'

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What does ‘jigging on the lake’ mean? What is a tuuq?

Can you imagine walking on a frozen lake of ice and then breaking a hole in it, so you can fish for your supper?--No?  Not yet!  After reading Fishing with Grandma, you will!

When we listen and spend time with our Elders, we can learn so much more than just one lesson.  Read this book and learn about family, sharing time, and learning traditional skills.

Atii (let’s go!) with a little grandson, his sister Jeela and his Anaanatsiaq (Grandma) on their fishing day. They will tell you what to do to prepare to fish on a lake of ice, as well as, teach you words and the names of tools in another language–Inuktitut.

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Vermette, K., Henderson, S.B. & Yaciuk, D. (Illustrators).  (2017). A Girl Called Echo. Vol. 1, Pemmican Wars.  Winnipeg:  Portage & Main Press.

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Historical Fiction/Sci-Fi--Be transported to the past and back again.

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Historical Fiction/Sci-Fi--Be transported to the past and back again.

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Imagine if you could slip back into the past and back again?  Sounds like a science fiction episode, but it is not, it's a graphic novel by Katherena Vermette called, A Girl Called Echo.

This is a different kind of teen story, because its one set in Canada, with a kid who is Indigenous, alone, in foster care, at a new school and her name is Echo Desjardins.

Imagine having the chance to have another life, at another time, when the life you currently have, sucks.

That’s what this story is about, but, its also about history and...more. You’ll have to read to find out, because guess what, if you like them apples the story continues in:
Vol. 2 (Red River Resistance), Vol. 3(Northwest Resistance), & Vol. 4 (Road Allowance Era).

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Bouchard, D., & Cameron, K. (Illustrator). (2020).  We Learn from the Sun.  Victoria: Medicine Wheel Education Inc.

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Cultural Knowledge--7 Sacred Teachings (poem)

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Cultural Knowledge--7 Sacred Teachings (poem)

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If I could describe this book as a poet describes all things,

I would describe this book as poetry set within paintings.

If you are looking for something different,

something colourful,

something simple,

yet fun.

I suggest that you read,
We Learn from the Sun.

Interconnected, internal,
whimsical designs...

eyes move from painting to poetry,

then to painting...
…one more time.

Colours change as seasons do,

as symbols shift
describing,
then ending,

all paintings,
and the rhyme.

You will have to see it to read it and vice versa,
its part of how its done.

We Learn from the Sun is designed of imagery and seven sacred teachings, all together as one.
~XFree (poem description)

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Historical Fiction Graphic Novel--10 different stories set in different times, with different authors.

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Historical Fiction Graphic Novel--10 different stories set in different times, with different authors.

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Do you like history, graphic novels and inspiring short stories!  Great, this book is just for you!  Don’t let the size of this novel scare you away kids, this is meant to be read as individual stories, over whatever time you have.

Ten stories will lead you through different time periods and places in history with different Indigenous perspectives.  This Place: 150 Years Retold has readers consider how lives intertwine with others, and, how the past reflects upon our present; so, we indeed are a part of this history whether we realize it or not. Artworks are as unique as the stories they share, this book shows its story as much as it tells. It's a book that entertains through illustrations and educates through story, its a book one must experience for themself.

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Joe, R., & Young, P. (Illustrator). (2019).  I Lost My Talk. Halifax: Nimbus Publishing Limited.

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Residential School--a poem about the effects of residential school

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Residential School--a poem about the effects of residential school

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Pass the talking feather and allow one to share what is on their mind–but what happens when you lost your talk and cannot?

I Lost My Talk is a poem story, a story told through a poem about why reconciliation is important to Indigenous peoples…but it doesn’t say it that way.

It is about the experience of a girl who attended residential school and also about finding yourself and the courage to say the things that need to be said.

This book isn’t just a normal storybook, it's a picture book of illustrations that are meant for you to consider for the words only take a small part of each page.

