17 books for kids and young adults to read for National Indigenous History Month

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada. In honour of this month, here's a list of great books for young readers to check out. This list was curated in 2022.

Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh /This Is How I Knowby Brittany Luby, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley,translated by Alvin Ted Corbiere & Alan Corbiere

This Is How I Knowis a vibrant story poem about an Anishinaabe child, her grandmother and a look at the wonders and beauty of the natural world.

This Is How I Knowis for ages 3 to 7.

Brittany Luby is an academic andchildren's book author.She isthe great-granddaughter of Chief Kawitaskung, an Anishinaabe leader who signed the North-West Angle Treaty of 1873.

Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley is an Ojibway multidisciplinary artist from Ontario, whose family is from Wasauksing First Nation.

Alvin Ted Corbiere and Alan Corbiereare Anishinaabe from M'Chigeeng First Nation. The father and son duo translated theAnishinaabemowin text for the book.

On the TraplinebyDavid A. Robertson, illustrated byJulie Flett

David A. Robertsonand Julie Flettof award-winning picture bookWhen We Were Alonefameteam up again forOn the Trapline. The picture book is a celebration of Indigenous culture and fathers and grandfathers as it tells the generational story of a boy and his grandfather.

On the Traplinewonthe 2021 Governor General's Literary Award foryoung people's literature illustrated books.

On the Traplineis for ages 4 to 8.

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Robertsonis an author and graphic novelist based in Winnipeg. The multi-talented writer of Swampy Cree heritage has published 25 books across a variety of genres, including the graphic novelsWill I See?andSugar Falls, aGovernor General's Literary Award-winning picture book calledWhen We Were Alone,illustrated by Julie Flett, and the YA bookStrangers.

Flett is a Cree Mtis author, illustrator and artist. Flett has illustrated several picture books includingLittle You,My Heart Fills with Happiness,We Sang You HomeandBirdsong.Birdsongwas a finalist for the2019 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature illustration.

Jigging for Halibut with Tsiniiby Sara Florence Davidson & Robert Davidson, illustrated by Janine Gibbons

This picturebook reflectsthe Haida Sk'ad'a Principles as it looks at Haida artist Robert Davidson's own experiences with Tsinii(grandfather).Jigging for Halibut with Tsiniiis a culturallook at a young boy, his grandfather and a day spent fishing using traditional methods.

Jigging for Halibut with Tsiniiis for ages 6 to 8.

Sara Florence Davidson is a Haida/Settler author and assistant professor in Indigenous education at Simon Fraser University.

Robert Davidson is one of the most respected and important contemporary artists in Canada. A Northwest Coast native of Haida descent, he is a master carver of totem poles and masks and works in a variety of other media as a printmaker, painterand jeweller.

Janine Gibbons, a Haida Raven of the Double-Fin Killer Whale Clan, Brown Bear House, is a multi-disciplinary artist andillustrator. She has illustrated three books in the Sealaska Heritage's Baby Raven Reads series, includingRaven Makes the Aleutians.

Una Huna?: Ukpik Learns to Sewby Susan Aglukark, illustrated by Amiel Sandland & Rebecca Brook

This picture book from Inuk singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark follows Ukpik, whose mom is keen to teach her how to make mitts from caribou skin. But Ukpik can't stop thinking about the bright and beautiful beads her mother traded the Captain for on his last visit. Her mom knows it's more important that she learn the skills to make her own clothes in the cold Arctic climate but she does have a surprise for Ukpik that will let her enjoy something beautiful while also doing something practical.

Una Huna?: Ukpik Learns to Sewis for ages 3 to 5.

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Susan Aglukark is an Inuk musician and author of children's books. Her picture bookUna Huna? What is This?was published in 2018.

Amiel Sandland is an illustrator living in the Toronto area. He studied illustration at Seneca College, eventually specializing in comic arts and character design.

Rebecca Brook is a Toronto-based artist working in the animation industry.

Tpw and the Magic Hatby Buffy Sainte-Marie, illustrated by Michelle Alynn Clement

Tpw and the Magic Hatis a chapter book byIndigenous icon Buffy Sainte-Marie involvingoral histories and traditions. Set on a prairie reserve, Tpw receives a mysterious gift from Kokhom a magical hat that comes with its own set of surprises.Tpwgoes on atrip featuring trickster characters and adventure.

Tpw and the Magic Hatis for ages 6to 9.

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Cree singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie's long career includes an expansive catalogue of music, art and work in activism.Hey Little Rockabye,published in 2020,was her first children's picture book.

Michelle Alynn Clement is an award-winning book designer and illustrator from Vancouver.

Forever Birchwoodby Danielle Daniel

Forever Birchwoodis the story of a adventurous, trail-blazing Wolf. She is thegreat-granddaughter of a tree talker, lives in a northern mining town, and spends her days exploring the mountains and wilderness with her three best friends Penny, Ann and Brandi.Forever Birchwoodis a story of destiny as Wolf works with her friends to save her hometown from forces who are trying to harm the environment.

Forever Birchwoodis for ages 8to 12.

