Description
Written by Dr. Katrina Phillips, a citizen of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. She earned her BA and PhD in History from the University of Minnesota, and she teaches Native American history and the history of the American West at Macalester College. Illustrator Sam Zimmerman returned home to the Grand Portage Reservation on the north shore of Minnesota after a career in education on the east coast. He rededicated himself to painting as a means of exploring his Ojibwe heritage, his experiences in nature, and Anishinaabe traditions of storytelling. He has also worked to help preserve the Ojibwemowin language by creating bilingual books, including Following My Spirit Home.
With simple, lyrical text and vibrant panoramic illustrations, this picture book explores the beauty and resources of thirteen ancestral Indigenous lands and how we all use those lands each day. Simple poetry and portrayals of children and families enjoying rivers, bike paths, beaches, and parks show how everyday activities can include honoring Indigenous nations and cultures. Audience: Ages 3-9.