The Eagle's Path is an illustrated children's fiction book by Michelle Corneau for Strong Nations Publishing. Colour pencil sketches by Audrey Keating illustrate the story of 10-year old Anna whose school friend Jill announces she prefers girls when the two talk about boys at their school. Anna is troubled and her parents notice Anna is unusually quiet at home. Her mother gently asks what is troubling Anna.
Les Savoirs Perdus Panuijkatasikl Kina’masuti’l (The Lost Teachings) by Michael James Isaac is an engaging dual language (French & Mi’kmaq) story, with effective illustrations by Dozay Arlene Christmas, allows the reader to reconnect to and understand the seven Grandfather teachings and their meaning in relation to themselves and society. The Lost Teachings is a story about the importance of the seven teachings — wisdom, respect, love, honesty, humility, courage and truth — and how interconnected they are in achieving balance, harmony and peace.
Rez Runaway is a 2016 teen novel by award-winning author Melanie Florence. Known for tackling difficult and edgy topics, the author turns her attention to Two-Spirit (LGBTQ) youth living in First Nations communities. This northern Ontario teen knows he is different and his religious family offers no answers or comfort. Joe Littlechief is seventeen and questioning his true identity and sexuality. His confusion turns tragic when his teen friends realize Joe is gay. Finding no options or friends Joe flees to Toronto.
One Night by Plains Cree/Scottish author Melanie Florence is one of the recent SideStreets series from James Lorimer Publishing. This series has edgy and fast-paced novels that combine real-world themes and believeable characters to make for short, heart-stopping books ideal for engaging the most reluctant reader. In One Night, Luna Begay is as studious and serious about her Aboriginal heritage as her sister, Issy, is outgoing and fun.
The Lost Teachings Panuijkatasikl Kina’masuti’l by Michael James Isaac is an engaging story, with effective illustrations by Dozay Arlene Christmas, allows the reader to reconnect to and understand the seven Grandfather teachings and their meaning in relation to themselves and society as a whole. The Lost Teachings is a story about the importance of the seven teachings — wisdom, respect, love, honesty, humility, courage and truth — and how interconnected they are in achieving balance, harmony and peace for individuals and society as a whole.
Kawlija's Blueberry Promise describes the summer blueberry harvest, an annual expedition for seven-year-old Kawlija and her family. When her father needs her to pick more berries than she eats, she promises to do her best. But can she avoid temptation? An enchanting story is also a rich portrait of rural Metis life in the '50s. It is the girl's honesty that saves the day. A read aloud book about harvesting blueberries set in Duck Bay, Manitoba.
Fire Fight is one of the titles in 7th Generations' PathFinders Series. This series of novels are known as high/low books—written at a lower reading level but with high-interest, age-appropriate plots. Designed for reluctant readers ages 12 and up, these books feature linear story lines, limited vocabulary and short sentences. The main characters in all the titles are Indigenous teens and the stories all include references to traditional ways.
Misaabe's Stories: A Story of Honesty explores the meaning of one of the Seven Grandfather Teachings through the imagination and storytelling of a young boy named Misaabe. This Ojibwe boy is always telling creative stories about trolls, and x-ray glasses, and secret agents, and his super-exciting life. He tries to convince his classmates that these tales are totally true. One day the outrageous tales catch up to Misaabe when his mom comes to school to speak to the teacher. She helps this imaginative boy continue his storytelling and always use his gift with honesty.
This Land Is My Land is the award-winning book written and illustrated by Plains Cree artist George Littlechild. This internationally known artist combines compelling text with a series of powerful images he created to explain the importance of his family's history. His goal is to heighten awareness of the history and experiences of the Plains Cree in Canada. By focusing on his personal family history, the artist succeeds in expressing the pain and joy of his healing journey. In this book the reader begins to understand the struggle of First Nations and the beauty of their cultures.
Nala's Magical Mitsiaq: A Story of Inuit Adoption published by Inhabit Media about the concept known as Inuit adoption. Adoption among Inuit families is a unique and age-old practice that sees families within Nunavut placing children with adoptive parents in the community. This tradition remains a celebrated part of Inuit culture and identity to this day. Nala’s Magical Mitsiaq tells the story of how Nala and Qiatsuk became sisters through Inuit custom adoption.
