Intermediate Senior First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline Humanity has nearly destroyed its world through global warming, but now an even greater evil lurks. The indigenous people of North America are being hunted and harvested for their bone marrow, which carries the key to recovering something the rest of the population has lost: the ability to dream. In this dark world, Frenchie and his companions struggle to survive as they make their way up north to the old lands. For now, survival means staying hidden--but what they don't know is that one of them holds the secret to defeating the marrow thieves.

#Notyourprincess by Lisa Charleyboy (Editor); Mary Beth Leatherdale (Editor) Whether looking back to a troubled past or welcoming a hopeful future, the powerful voices of Indigenous women across North America resound in this book. In the same style as the best-selling Dreaming in Indian, #Not Your Princess presents an eclectic collection of poems, essays, interviews, and art that combine to express the experience of being a Native woman. Stories of abuse, humiliation, and stereotyping are countered by the voices of passionate women making themselves heard and demanding change. Sometimes angry, often reflective, but always strong, the women in this book will give teen readers insight into the lives of women who, for so long, have been virtually invisible.  

Strangers by David Alexander Robertson When Cole Harper returns to Wounded Sky First Nation, he finds his community in chaos: a series of murders, a mysterious illness ravaging the population and reemerging questions about Cole's role in the tragedy that drove him away ten years ago. With the aid of an unhelpful spirit, a disfigured ghost and his two oldest friends, Cole tries to figure out his purpose and unravel the mysteries he left behind a decade ago. Will he find the answers in time to save his community?

Shadows Cast by Stars by Catherine Knutsson Old ways are pitted against new horrors in this compellingly crafted, "atmospherically beautiful" (Kirkus Reviews) dystopian tale about a girl who is both healer and seer. Two hundred years from now, blood has become the most valuable commodity on the planet--especially the blood of aboriginal peoples, for it contains antibodies that protect them from the Plague ravaging the rest of the world. Sixteen-year-old Cassandra Mercredi might be immune to the Plague, but that doesn't mean she's safe--government forces are searching for those of aboriginal heritage to harvest their blood. When a search threatens Cassandra and her family, they flee to the Island: a mysterious and idyllic territory protected by the Band, a group of guerilla warriors--and by an enigmatic energy barrier that keeps outsiders out and the spirit world in. And though the village healer has taken her under her wing, and the tribal leader's son into his heart, the creatures of the spirit world are angry, and they have chosen Cassandra to be their voice and instrument... Incorporating the traditions of the First Peoples as well as the more familiar stories of Greek mythology and Arthurian legend, Shadows Cast by Stars is a haunting, beautifully written story that breathes new life into ancient customs.

If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric L. Gansworth A debut novel that "fearlessly lays down the truth"* about friendship, poverty, and the joys of rock 'n' roll. Lewis "Shoe" Blake is used to the joys and difficulties of life on the Tuscarora Indian reservation in 1975: the joking, the Fireball games, the snow blowing through his roof. What he's not used to is white people being nice to him - people like George Haddonfield, whose family recently moved to town with the Air Force. As the boys connect through their mutual passion for music, especially the Beatles, Lewis has to lie more and more to hide the reality of his family's poverty from George. He also has to deal with the vicious Evan Reininger, who makes Lewis the special target of his wrath. But when everyone else is on Evan's side, how can he be defeated? And if George finds out the truth about Lewis's home - will he still be his friend?

7 Generations by David Robertson; Scott B. Henderson (Illustrator) 7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga originally published as a four-part graphic novel series; Stone, Scars, Ends/Begins, and The Pact. This graphic novel follows one Plains Cree family from the early 19th century to present day. For Edwin, the story of his ancestors from both the distant and recent past must guide him through an uncertain present, to the dawn of a new future. 7 Generations explores the life of Stone, a young Cree warrior, the smallpox epidemic of 1870, the residential school system of the 20th century and its familial legacy.

