Description
Dakwäkãda Warriors is by Cole Pauls a Tahltan comic artist, illustrator and printmaker from Haines Junction, Yukon Territory. Growing up, Cole Pauls performed in a traditional song and dance group called the Dakwäkãda Dancers and encountered the ancestral language of Southern Tutchone. Dakwäkãda Warriors is a bilingual comic about two earth protectors saving the world from evil pioneers and cyborg sasquatches. In this work Pauls was supported by Elders’ consultation and translation in revitalizing the language. The resulting work is a whimsical young adult graphic novel that offers an accessible allegory of colonialism and is also part of the Indigenous futurism movement. Dakwäkãda Warriors also includes a behind-the-scenes view into the making of the comic and pin-up illustrations by guest Indigenous Canadian artists. A language key, sketches and thanks are included and information about Cole Pauls. Highly recommended.