This Indigenous History Month, we’re sharing 13 more incredible reads to honour the powerful artistic expressions of west coast Indigenous creators! In Part 1 of this series, we explored nonfiction, memoir, and children’s titles themed around Indigenous history and cultural reclamation. In Part 2, we’ll share some remarkable gems of poetry, children’s picture books, essay collections, and more.
FICTION
All the Quiet Places by Brian Thomas Isaac (TouchWood Editions)
All the Quiet Places takes readers on a journey through the profound impacts of colonialism on Indigenous communities. This captivating tale delves into the poignant experience of cultural detachment, as the reader follows protagonist Eddie’s life through various upheavals and uprootings. Anchored by the raw and unfiltered perspective of Eddie, this narrative weaves a compelling tapestry of honesty and raw emotion in this remarkable, award-winning debut novel.
Available now!
Where I Belong by Tara White (Tradewind Books)
In this young adult novel, self-discovery is emotionally charged and set against the backdrop of the Oka crisis in the summer of 1990. Carrie has forever felt a sense of displacement among her adopted family. When she learns that her biological father is Mohawk, residing in the community of Kahnawake in Quebec, she is determined to unearth her true roots. Embarking on a transformative pilgrimage, she unearths a new sense of home and belonging, which has eluded her until now.
Available now!
ESSAYS & COLLECTIONS
Cherokee Earth Dwellers by Christopher B. Teuton and Hastings Shade, with Loretta Shade and Larry Shade; Illustrated by MaryBeth Timothy (UBC Press)
Cherokee Earth Dwellers explores the essence of “Ayetli gadogv”—standing in the middle—which lies at the core of Cherokee perspectives on the natural world. Rooted in the rich tapestry of Cherokee creature and plant names meticulously documented by Elder Hastings Shade during his lifetime, this captivating book offers a profound and vibrant understanding of nature.
Available now!
Bent Back Tongue by Garry Gottfriedson (Caitlin Press & Dagger Editions)
A powerful exploration of love, identity, politics, masculinity, and vulnerability, Gottfriedson confronts the impact of Canadian colonialism and the religious and political paradigms that shape the experiences of a Secwépemc First Nations man in Bent Back Tongue. With a razor-sharp honesty and piercing satire, this book serves as a luminous celebration of love, land, family, and self.
Available now!
In Our Own Aboriginal Voice 2: A collection of Indigenous authors and artists in Canada, edited by Michael Calvert (Rebel Mountain Press)
In Our Own Aboriginal Voice 2 is an extraordinary anthology featuring a captivating blend of short fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and original Indigenous artwork. Esteemed authors such as the late Connie Fife, Joanne Arnott, Michelle Sylliboy, and Dennis Saddleman join emerging writers on these pages. These Indigenous writers have come together in one anthology to share their unique perspectives, breathing life into narratives that illuminate the lived experiences of Indigenous Peoples.
Available now!
POETRY
Old Gods by Conor Kerr (Nightwood Editions)
In his remarkable collection, Conor Kerr takes readers through the everyday lives, struggles, and connections of his characters, all under the watchful eyes of the omnipresent natural world. Within these verses, family takes on multifaceted dimensions. Old Gods challenges the presence of colonialism on the sprawling prairies as Kerr skillfully immerses the reader in the Métis mindset. The ancient gods of the earth reside within the rivers, the birds, the hills, and the endless prairie landscape.
Available now!
Dreams and Journeys by Frederick McDonald (Harbour Publishing)
In this enlightening collection by poet and visual artist Frederick McDonald, the complexities of living between two distinct realms are explored. Through daydreams that transform into nocturnal reveries, the author embarks on a voyage of self-discovery and heightened consciousness. Existing in the dominant Canadian narrative as a “savage” stereotype and “ancient” archetype, McDonald ponders the intricacies of these contrasting realms, contemplating the past, potential futures, and his community’s struggles against political policies and propaganda. Amidst this contemplation, the enduring spirit of the natural environment shines through, persevering amidst human-led destruction.
