Catherine Coles
Coles’ Notes
In June, Canada celebrates National Indigenous History Month (as well as National Indigenous People’s Day on June 21) as a way of honoring the country’s original inhabitants. Jennifer, a librarian at our Amherstview Branch, has compiled a list of books that acknowledge the rich heritage and recognize the strength of present-day First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. The following are her picks specifically for children, but you can find suggested reads in the categories of adult fiction and non-fiction at CountyLibrary.ca
Turtle Island: The Story of North America’s First People by Eldon Yellowhorn
Professor Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn is a member of the Piikani Nation who is a native speaker of the Blackfoot language and is working to preserve its future. Beginning 100 000 years ago, this history book presents a fulsome view of the original inhabitants of this continent through sacred origin stories and contemporary scientific information. Throughout the text, concise sidebars discuss Indigenous sports, inventions, science, art, technology, literature, and significant figures past and present.
Treaty Words: for as Long as the Rivers Flow by Aimee Craft & Luke Swinson
Attorney and Associate Professor Aimee Craft is a member of the Anishinaabe-Metis nations with expertise in Anishinaabe and Canadian Aboriginal Law. Instead of a typical focus on conflict, this unique story presents layered teachings that encompass both people and land to help illustrate the significance of treaties as “agreements to make relationships.”
Stolen Words by Melanie Florence
Melanie Florence is an award-winning writer of Cree and Scottish heritage based in Toronto. Her picture book illustrates the intergenerational impact of Canada’s residential school system that separated Indigenous children from their families and the beautiful, healing relationship between a little girl and her grandfather. It won an award for its portrayal of strength.
Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids (Multiple Contributors)
Members of various nations, including Cree, Ojibwe, Choctaw, Cherokee, Navajo, Abenaki, and Haudenosaunee follow an intertribal powwow model to share contemporary short stories, poems and art that reflect young people’s experiences of timeless interconnected themes.
SkySisters by Jan Bourdeau Waboose
Jan Bourdeau Waboose is a Nishnawbe Ojibway writer from Northern Ontario. Her award-winning First Nations Communities Read picture book shares the adventure of two Ojibway sisters who traverse the frozen north country to see the SkySpirits’ midnight dance (a.k.a. The Northern Lights.)
All of these book can be reserved from your branch of the County of L&A Libraries, or online at CountyLibrary.ca