Danielle Daniel is a writer and artistof settler and Indigenous ancestry living in the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek (Sudbury, Ont.). Her other books includeThe Dependent, which was shortlisted for the 2017 Northern Lit Award, and the picture booksOnce in a Blue MoonandSometimes I Feel Like a Fox, which won the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and was a finalist for the Blue Spruce Award and First Nation Communities Read Awards. She also illustrated the 2018 Marilyn Baillie Award-shortlisted picture bookYou Hold Me Up, written by Monique Gray Smith.

The Gift of the Little Peopleby William Dumas, illustrated by Rhian Brynjolson

The Gift of the Little Peopleis a middle-grade book about a Rocky Cree Elder named Kakakiw and a quest to find a medical cure before lives are lost.Kakakiw's journey is based on his traditional teachings of the Asiniskaw Ithiniwak and he must learn to trust in the gift of the Little People.

The Gift of the Little Peopleis for ages 9to 11.

William Dumas isan educator and Rocky Cree Storyteller who was born in Manitoba.Dumas is the author of The Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Ithiniwak series and uses thepower of storytelling to teach Indigenous youth about identity and belonging.

Rhian Brynjolsonis a visual artist, author, book illustratorand art educator wholives and works on the edge of Treaty 3 territory ineastern Manitoba. Brynjolsonis the illustrator of over 15 children's books and author ofTeaching Art: A Complete Guide for the Classroom.

Rabbit Chaseby Elizabeth LaPense, illustrated by KC Oster, translated by Aarin Dokum

Rabbit Chaseis a middle-grade book that incorporates Anishinaabe culture with an Alice in Wonderland-type story. Aime is an non-binary Anishinaabe student who travels on a school trip to meet with water spirits known asPaayehnsag. Aime soon finds themself in an adventure featuring an alternate dimension, a Trickster and a Queen with robot guards who are trying to claim the land.

Rabbit Chaseis for ages 8 to 12.

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Elizabeth LaPenseis an Anishinaabe, Mtisand Irish writer and illustrator whose work appears inMoonshot: The Indigenous Comics Collectionseries,Deer Woman: An Anthologyand more.

KC Oster is an Ojibwe-Anishinaabe comic artist and illustrator. They live in the Rainy River District of Northwestern Ontario.

Giju's Giftby Brandon Mitchell, illustrated by Veronika Barinova and Britt Wilson

In the first volume of this graphic novel series inspired by traditional stories, a Mi'kmaw girl, Mali, is sad after her favourite hair clip goes missing. Her mom thinks she lost it, but Mali knows deep down it was stolen by thepugulatmu'j, or Little People, the original guardians of the land who make their presence known by the tricks they play. When she meets Puug, he's wearing her hair clip, but she has to help him hunt for the objects on his list before she can get it back. One small problem: first they have to outsmart the ancient giant that's chasing them.

Giju's Giftis for ages 6to8.

Brandon Mitchellis the Fredericton-basedfounder of Birch Bark Comics and creator of the Sacred Circles comic series, which draws on his Mi'kmaq heritage.

Veronika Barinovais an emerging illustrator currently living in Calgary. She has a Bachelor in visualcommunication design from the Alberta University of the Arts and works primarily in digital media.

Britt Wilson is an Ontario ceramic artist, illustrator, cartoonistand letterer. A graduate from Sheridan College, Britt is the author-illustrator ofBritt Wilson's Greatest Book on Earth,Ghost Queen, andCat Dad, King of the Goblins.

Ben the Sea Lionby Roy Henry Vickers

Ben the Sea Lionwas inspired by an adventure from Tsimshian storyteller and artist Roy Henry Vickers' own childhood in the Indigenous village of Kitkatla, on B.C.'s north coast. When Uncle Johnny accidentally catches an orphaned sea lion pup in his fishing net, young Roy and his cousin Bussy nurse it back to health. They name the pup Ben, short for Teeben the Tsimshian word for sea lion. But eventually Ben must return to the wild, leaving his human friends to remember him fondly.

Ben the Sea Lionis for ages 3to 5.

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Roy Henry Vickersis a B.C.-based carver, painter and printmaker. He is the co-author of the popular children's Northwest Coast Legends series:Raven Brings the Lightin 2014,Cloudwalkerin 2015,Orca Chiefin 2016 andPeace Dancerin 2017.

Runs with the Starsby Darcy Whitecrow and Heather M. O'Connor, illustrated by Lenny Lishchenko

Runs with the Starsis a picture book featuring theOjibwe Horses that used to roam the forests of northwestern Ontario. The horses once ran wild and free, but when Grandfather was a boy, they almost disappeared. Now he is the caretaker of his own small herd, keeping the breed alive for future generations and teaching his grandchild about the loving bond between humans and animals.

Runs with the Starsis for ages 6 to 8.

Author Darcy Whitecrow is Ojibwe and Dakota;heis a member of the Seine River First Nation band in Northwestern Ontario, where he lives. Whitecrow practices traditional lifestyles like trapping, fishing, and ricing, as well as traditional spirituality in both the Midewiwin and Sundance traditions.

