20 books for kids and teens to read for National Indigenous History Month

June is National Indigenous History Month. Celebrate by reading one of these books for younger readers by First Nations, Mtis and Inuit authors.

Una Huna? What is This? by Susan Aglukark

In musician Susan Aglukark'sfirst picture book, Ukpik loves her life at camp in the North with her family, friends and puppy. When a trader from the south arrives, Ukpik learns how to use forks, knives and spoons and is excited to teach other children as well. But then Ukpik wonders if the new tools will change her community's way of life andturns to her grandmother for guidance.

Una Huna? What is Thisis for ages 5-7.

• Susan Aglukark's picture book series will honour the resilience of the Inuit

Aglukark is a Juno award winning Inuksinger-songwriter.

I Will See You Againby Lisa Boivin

I Will See You Againis an illustrated memoir that chronicles Lisa Boivin's journey through her grieving process following her brother's death. When Boivin learns of his passing overseas, she sets out to bring him home. She finds comfort and strength through memories and dreams of all the moments she and her brother shared together and through her Dene traditions. The lyrical art and story offers a universal message of hope and love.

I Will See You Againis for ages 12 and up.

Lisa Boivin is an interdisciplinary artist, a PhD student at the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine and a member of the Deninu Kue First Nation.I Will See You Againis her first book.

Birdsongby Julie Flett

InBirdsong, a lonely girl becomes friends with her new neighbour,an elderly woman. Together, they watch the seasons change, but as they both grow older, the young girl learns to copewith her friend's declining health.Birdsongwas a finalist for the2019 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature illustration.

Birdsongis for readers aged 5-8.

Julie Fletthas illustrated several picture books includingLittle You,My Heart Fillswith HappinessandWe Sang You Home.She won the 2017 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature illustration forWhen We Were Alone, which was written by David A. Robertson.

The Case of the Missing Auntieby Michael Hutchinson

InThe Case of the Missing Auntie, the latestinstalment of The Mighty Muskrats Mystery series, the four cousins from the Windy Lake First Nation head to the city to visit the Exhibition Fair. There, theylearn about their grandfather's little sister, who was scooped up by the government and adopted out to strangers without her parents' permission many years ago. They launch a search for their auntie and,along the way, they learn aboutthe treatment of First Nations people in Canada.

The Case of the Missing Auntieis for ages 9-12.

Michael Hutchinson is a novelist and member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation. He currently lives in Ottawa and works at the Assembly of First Nations. He is the author ofThe Case of Windy Lake.

Life Cycles of Caribouby Monica Ittusardjuat, illustrated by Emma Pedersen

Life Cycles of Caribouis a bilingual book, featuring text in Inuktitut syllabics, Inuktitut Roman orthography and English. It shares six Inuktitut terms for caribou throughout their life cycles, giving the young readers an understanding of the rich Inuktitut terminology for these important animals.

Life Cycles of Caribouis for ages 0-3.

Monica Ittusardjuat is a residential school survivor. For many years, she worked as a teacher in elementary schools, high schools and teacher education programs. She is now the senior Inuktitut editor at Inhabit Education.

Emma Pedersen is a Toronto-based illustrator and visual storyteller.

Fire Songby Adam Garnet Jones

Following his sister's suicide, Shane, a gay Indigenous teenager in Northern Ontario, struggles to support his family. Shaneis eventually forced to choose between his family's home and his own future.Fire Songis an adaptation of Adam Garnet Jones's award-winning film.

Fire Songis for ages 13 and up.

• Fire Songchallenges flip advice to First Nations youth

Jones is an author, screenwriter and director from Edmonton.

Those Who Dwell Below by Aviaq Johnston, illustrated by Toma Feizo Gas

Those Who Dwell Belowis a sequel toAviaq Johnston's debut novel,Those Who Run in the Sky.After being trapped in a spirit world, a young shaman named Pitu returns to his life in the Arctic. When Pitugets wind of a nearby community that is starving, he realizes he must travel to the depths of the ocean to meet with the sea goddess Nuliajuk.

Those Who Dwell Belowis for readers aged 12 and up.