If you are looking for a book for opening discussion or for having one quietly with yourself, this is the book for you.

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Sellars, W., & Easthope, K. (Illustrator). (2014). Dipnetting with Dad.  Halfmoon Bay: Caitlin Press Inc.

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Take a looky-loo at this book and see a colouring masterpiece!

If you like to colour or draw with pencil crayons (or read to someone who does) this book is just for you!

Dipnetting with Dad is about a little boy who brings us along to go fishing–explaining the whole way–what one needs to do and why it is important.  Readers feel like part of the adventure, it feels fast-paced and busy because it is filled with colour, action & adventure.  This book entertains readers and those being read to, with its creative drawings and silly expressions.  Each turn of the page brings with it a new event sure to teach how-to’s, as you looky-loo!

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Vermette, K., & Flett, J. (Illustrator).  (2019).  The Girl and the Wolf.  Pentiction:  Theytus Books Ltd.

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Nature/Animals--a twist on being lost in the woods:  The "Helping Kind" of Wolf

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Nature/Animals--a twist on being lost in the woods:  The "Helping Kind" of Wolf

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An Indigenous child gets lost in the woods and meets a wolf.

The Girl and the Wolf begins a lot like the little red riding hood fairy tale–except it isn’t that story.

This book looks dark and scary with its gloomy dark forrest built of paper crafty illustrations–but it isn’t that kind of story.

This is an Indigenous kind of story.  It is about getting lost in the moment–-when the world is our playground and the animals in it, our friends.   You will have to read this story to find out how it ends!

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Webstad, P. , & Brock, N. (Illustrator).  (2018).  The Orange Shirt Story.  Victoria:  Medicine Wheel Education.

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A Residential School Experience (Non-Fiction)

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A Residential School Experience (Non-Fiction)

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Have you ever looked forward to something and then later found out it wasn’t  what you thought it would be?

Phyllis went to residential school looking for friendship and fun, but learned that for some reason she and her friends from the residential school weren’t treated the same way as the other kids.  Why?

This picture book is filled with paintings that provide readers a glimpse into Phyllis’ life with her Grandma at home, and at residential school surrounded by children who all feel the same way as her.

Have you heard of Orange Shirt Day?  This is the story that has something to do with that day.  You will have to read to the end of book to find out!

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Jonnie, B. and Shingoose, N., & Nshannacappo (Illustrator).  (2019).  If I Go Missing.  Toronto: James Lorimer & Company Ltd.

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Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women(MMIW)

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Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women(MMIW)

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The world is a scary place.  Unfair, prejudice, mean.

Sometimes youth must make a stand to voice the things adults are used to seeing.

If I Go Missing is a book that illustrates the words written by Brianna Jonnie to the authorities in charge–the Chief of the Police.  No lie.

This graphic novel, set in a palette of black grey and red, is based on a true story from 2016, words taken from a letter that a 14 year old girl wrote and the movement that formed thereafter. *hint red dresses in the trees...

Her story provides readers a glimpse of the world from an Indigenous Canadian teen perspective; a consideration of her place, in this space, where so many others like her go missing every year.  MMIW.

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Smith, M.G. (2017). Speaking Our Truth:  A Journey of Reconciliation.  Victoria:  Orca Book Publishers.

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Reconciliation--CDN History & What Reconciliation Means

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Reconciliation--CDN History & What Reconciliation Means

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If you are curious about what all the talk about reconciliation is about, this book will bring you by the hand through history and story until you understand.

Monique Gray Smith authors Speaking Our Truth in a personal way like you are her friend on a learning journey with her.

Monique uses stories and research to connect with the history she shares, so readers begin understand the need for compassion and healing to happen in order for reconciliation to make a difference.

This book looks like a text book but reads like a friend telling you a story of many kinds to make connections so you can see the larger picture.

It's a reminder that we are all part of the journey toward reconciliation as Canadians, and to educate ourselves with knowledge and good medicine–love.