Ryman McGregor and Abraham Scott have a lot in common. Both are Algonquin half-breeds unhappily attending St. Xavier's Residential School in Ontario and desperately seeking to escape the harsh hands of the abusive Jesuit priests. One night, the boys—along with Ryman's sister—decide to make a break for it, but RCMP trackers quickly pick up their …

Blaise is a fairly average Native girl growing up in Winnipeg and dealing with the normal triggers of teenage angst—parents, school, friends. Then her best friend is murdered by the Reds, a local gang, and she is the only witness. For protection, she turns to a rival gang called the West Bloods and her life changes forever. She must quickly learn …

A powerful medicine man, Yamozha is prominent in many Dene stories. In this vividly illustrated legend, Yamozha forgets a promise to his wife and she transforms into a giant beaver. Determined to turn her back into a woman, he sets off in search of her, but his efforts are in vain because she does not wish to be caught. According to the legend, Yam …

It is winter and the people are starving. There are no fish. They must seek the help of a medicine man to save them. The Man with the Otter Medicine tells of medicine power, the struggle for survival and an important part of the history and culture of the Dene people as it has been passed down through stories and legends for generations.

The discussion of Aboriginal governance is a highly contested site which brings together history, political theory (both Indigenous and Western), and legal theory, as well as culture, identity and notions of nationhood and citizenship. Gordon Christie has assembled a set of articles from a group of Quebécois academics who lend their perspectives a …

Behind Closed Doors features written testimonials from thirty-two individuals who attended the Kamloops Indian Residential School. The school was one of many infamous residential schools that operated from 1893 to 1979. The storytellers remember and share with us their stolen time at the school; many stories are told through courageous tears.

An adventure begins when Zoe finds a lone fawn in the forest and helps search for its mother. But who could the mother be? A bunny? A fish? Join Zoe and her father as they encounter many woodland animals and learn their Native names along the way.

The tale is simple yet charming. Zoe's inquisitive nature is endearing, as is her father's gentle patie …

Was the residential school era a misguided feature of Canada's generous humanitarian inclinations toward Aboriginal peoples? Were the notorious brutal acts of the operators of these schools the sporadic and isolated deeds of a few malign individuals? The authors of The Circle Game shout a resounding "No!" to these and related questions, arguing tha …

At times heart-stopping, at times heartbreaking, but always alive with a mixture of irresistible characters and real emotions, this story is a testament to the saving graces of community, of family, of tradition.

When Sky Woman fell from the upper world through a hole in the sky, earth was born. Since then, as Indigenous women, we have been resourceful, resilient and remarkable in our will to keep falling and moving forward. We fall to better ground because of the shining example of the incandescent lives of those who have gone before us. - From the introdu …

Honey Jacobson considered herself lucky to live in the last semi-traditional big house of the Kwagu'ł people: a four-storey house filled with a loving extended family of cousins, uncles, aunts and the patriarch and matriarch of the household, Grandpa Moses and Granny Axu. While new smaller houses were spreading throughout her community, Honey real …

The Gathering Tree is a beautifully illustrated children's book about HIV/AIDS. Written by award-winning First Nations author Larry Loyie and co-author Constance Brissenden, it is a gentle, positive story of a First Nations family facing HIV. After eleven-year-old Tyler and his younger sister Shay-Lyn learn their favorite cousin Robert has HIV, the …

Journey into Shuswap country in the time of early colonization. A neighbouring Indian tribe from over the Rocky Mountains abducts a group of Shuswap women and a great tale of trouble and triumph unfolds. Based on a traditional Shuswap legend, the story is told by a captured girla Shuswap chief's daughter. Harold Eustache takes us back to a time in …

Over twenty years ago, Aboriginal and Treaty Rights were included in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. They provided the basis for recognition of the unique status of Indigenous Peoples within Canada. After four first ministers' conferences on Aboriginal Constitutional Matters failed to produce any substantial agreement between Indigenous P …

Q'sapi, meaning "long time ago," is a book that traces the history of the Okanagan People. The People of the Okanagan Nation are located in the interior valley of British Columbia and all the way down past the border into the United States. Containing conversations with Elders and other members of the community, this book shares their personal expe …