• Why author Aviaq Johnston's stories are rooted in the Arctic

Aviaq Johnston is an Inuk author from Igloolik, Nunavut.She is also the author of the charming children's bookWhat's My Superpower?illustrated by Tim Mack.Her YA novelThose Who Run in the Skywas a finalist for the 2018 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature text.

Nattiq And The Land Of Statuesby Barbara Landry, illustrated by Martha Kyak

A ringed seal, known in Inuktitut as nattiq, has returned to his Arctic home from a long trek south in Nattiq And The Land Of Statues. His friends a polar bear, caribou, raven, walrus and narwhal gather to hear about the amazing sights he saw on his journey. The book also includes a glossary of Inuktitut words.

Nattiq And The Land Of Statuesis for ages3-7.

Barbara Landry has written several books of poetry, including nunami. Nattiq And The Land Of Statuesis her first children's book.

Martha Kyak is an Inuit artist who has illustrated numerous children's books.

The Ghost Collectorby Allison Mills

The Ghost Collectorby Allison Mills is about a young girl named Shellywith an important job. She catches ghosts in her hair and helps them transition to the afterlife. But when Shelly's mom dies, she stops helping the ghosts and starts hoarding them, as she waits for her mother's ghost to arrive.The Ghost Collectoris inspired by Mills's great-grandmother's life and influenced by her Cree heritage.

The Ghost Collectoris for readers aged 10 and up.

• How family stories inspired Allison Mills's novel about a girl who catches spirits in her hair

Mills is a writer based in Vancouver.The Ghost Collectoris her first book.

Bear for Breakfastby RobertMunsch, illustrated by JayOdjick

Children's authorRobert Munschand illustrator Jay Odjick team up for a second picture book calledBear for Breakfast.In this tale, a boy named Donovan decides to catch a bear to eat for breakfast,just like his grandfather used to eat. When he goes hunting, Donovan discovers the bear might have other plans.

Bear for Breakfastis for readers aged 3-8.

• How Jay Odjick illustrated the Robert Munsch picture bookBear for Breakfast

Bear for Breakfastis inspired by a 1990 visit with the Chippewan community in La Loche, Sask., whereMunschmet a boy named Donovan who said he loved to eat bear.

Dakwkda Warriorsby Cole Pauls

Two Earth Protectors are charged with saving the planet from evil pioneers and cyborg sasquatches inDakwkda Warriors.The comic, translated intotwo dialects of Southern Tutchone, serves as an allegory for colonialism.

• Cole Pauls's comics preserve First Nations language and also celebrate punks eating pizza

Cole Pauls is a Tahltan comic artist. He createdDakwkda Warriorsas a language revival initiative. In 2017, it won Broken Pencil Magazine's Best Comic and Best Zine of the Year Award.

Ghostsby David A. Robertson

Ghostsis the third book inDavid A. Robertson's Reckoner series following an Indigenous teen namedCole Harper, who returns home after many years away. InGhosts,Cole is dead and time is running out for Wounded Sky First Nation as Mihko Laboratories, which manufactured an illness that once afflicted the community, has reopened its research facilities.

Ghostsis for readers 13 and up.

• 'Write what you're passionate about.' David A. Robertson's advice for his younger self

Robertson is an author andgraphic novelist based in Winnipeg.He has published more than 20 books across a variety of genres, including the graphic novelsWill I See?andSugar Fallsand the picture bookWhen We Were Alone.

Nibi is Waterby Joanne Robertson

Nibi is Water, written and illustrated by Joanne Robertson, looks atthe importance of Nibiwhich means water in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) and our role to thank, respect, loveand protect it. Babies and toddlers can follow Nibi as it rains and snows, splashes or rows, drips and sips. The picture book is written from an Anishinaabe water protector's perspective and is in dual language English and Ojibwe.

Nibi is Wateris for ages0-3.

Joanne Robertson is Anishinaabekwe and a member of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. She is the founder of the Empty Glass for Water campaign, which drawsattention to the ongoing drinking water crisis in Indigenous communities across Canada.

In My Anaana's Amautikby Nadia Sammurtok, illustrated by Lenny Lishchenko

Anamautikis a pouch inside a parka where you cancarry children. The picture bookIn My Anaana's Amautikis told from the perspective of a baby safely nestled in their mother's amautik.

In My Anaana's Amautikis for ages 3-7.

