• Share:

Observe National Indigenous History Month this June by exploring the HighWater Press books below. Each title was chosen to honour Indigenous girls and women and to offer a multi-dimensional understanding of what is now known as Canada.

-----
FOR ADULTS

Spíləx̣m
A Weaving of Recovery, Resilience, and Resurgence
by Nicola I. Campbell
ages 18+

In this exceptional memoir, bestselling author Nicola I. Campbell deftly weaves together rich poetry and vivid prose to illustrate what it means to be an intergenerational survivor of Indian Residential Schools.

Find your copy of this White Ravens 2022 selection here≫

In Search of April Raintree
40th Anniversary Edition
by Beatrice Mosionier
Ages 18+

I am endlessly indebted to Beatrice Mosionier and April Raintree for lighting the way to my own stories.
—Cherie Dimaline, award-winning author of The Marrow Thieves

Rediscover Beatrice Mosionier’s groundbreaking classic with this 40th anniversary edition. Intimate, hopeful, and impossible to put down.

Learn more here≫

The Evolution of Alice
Reissued Edition
by David A. Robertson
For ages 18+

Peopled with unforgettable characters and told from multiple points of view, this is a novel where spirits are alive, forgiveness is possible, and love is the only thing that matters.

Reissued with a new story by David A. Robertson and foreword by Shelagh Rogers.

Find it here≫

Last Standing Woman
25th Anniversary Edition
by Winona LaDuke
ages 18+

Hopeful, irreverent, and deeply moving, Last Standing Woman chronicles the stories and struggles of an Anishinaabe community across seven generations.

Written by Anishinaabe author Winona LaDuke, find the Last Standing Woman here≫

-----
FOR OLDER READERS

A Girl Called Echo Omnibus
by katherena vermette
line art by Scott B. Henderson
colour by Donovan Yaciuk
ages 12+

Métis teenager Echo Desjardins is struggling to adjust to a new school and a new home. When an ordinary day in history class turns extraordinary, Echo is pulled into a time-travelling adventure. Follow Echo as she experiences pivotal events from Métis history, gains new perspectives about where she came from, and imagines what the future might hold.

The A Girl Called Echo series of four graphic novels is a story about identity, isolation, and finding strength and hope through family. Find Echo’s entire time-travelling adventure in the omnibus here≫

Surviving the City series
Surviving the City, Vol. 1
From the Roots Up, Vol. 2
by Tasha Spillett
line art and colours by Natasha Donovan
ages 12+

High school is tough enough. On top of class work, best friends Miikwan and Dez struggle with grief for missing family members, the death of a grandparent, placement in a group home, navigating a first love, and coming into their identities, as well as being at odds with each other from time to time. Together, the teens face the challenges of growing up Indigenous in an urban landscape, and learn to look to their communities and the spirits of their ancestors for support.

Surviving the City and From the Roots Up deal with the racism and discrimination experienced by Indigenous and Two-Spirit teens. These eye-opening graphic novels are written by New York Times-bestselling author Tasha Spillett with captivating artwork by Natasha Donovan.

Order your copies here≫

Sugar Falls
10th Anniversary Edition
by David A. Robertson
line art by Scott B. Henderson
colour by Donovan Yaciuk
ages 15+

Inspired by true events, this story of strength, family, and culture shares the awe-inspiring resilience of Elder Betty Ross. This anniversary edition now includes a foreword by Hon. Murray Sinclair, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and a touching afterword from Elder Betty Ross herself.

Get the updated and full-colour version here ≫ as well as the guide for teachers here≫

The Reckoner Rises series
Breakdown, Vol. 1
Version Control, Vol. 2
by David A. Robertson
line art by Scott B. Henderson
colour by Donovan Yaciuk
lettering by Andrew Thomas
ages 12+

Perfect for superhero fans, acclaimed writer, David A. Robertson, delivers suspense, adventure, and humour in this stunningly illustrated graphic novel continuation of The Reckoner trilogy.

After finding out Mihko reinstated the Reckoner Initiative in Breakdown, Cole and Eva confront Mihko head-on. When a vicious battle with Mihko’s newest test subject leaves Cole close to death in Version Control, Eva fearlessly takes the lead to investigate Mihko’s diabolical experiments.

What new terrors has Mihko created? Can they be stopped?

Order Volume 1 and Volume 2 here≫ and read the origin story in The Reckoner trilogy found here≫

This Place
150 Years Retold
by Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Sonny Assu, Brandon Mitchell, Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley, Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, David A. Robertson, Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair, Jen Storm, Richard Van Camp, Katherena Vermette, Chelsea Vowel
illustrated by Tara Audibert, Kyle Charles, GMB Chomichuk, Natasha Donovan, Scott B. Henderson, Andrew Lodwick, Scott A. Ford, Donovan Yaciuk, Ryan Howe, and Jen Storm
ages 15+

This Place is a groundbreaking graphic novel anthology that re-frames Canada’s history, present, and future through the perspectives of Indigenous writers. Through the anthology’s 10 beautifully illustrated stories, readers will encounter Indigenous wonderworks, psychic battles, and even time travel.