This is a refreshing historical document about identity and education in a Native community in the time of residential schools. Anthony Walsh arrived at the Inkameep Day School in 1932 and started teaching. He had little experience in education but encouraged the children to explore their Aboriginal identity through art and drama.Anthony Walsh's ed …

This comprehensive book covers such topics as Native American affairs, women's and children's issues, environmental issues and mainstream politics. It's LaDuke's first complete collection of speeches, fictional writing and environmental/political pieces. As an advocate for Native American rights, champion of women's and children's issues, protector …

This story of an unusual friendship between a black cat and a white rat is full of colourful Métis affectations. With subtle references to the life of a Métis, the black cat is not accepted at the cat show as he is not considered a purebred. The white rat fiddles a tune, encouraging all the cats to learn to jig. They join together and achieve sta …

Creating Community is a special book about imagination and challenge. We know that writers try to tell us things. We know that what they tell is culturally-based. But what exactly are Aboriginal authors trying to tell us?Fifteen authors and scholars discuss Aboriginal literature in it's unique Canadian context

This critical anthology of essays by Aboriginal academics provides an in-depth analysis of the emerging body of literature by Aboriginal authors. The contributors study the works of their peers with an insightful understanding of the significance of contemporary literature within Aboriginal cultural paradigms.This critical anthology of essays by Ab …

DraMétis is the first anthology to focus on the emerging discipline of Métis drama. The pieces have all been previously produced and highlight the diversity of Métis drama being written and performed in Canada.

Diane "Honey" Jacobson's latest book is an important comment about First Nations efforts to save the salmon and her personal youthful journey to find meaning and a sense of place in life. Like the style in her first book My Life in a Kwagu'l Big House, Diane's style in My Life with the Salmon is full of action, amazing adventures and fascinating co …

The work gathered in this anthology spans a wide range of formats and styles: essay, biography, story, prose and journalism. Pertinent pieces include "Albums That Saved My Life" by Richard Van Camp, "Iron Yells" by Gerry William and "Feast of Four Winds" by Beth Cuthand.

Bent Box is the first collection of poetry by Lee Maracle. The poems speak volumes of emotion ranging from quiet desperation to bitter anger to the depths of love. Maracle adds a rich blend of prose and poetry to her impressive list of fiction and autobiographical titles which include Bobbi Lee: Indian Rebel, I Am Woman, Ravensong, Sundogs and her …

The second novel by renowned Okanagan author Jeannette Armstrong traces the life of a young Native woman on a reserve who is exposed to pesticides while working as a fruit picker in the Okanagan Valley.Whispering in Shadows provides a glimpse into the complexities of the contemporary life and psyche of Aboriginal peoples. The novel conveys an impor …

This book is a photo journal of the special relationship between the horse and the Okanagan people. Included are stories from Okanagan oral tradition, Okanagan Elders' statements, and stories about the people and events depicted in the photographs.Photographs date from the late 1800s to the 1990s; most date from the first half of the twentieth cent …

This is Ellen White's sequel to Kwulasulwut: Stories from the Coast Salish. The new volume features four more freshly written and translated English versions of traditional Salish legends adapted for children.

Red Blood is the first novel by Native American author Jack Forbes whose incredibly prolific writing career includes more than fifteen titles. The novel traces a young Native American man's journey through life, and consequent coming of age, as he travels all over North America seeking insights into his values, relationships, spirituality and cultu …

Slash is Jeannette Armstrong's first novel. It poignantly traces the struggles, pain and alienation of a young Okanagan man who searches for truth and meaning in his life. Recognized as an important work of literature, Slash is used in high schools, colleges and universities.

After ten-year-old Shawna moves to the West Coast with her mother, she misses Meshom (her grandfather) but is surprised when he arrives for her birthday.

Opening in the Sky is Armand Ruffo's first collection of poetry. Drawing from his Ojibway heritage, the author explores identity, alienation, liberation, love and loss. His poems examine the violence against the Native peoples and the land. Black-and-white illustrations by Leo Yerxa are also featured in the book.

Revised and re-released, this ethereal collection of poetry and prose is written in four distinct yet cohesive parts: Our Sacred Spaces, Invasion, Revolution and Return to Our Sacred Spaces. Through haunting and exquisite imagery, poet Beth Cuthand embarks on a lyrical journey heavy with both despair and tender hope. The words linger in your mind, …