Indigenous writing for kids!

"Neekna and Chemai are two little girls growing up in the Okanagan Valley in the time before European contact. Through these two friends, we learn about the seasonal life patterns of the Okanagan First Peoples. The girls spend time with Great-Grandmother, who tells them about important ceremonies, and they gather plants with Neekna''s grandmother. Grandmother explains how bitterroot came to be an important food source, and why the people give a special ceremony of thanks at its harvest. Grandmother also tells the story of how a woman was changed to a rock to watch over the Okanagan Valley. Neekna understands how important it is that she has received the knowledge passed down for generations, from great-grandmother to grandmother to mother. (Ages 8-10)" - Publisher

"Kelly Crawford wrote this information book about a First Nation student named Alex and his inspiration to create a wampum belt from his Lego blocks. The boy explains that treaty belts are made from wampum and they represent promises made to last. The wampum belt Alex made symbolizes the Treaty of Niagara agreement." - Publisher

"Dakota Dibaataanan Gchi-Kwiinwinan is the Ojibwe language translation of Dakota Talks about Treaties published by the Union of Ontario Indians especially for Ojibwe language learners. This 8-page illustrated resource about the importance of treaties is designed for Indigenous students as well as non-Indigenous readers. Told from Dakota's perspective the book begins as Dakota gives a speech to her classmates. She recounts her family's trip to a celebration of the Treaty of Niagara in Niagara Falls. This is where Dakota saw wampum belts and heard speeches about the history of this treaty." - Publisher

"When a young boy is assigned a project about the fur trade by his teacher, he doesn't know who to turn to because his mom works all day. With help from his grandfather and the internet, they travel back in time and discover how the fur trade began, a new people emerged, the Métis'' role in the fur trade, Louis Riel and the Red River Resistance, and the reason behind a holiday named Louis Riel Day. (Ages 6-9)" - Publisher

"One winter afternoon, Joe and Cody went ice fishing with their papa, their mama, and Cody's little black dog, Ootsie. It was the perfect day to fish. The sky was clear, and the sun made the snow sparkle like diamonds. Brothers Joe and Cody are spending a chilly winter afternoon ice fishing with their parents. Cody is helping Papa fish, while Mama and Joe doze in the sled. Suddenly the sled dogs sit up and sniff. A fox is across the lake, her fur as bright as flames. The sled dogs give chase, pulling Mama and Joe along on a wild ride. Written in both English and Cree, Fox on the Ice is a wonderful, lyrical story of celebration from award-winning author Tomson Highway, capturing a passing way of life for future generations. (Ages 4-9)" - Publisher

"Although the story is short and simple, each incident and element of the setting is fully described in crisp, short sentences. The English text is paralleled in Cree." - Canadian Review of Materials

"Joe and Cody are young Cree brothers who follow the caribou all year long, tucked into their dog sled with Mama and Papa. To entice the wandering herds, Joe plays his accordion and Cody dances, whirling like a young caribou. They are so busy playing and dancing, they don't hear the rumble of the caribou. Bursting from the forest, ten thousand animals fill the meadow. Joe is engulfed; he can barely see Cody a few yards away. Their parents seem to have disappeared. And yet what should be a moment of terror turns into something mystical and magical, as the boys open their arms and their hearts to embrace the caribou spirit (Ages 4-8)" - Publisher

"This classic work is perfect to explore with children age 4 and up, inviting them to imagine themselves in the Caribou song making." - Children's Bookwatch

"Celebrating the stories of Indigenous people throughout time, Wab Kinew has created a powerful rap song, the lyrics of which are the basis for the text in this beautiful picture book, illustrated by the acclaimed Joe Morse. Including figures such as Crazy Horse, Net-no-kwa, former NASA astronaut John Herrington and Canadian NHL goalie Carey Price, Go Show the World showcases a diverse group of Indigenous people in the US and Canada, both the more well known and the not- so-widely recognized. (Ages 5-9)" - Publisher

"This book is inspiring for all children in showing us how these heroes have triumphed over adversity, and is highly recommended." - Canadian Children's Book News

"Everyone knows that moccasins, canoes and toboggans were invented by the Aboriginal people of North America, but did you know that they also developed their own sign language, as well as syringe needles, a secret ingredient in soda pop, and other clever inventions and innovations which are still in use today? Explore the creativity of these people in this information-packed and superbly illustrated book. (Ages 8-11)" - Publisher

"Rocky Landon, an Ojibwa originally from Wabigoon, ON, has written an entertaining and informative book detailing how the Native peoples of North America were amazingly creative in adapting to their harsh and dangerous environment and at developing techniques and innovations to improve their chances of survival in every situation imaginable." - Canadian Review of Materials

"The history of colonization, the Plains Cree people, and Littlechild’s own ancestors inform the text and brilliant paintings throughout this testament both personal and political. The red horse, torn in half, represents the experience of residential school. The symbolic use of circles, letters, repetition, and colours all demonstrate Littlechild’s healing through art and reflect hope and pride in the knowledge that “all this land was once Indian land.” (Ages 6-10)" - Publisher

"Bold in size, color and image, this book constitutes a stunning gallery of art by a Native American of singular vision." - Publishers Weekly

"For Tyrese, history class is the lowest point of his school day. This is, until his friend Levi reveals a secret -- a secret that brings history alive, in the form of one Gabriel Dumont. Through Dumont, a great Metis leader of the Northwest Resistance, the boys experience a bison hunt, a skirmish with the Blackfoot, and encounter with the great Louis Riel, and, ultimately, a great battle at Batoche, Saskatchewan. (Aimed at older kids.)" - Publisher

"A search down a wooded path for a well-hit baseball turns into an encounter between Pamela and a veteran soldier standing in front of a monument. The statue commemorates the heroism of Sgt. Tommy Prince, the most decorated Aboriginal soldier in Canada. Pamela is curious, and the veteran is happy to regale her with the story of the expert marksman and tracker, renowned for his daring and bravery in World War II and the Korean War. (Aimed at older kids.)" - Publisher