Heather M. O'Connor is a children's author and freelance writer based in Peterborough, Ont. She first learned about Ojibwe Horses while writing for the Ontario Parks blog and quickly became obsessed.

Lenny Lishchenko is an Ontario illustrator, graphic designerand comics maker who will never give up the chance to draw a good birch tree. Ukrainian-born and Canadian-raised, she's interested in telling stories that people remember years later in the early mornings, when everything is quiet and still.

Tanna's Lemmingby Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, illustrated by Tamara Campeau

Inspired by a true story, in this follow-up toTanna's Owl,Tanna finds a small grey lemming far too cute to turn over to the scientist who had sent kids out to gather lemmings for his research. Instead, Tanna deems Fluffi to be a family member and attempts to raise the lemming in her home. But when Fluffi strays from its cozy bed behind the stove and into Tanna's mother's things, Tanna is forced to consider whether she has really done what is best for the creature.

Tanna's Lemmingis for ages 6to8.

Born in an Arctic wilderness camp and of Inuit ancestry, Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley is a scholar specializing in world religions and cultures. Her numerous articles and books concerning Inuit magic and lore have earned her a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Of Scottish-Mohawk ancestry, Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley is a folklorist and fantasist, specializing in mythology, magic, and Inuit lore. He has won an award for writing short science fiction ("Green Angel"), but his focus is on fiction and nonfiction for a young audience.

Tamara Campeauis a Montreal-basedartistwho works digitally to create her painterly storytelling illustrations. Her work has a strong sense of lighting, naturalistic colours, and dynamic composition. She is strongly inspired by wildlife, children, and the environments in which they reside.

White Ravenby Teoni Spathelfer, illustrated by Natassia Davies

White Ravenis a picture book aboutLittle Wolf, a woman who moves from her home in the city to her ancestral island. The move is inspired by a desireto show herfamily their roots and culture. Little Wolf's mother, White Raven, soon arrives to tell the family stories of her own childhood, whichwasn't always a happyone.White Ravenis a story of reconnecting with the past in order to move forward into the future.

White Ravenis for ages 4 to 8.

Teoni Spathelfer is a radio journalist and author who is a member of the Heiltsuk Nation from coastal British Columbia.

Natassia Davies is a Victoria-based artist and graphic designer and is of Coast Salish ancestry.

Buffalo Wild!by Deidre Havrelock, illustrated by Azby Whitecalf

Buffalo Wild!features a magical night aboutbuffalo and a boy.Declan and hiskokumlove stories and art ofBuffalo and he really wants to see one. One night, a herd of the animals stampede down from the sky and a wonderful adventure awaits.

Buffalo Wild!is for ages 4 to 7.

Deidre Havrelock is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta. She was raised in Edmonton.Buffalo Wild!is her first picture book.

Azby Whitecalf is a Plains Cree illustrator and character designer residing in Saskatchewan.

Little Moar and the Moonby Roselynn Akulukjuk, illustrated by Jazmine Gubbe

Little Moar and the Moonis a picture book about fear and facing the unknown. Moar loves the fall season but when the days grow shorter and colder, he becomes a bit more concerned and fearful lookonthe moon's eerie face. Moar wants to get home after school before it gets dark but there are so many fun things to do!

Little Moar and the Moonis for ages 6 to 8.

Roselynn Akulukjuk is an author and filmmaker who was born in Nunavut. Roselynn wrote and directed her first film, the live-action and puppetry shortThe Owl and the Lemming, on which her book by the same title is based.

Jazmine Gubbe is an illustrator from Ontario currently working in the animation industry.

Thunder and the Noise Stormsby Jeffrey Ansloos &Shezza Ansloos, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley

In the picture bookThunder and the Noise Storms, children learn about the restorative powers of the natural world. Thunder often finds that the world around him can be too loud. When his grandfather asks him what he hears while on a nature walk one day, Thunder learns how the many different sounds of the natural world can have calming and empoweringeffects.

Thunder and the Noise Stormsis for ages 4 to 7.

Jeffery Ansloos is a Cree educator and psychologist. He is also the author ofThe Medicine of Peace.

Shezza Ansloos is a Cree writer, educator, artistand speaker. She is the author of two children's books,I Loved HerandThe Fire Walker. Ansloos is also asinger-songwriter and visual artist.

Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley is an Anishinaabe artist and illustrator from Wasauksing First Nation. He is a self-taught artist who works in the Woodland art style of the Anishinaabe people.

Aggie and Mudgyby Wendy Proverbs

Aggie and Mudgyis based on the true story of the author's biological mother and aunt.It traces the long and frightening journey of two Kaska Dena sisters as they are taken from their home to attend residential school. It focuses on the journey to residential school and offers a glimpse into the act of being physically uprooted and transported far away from loved ones.

Aggie and Mudgyis for ages 9 to 12.

Wendy Proverbsis an emerging Indigenous author of Kaska Dena descent. She holds a BA and MA in anthropology from the University of Victoria. As an infant she was caught in the sweeping scoop of Indigenous children taken from their birth families, and was reunited with biological family members as a young adult.