Get a new perspective on the past 150 years—and beyond—by ordering your copy here≫ as well as the teacher guide here≫

-----
FOR YOUNGER READERS

Heart Berry Bling
by Jenny Kay Dupuis
illustrated by Eva Campbell
ages 6–8

A touching story about perseverance, family, and the tradition of beading from the bestselling co-author of I Am Not a Number.

On a visit to her granny, Maggie is excited to begin her first-ever beading project: a pair of strawberry earrings. However, beading is much harder than she expected! As she learns about patience and perseverance from her granny’s teachings, Maggie discovers that beading is a journey, and like every journey, it’s easier with a loved one at her side.

In this beautifully illustrated book, children learn about the tradition of Anishinaabe beadwork, strawberry teachings, and gender discrimination in the Indian Act.

Find it here≫

Explore themes of social justice, cultural continuity, and resilience through art with the Teacher Guide for Heart Berry Bling found here≫

When We Were Alone
by David A. Robertson
illustrated by Julie Flett
ages 6–8

An empowering story of resistance that gently introduces children to the history of residential schools in Canada.

In When We Were Alone, a young girl notices things about her grandmother that make her curious. As she asks questions, her grandmother tells her about her experiences in a residential school.

Order the Governor General’s Award-winning book that continues to captivate readers across the globe here≫

Awâsis and the World-Famous Bannock
by Dallas Hunt
illustrated by Amanda Strong
ages 3–5

When Awâsis’s kôhkum (grandmother) asks her to deliver a batch of her world-famous bannock to a relative, a mishap takes Awâsis on a detour through her community. As young readers follow Awâsis on her journey, they’ll encounter words in Cree that describe her world.

This charming book includes a recipe for kôhkum’s world-famous bannock!

Find it here≫

Adventures of the Pugulatmu’j series
Giju’s Gift, Vol. 1
by Brandon Mitchell
line art by Veronika Barinova
lettering by Britt Wilson
ages 6–8

A Mi’kmaw girl battles an ancient giant and forms an unexpected friendship in the first volume of the Adventures of the Pugulatmu’j series of graphic novels inspired by traditional stories.

Join Mali and Puug as they race to keep one step ahead of the ancient giant!

Bonus instructions for making your own memory box included at the back of the book.

Order the graphic novel here≫

The Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak series
Pīsim Finds Her Miskanaw, Book 1
Amō’s Sapotawan, Book 2
by William Dumas
illustrated by Leonard Paul(Book 1) and Rhian Brynjolson (Book 2)
ages 9–11

Rocky Cree people understand that all children are born with gifts or talents. When a child is old enough, they decide which gift, or mīthikowisiwin, they will seek to master. Discover what path Pīsim and Amō, two young girls, will choose in The Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak series.

Incredibly rich in detail, historical notes, and culture, Pīsim Finds Her Miskanaw and Amō’s Sapotawan are both great introductions to Rocky Cree history and culture as well as gentle, heartwarming stories about finding oneself.
—The Library Ladies

Find these award-winning books here≫

Mothers of Xsan series
The Sockeye Mother, The Grizzly Mother, The Eagle Mother, The Frog Mother, The Wolf Mother, The Raven Mother
by Hetxw’ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson)
illustrated by Natasha Donovan
ages 9–11

The Gitxsan Nation are Indigenous peoples whose homeland surrounds the Xsan, or “River of Mist,” which is also known as the Skeena River in northwestern British Columbia. In the Mothers of Xsan series, author Hetxw’ms Gyetxw (Brett D. Huson) and illustrator Natasha Donovan use striking illustrations, traditional formline art, and lyrical language to paint a vivid picture of the Gitxsan’s traditional territories. Learn about the seasonal changes of the Xsan river valley and how the ecosystem shapes the Gitxsan calendar, language, and culture.

Follow each mother as she teaches her young to survive on their own. Science comes alive here≫

Sḵ’ad’a Stories series
Dancing With Our Ancestors, Book 4
by Sara Florence Davidson and Robert Davidson
illustrated by Janine Gibbons
ages 6–8

In this tender picture book, Sara Florence Davidson transports readers to the excitement of a potlatch in Hydaburg, Alaska—her last memory of dancing with her late brother.

Learn about the cultural significance of the Haida potlatch through the sights, sounds, and dances of this once-banned ceremony here≫

Find the Sḵ’ad’a Stories series here≫

Written by Sḵ'ad'a Stories author Sara Florence Davidson and educator Katya Adamov Ferguson, the Teacher Guide for the Sḵ'ad'a Stories engages students through the lens of intergenerational learning and authentic experiences.

Find the guide for teachers here≫

-----
The National Indian Residential School Survivor Society Crisis Line provides 24/7 support for Survivors and those affected. Access emotional and crisis referral services by calling 1-800-721-0066 or visit www.irsss.ca/.

Books, education, and knowledge are not enough. For those looking to take meaningful action, visit https://oncanadaproject.ca/settlerstakeaction.