Indigenous Educational Resources for Schools and Libraries

Celebrating Potlatches

SKU: 9781771746564

Author:

Samantha Beynon

Illustrator:

Carla Joseph

Grade Levels:

Preschool. Kindergarten, One, Two

Nation:

Ts’msyen

Book Type:

Hardcover

Pages:

32

Publisher:

Strong Nations Publishing Inc.

Copyright Date:

2025

Samantha Beynon was born and raised on Kxeen Island, British Columbia, on her ancestral Ts’msyen land. She now lives and works on the unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking Peoples and the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples. She has Nisg̱a'a, Ts’msyen, and European heritage with roots in Ging̱olx, Gitlax̱tʼaamiks, and Lax Kw’alaams. Maternally, she comes from Wilps Axdii Wil Luugooda (The House that is Always Full) and the Ganhada Frog Clan. She comes from the family names Beynon, Trimble, Gurney, Adams, and Fitzgerald. Samantha holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Vancouver Island University, and she is committed to lifelong learning and supporting her community through Indigenous education. She is a passionate writer and educator, a loving mother and wife, and the author of Oolichan Moon.

Illustrated by Carla Joseph, a Cree/Métis artist from Prince George, British Columbia, who loves sharing joy through her art. She was an artist-in-residence at the Prince George Community Arts Council, and she won Art Battle Prince George in 2016 and 2018. Carla’s unique artwork can be found in many children’s books, including Be a Good Ancestor and I am Connected.

“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

Share this product

$4.00

Spirit Puffin : Indigenous Art Lined Workbook (Cahier Ligné) by Mi’kmaq artist Stephanie White

SKU: 772665156155

$4.00

Spirit Fox : Indigenous Art Lined Workbook (Cahier Ligné) by Mi’kmaq artist Stephanie White

SKU: 772665156148

$4.00

Infinity : Indigenous Art Lined Workbook (Cahier Ligné) by Mi’gmaq artist Tracey Metallic

SKU: 772665156131

$4.00

All Children Matter II : Indigenous Art Lined Workbook (Cahier Ligné) by Cree artist Betty Albert

SKU: 772665156100

$4.00

Hummingbird Feathers : Indigenous Art Lined Workbook (Cahier Ligné) by Métis/Cree artist Carla Joseph

SKU: 772665156032

$4.00

Raven’s Spirit : Indigenous Art Lined Workbook (Cahier Ligné) by Métis/Cree artist Carla Joseph

SKU: 772665156063

$4.00

Humility : Indigenous Art Lined Workbook (Cahier Ligné) by Métis/Cree artist Carla Joseph

SKU: 772665156056

$4.00

Standing Still : Indigenous Art Lined Workbook (Cahier Ligné) by Odanak Abenaki artist Jessica Somers

SKU: 772665156124

$4.00

Yellow Floral Garden : Indigenous Art Lined Workbook (Cahier Ligné) by Ojibway artist Jim Oskineegish

SKU: 772665156094

$4.00

Waabooz : Indigenous Art Lined Workbook (Cahier Ligné) by Anishinaabe artist Marissa Indoe

SKU: 772665156193

$4.00

Beautiful Sunday : Indigenous Art Lined Workbook (Cahier Ligné) by Anishinaabe artist Jackie Traverse

SKU: 772665156179

$4.00

Eagle : Indigenous Art Lined Workbook (Cahier Ligné) by Anishinaabe artist Jackie Traverse

SKU: 772665156162

$21.99

Smudging Prayer (English)

SKU: 9781779550248

Nookwezigewing anami'aawin / Smudging Prayer (Anishinaabemowin and English)

$21.99

Nookwezigewing anami'aawin / Smudging Prayer (Anishinaabemowin and English)

SKU: 9781779550224

Can I Come, Too? : An Adventure with the Grumpy Faces (HC)

$16.95

Can I Come, Too? : An Adventure with the Grumpy Faces (HC)

SKU: 9781772275667

You Were Made for This World : Celebrated Indigenous Voices Speak to Young People (Pre-Order for July 29/25)

$26.99

You Were Made for This World : Celebrated Indigenous Voices Speak to Young People (Pre-Order for July 29/25)

SKU: 9781774882566

Bud Finds Her Gift (Pre-Order for Sept 2/25)

$24.99

Bud Finds Her Gift (Pre-Order for Sept 2/25)

SKU: 9780063324428

Ella Cara Deloria : Dakota Language Protector (Pre-Order for Aug 1/25)

$19.50

Ella Cara Deloria : Dakota Language Protector (Pre-Order for Aug 1/25)

SKU: 9798765671788

Carrie Cavender Schommer : Dakota Language Teacher (Pre-Order for Aug 1/25)

$19.50

Carrie Cavender Schommer : Dakota Language Teacher (Pre-Order for Aug 1/25)

SKU: 9798765671818

$19.50

Charles Albert Bender : National Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher (Pre-Order for Aug 1/25)

SKU: 9798765671795

Peggy Flanagan : Lieutenant Governor (Pre-Order for Aug 1/25)

$19.50

Peggy Flanagan : Lieutenant Governor (Pre-Order for Aug 1/25)

SKU: 9798765671801

$24.95

Our Land : The Maritimes. New preface by G.P. (Gary) Gould

SKU: 9781773104539

$100.00

Between the Layers : Spiderwoman Theatre, Storyweaving, and Survivance (Pre-Order for July 29/25)

SKU: 9781487507916

$21.95

Celebrating Potlatches

SKU: 9781771746564

2023 Children's New Releases

A Children's Guide to Arctic Birds (HC) (Ltd Qty)

Animals

Children's Books Collection

Grade One

Newsletter

Sign up to get exclusive offers, the best in Indigenous titles and more!

Indigenous Rights in One Minute : What Canadians Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation

Indigenous Rights in One Minute : What Canadians Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation

SKU: 9780889714885

Author:

Bruce McIvor

Grade Levels:

Adult Education, College, University

Nation:

Multiple Nations

Book Type:

Paperback

Pages:

208

Publisher:

Nightwood Editions

Copyright Date:

2025

Bruce McIvor is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation. He is the founder and senior partner at First Peoples Law LLP and an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia’s Allard School of Law. He is the author of Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It (Nightwood Editions, 2021).

A shortage of trustworthy information continues to frustrate Canadians with best intentions to fulfill Canada’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. To meet this demand, lawyer and historian Bruce McIvor provides concise, plain answers to 100 essential questions being asked by Canadians across the country.

During his nearly three decades advocating for Indigenous rights and teaching Aboriginal law, McIvor has recorded the fundamental questions that Canadians from all corners of society have asked to advance reconciliation: Why do Indigenous people have special rights? What is the Doctrine of Discovery? Who are the Métis? Why was the Calder decision important? What is reconciliation? McIvor supplies the answers Canadians are looking for by scrapping the technical language that confuses the issues and speaks directly to everyone looking for straight answers. Throughout, McIvor shares his perspective on why reconciliation as envisioned by the courts and Canadian governments frustrates Indigenous people and what needs to change to overcome the impasse. McIvor’s explanations of complex legal issues demonstrate a unique mix of a deep knowledge of the law, the ability to write clearly and concisely, practical experience from the frontlines of advocating for First Nations in courtrooms and at negotiation tables across the country, and a profound passion for justice rooted in his work and personal history.

To ensure the country’s reconciliation project progresses from rhetoric to reality, ordinary Canadians need straightforward answers to fundamental questions. McIvor provides the answers and context to support a thoughtful and respectful national conversation about reconciliation and the fulfillment of Canada’s commitment to a better future for Indigenous people. This book contains 25 colour and Black & White photographs.