Description
Raymond Yakeleya is an award-winning Dene television producer, director and writer. He is author of the Dene children’s books The Tree by the Woodpile and The Rainbow, the Midwife & the Birds and editor of the adult non-fiction books We Remember the Coming of the White Man and Indigenous Justice. Says Raymond, “Indigenous Peoples need to have a voice in mainstream media in order to tell our stories, our way. With the passing of many of our Elders, the telling of these stories has become more important.” Raymond Yakeleya is from Tulita Northwest Territories, currently living in Edmonton, Alberta
Return the Spirits is about A First Nations teenager who lands his first job as a night watchman in a city museum. One night, perplexed by strange noises, he encounters a raven that reveals their source: the spirits of Indigenous animal artifacts longing to return to their people. The raven, a spirit guide, assists him in returning these ancestral objects to Inuit, Haida, Cree, Métis, Blackfoot, Anishinaabe, Dene, and Mi'kmaq communities. As the teen embarks on this journey, the world opens up for the artifacts, the people they are returned to, and for him. This heartwarming tale intertwines adventure, cultural heritage, and self-discovery, celebrating the profound connection between identity and ancestral roots. Through this odyssey, the teen learns the importance of heritage and the powerful ties that bind us to our ancestors. Audience: Ages 9-12. This book contains 10 Black & White illustrations.