Available now!
Spells, Wishes, and the Talking Dead: ᒪᒪᐦᑖᐃᐧᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᐸᑯᓭᔨᒧᐤ ᓂᑭᐦᒋ ᐋᓂᐢᑯᑖᐹᐣ mamahtâwisiwin, pakosêyimow, nikihci-âniskotâpân by Wanda John-Kehewin (Talonbooks)
Spells, Wishes, and the Talking Dead ᒪᒪᐦᑖᐃᐧᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᐸᑯᓭᔨᒧᐤ ᓂᑭᐦᒋ ᐋᓂᐢᑯᑖᐹᐣ mamahtâwisiwin, pakosêyimow, nikihci-âniskotâpân is a powerful exploration by Wanda John-Kehewin, defying boundaries of form, space, and language to reveal the indomitable forces that colonialism cannot suppress. This unflinching portrayal exposes the harrowing consequences of Canada’s colonial past, its ongoing impact on the safety and mental well-being of Indigenous people, the theft of their language, and the intergenerational damage it has caused. Yet, within these pages, one finds the relentless power of resistance and the immense strength of truth. Through her courageous commitment to “stand in her truth,” John-Kehewin provides a beacon for other survivors to reclaim their own.
Available now!
Some People Fall in the Lodge and Then Eat Berries All Winter by annie ross (Talonbooks)
Amidst a backdrop of floods, fires, plagues, and famines, annie ross, a Maya/Irish writer and artist, presents her poignant, poetic work, Some People Fall in the Lodge and Then Eat Berries All Winter. A profound reflection of our current times, complemented by the author’s own woodcuts, ross gives voice to the anguish of existing in a world where machinery reigns supreme, centering ideals of harmony, peace, and love for Mother Earth.
Available now!
CHILDREN’S STORIES
kā-āciwīkicik / The Move by Doris George, Don K. Philpot, illustrated by Alyssa Koski (Heritage House)
The Move is a GG Books-nominated, magical children’s book that tells the story of two Cree Elders adapting to their new environment after being displaced from their ancestral homeland. Initially faced with a barren and lifeless landscape, the couple gradually infuses their old customs and traditions into their surroundings. As their family visits and nature blooms, the once desolate community of Easterville transforms into a vibrant and thriving place, where the elderly couple can enjoy their remaining days in happiness.
Available now!
The Girl Who Loved the Birds by Elinor Atkins and Joseph Dandurand (Nightwood Editions)
A heartfelt children’s story by Joseph Dandurand, an award-winning poet and Kwantlen storyteller, and accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Elinor Atkins, The Girl Who Loved the Birds tells the tale of a young Kwantlen girl who develops a deep bond with the birds on her island home. Through acts of kindness, such as collecting materials for nests and sharing meals, the girl forms a lifelong connection with her feathered companions. Dandurand’s simple and graceful writing captures the essence of kinship and connection in this striking story.
Available now!
JAJ: A Haida Manga by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas (Douglas & McIntyre)
Visual artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas masterfully depicts the complex and turbulent history of the initial encounter between Europeans and Indigenous communities, as well as the subsequent colonization of the northern West Coast, in JAJ, Yahgulanaas’s sequel to Carpe Fin. Combining traditional and contemporary artistic elements, Yahgulanaas transcends the conventional boundaries of comic book art by incorporating the fluid shapes of North Pacific iconography. Through the narratives of significant historical figures, the story encompasses pivotal moments and little-known histories.
Available now!
Oolichan Moon by Lucy Trimble and Samantha Beynon (Harbour Publishing)
Beautifully illustrated, Oolichan Moon is a children’s book that celebrates Nisga’a culture and the significance of the oolichan fish. Through captivating illustrations and engaging storytelling, Lucy Trimble and Samantha Beynon impart traditional knowledge from Nisga’a Elders to young readers. This book serves as a vibrant exploration of Nisga’a language, history and culture, featuring historical and cultural information about the oolichan fish and Nisga’a vocabulary.
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