Nadia Sammurtokis an Inuk writer and educator. Her books includeThe Caterpillar WomanandThe Owl and the Two Rabbits.

Lenny Lishchenkois an illustrator based in Toronto.

Surviving the Cityby Tasha Spillett, illustrated by Natasha Donovan

High school students Miikwan, who is of Anishinaabedescent, and Dez, who is of Inninewdescent, are best friends in Winnipeg. Both have experiencedloss, as women in their lives have gone missing or been murdered. InSurviving the City,Miikwan and Dezlean on each other and their communities for support and strive to change the devastating trend of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Surviving the Cityis for ages 12 and up.

Tasha Spillett is an educator, poet and scholar of Nehiyaw and Trinidadian descent.

Natasha Donovan is an illustrator based in British Columbia. She also contributed to the graphic anthology This Place: 150 Years Retold.

The Girl and the Wolfby katherena vermette, illustrated by JulieFlett

In this picture book, a little girl gets lost in the woods while picking berries. A large grey wolf is able to tell where she is from by smelling her and helps her get home. In the meantime, the girl realizes she had the skills to find her way back all along.

The Girl and the Wolfis for readers aged 3-5.

• katherena vermette on why quiet stories speak the loudest

Bothkatherena vermetteand Julie Flett are Governor General's Literary Award-winning artists Vermettefor the poetry collectionNorth End Love Songsand Flett for the children's bookWhen We Were Alone.

Northwest Resistanceby katherena vermette, illustrated by Scott B. Henderson, colour by Donovan Yaciuk

The nextchapter in katherenavermette's graphic novel series follows time-travelling teen Echo Desjardinsas she witnesses the return of Louis Riel. The first two books in the A Girl Called Echo series werePemmican WarsandRed River Resistance.

Northwest Resistanceis for ages 11-15.

vermette is a Governor General's Literary Award-winning poet and bestselling novelist based in Winnipeg. Her books includeNorth End Love Songs,The Breakandriver woman.

Artists Scott B.Henderson and Donovan Yaciuk were contributors to the first two books in the graphic novel series.

LISTEN |katherena vermette on the Strangers trilogy:

Katherena Vermette releases last chapter in Strangers trilogy

1 year ago

Duration 2:02

Celebrated Winnipeg author Katherena Vermette is set to release her latest novel, The Circle, which is billed as the last instalment in her Strangers trilogy set in the Manitoba capital.

What the Eagle Seesby Eldon Yellowhorn & Kathy Lowinger

What the Eagle Seesisa follow-up to 2017'sTurtle Island.Itlooks at historical events to reflect an underrepresented Indigenous perspective of our collective past and how to move on in the present and future. Academic Eldon Yellowhorn again works with author Kathy Lowinger to continue an examination of the lasting impact of settler culture on the Indigenous community.

What the Eagle Seesis for readers aged 11 and up.

Yellowhorn is an academic and author from the Peigan Indian Reserve (Piikani Nation). Yellowhorn explores the mythology and folklore of his Indigenous ancestors and in how the past informs the present in his books.

LISTEN | Eldon Yellowhorn on The Next Chapter:

The Next Chapter16:15Three Indigenous authors on centring Indigenous values and knowledge in stories

Shelagh Rogers in conversation with Brandi Morin ( Our Voice of Fire: A Memoir of a Warrior Rising), Eldon Yellowhorn (Sky Wolfs Call: The Gift of Indigenous Knowledge) and Cody Caetano (Half-Bads in White Regalia) about writing indigeneity on location at the Vancouver Writers Festival

I Lost My TalkbyRita Joe&I'm Finding My TalkbyRebecca Thomas, both illustrated by Pauline Young

This children's book shares Rita Joe's iconic poemI Lost My Talkwith a new generation.I Lost My Talkis about how Joe, aMi'kmawelder and poet, lost her language and culture after she was sent to residential school.

I'm Finding My Talkis Rebecca Thomas's response to Rita Joe's poemI Lost My Talk. Thomas is a poet and a second-generation residential school survivor. InI'm Finding My Talk,she celebrates reconnecting with her language and culture.

Both books are for readers aged 4-8.

• Former Halifax poet laureate publishes companion book to famed Rita Joe poem

Both books are illustrated by Pauline Young, aMi'kmawillustrator who lives in New Brunswick.