Fight for Justice by Lori Saigeon A visit to his beloved grandfather helps give Justice some ideas about bullying and how he might deal with it.When Trey bullies him and also attacks Charity, Justice can't understand why. He's afraid to tell anyone-his mother, his teacher, or the school principal-for fear of making things worse.Then on a family visit to their home reserve, Justice helps his mushum (grandfather) fix his snowmobile and finds the courage to talk about Trey. Through Mushum' stories and actions, he begins to understand why people bully and some possible ways to deal with them. There' no one simple, sure-fire solution in this honest and compassionate story, but Justice no longer feels quite so alone at school or on the street.

À la recherche du bout du monde by Michel Noël. "Wapush est un jeune Amérindien marqué par le sort : il a beau être orphelin, infirme et né en période de disette, cela ne l’empêchera pas d’avoir un destin fabuleux et de mener une quête identitaire extraordinaire sur fond de paysage glacé. Les valeurs traditionnelles des peuples fondateurs sont abordées avec grand respect dans ce roman." publisher's website.

Keeper'n Me by Richard Wagamese When Garnet Raven was three years old, he was taken from his home on an Ojibway Indian reserve and placed in a series of foster homes. Having reached his mid-teens, he escapes at the first available opportunity, only to find himself cast adrift on the streets of the big city. Having skirted the urban underbelly once too often by age 20, he finds himself thrown in jail. While there, he gets a surprise letter from his long-forgotten native family. The sudden communication from his past spurs him to return to the reserve following his release from jail. Deciding to stay awhile, his life is changed completely as he comes to discover his sense of place, and of self. While on the reserve, Garnet is initiated into the ways of the Ojibway -- both ancient and modern -- by Keeper, a friend of his grandfather, and last fount of history about his people's ways. By turns funny, poignant and mystical, Keeper'n Me reflects a positive view of Native life and philosophy -- as well as casting fresh light on the redemptive power of one's community and traditions.

Slash by Jeannette Armstrong Slash is a deeply felt novel about racism and the plight of aboriginal peoples, both in Canada and the rest of the world. -- Globe & Mail

Louis Riel by Chester Brown A limited-edition reprint of Brown's celebrated biography of the Canadian rebel Louis Rieltells the story of the charismatic, and perhaps mad, nineteenth-century Metis leader whose struggle to win rights for his people led to violent rebellion on the nations western frontier. When the collected book appeared in 2003, Brown won widespread critical and industry acclaim forLouis Riel, including two Harvey Awards and inclusion on countless best-of lists. Beyond that, it single-handedly revitalized the biography genre of comics, paving the way for a new generation of artists. This special tenth anniversary edition features rare supplementary material, including early cover art from the original serialization, pencil studies and draft scripts, poster and catalogue art, and a new essay by critic Sean Rogers.

On Thin Ice by Jamie Bastedo Ashley Anowiak is in search of a murderous polar bear that may be real or mythical. The only thing for certain is that what she discovers will change her life - and her community's - forever. In spite of its name, no one in the tiny troubled hamlet of Nanurtalik "the place with polar bears" can remember seeing a polar bear in decades. But when a teenager's dismembered body is discovered on a nearby ice road, everyone fears polar bears have returned. The community is thrown into chaos as another suspected bear attack sparks a flury of bullets that whiz through the town during a blinding four-day blizzard. Was it a real or phantom bear?

Green grass, running water by Thomas King. An engaging creation story played out from a Blackfoot reservation to Hollywood while the mythical trickster, Coyote, playfully manipulates events.

Sundogs by Lee Maracle Marianne finds a moment of peace from the confusion and disunity of her own life.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie; Ellen Forney (Illustrator) Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live. With a forward by Markus Zusak, interviews with Sherman Alexie and Ellen Forney, and four-color interior art throughout, this edition is perfect for fans and collectors alike.

Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story by David A. Robertson; Scott B. Henderson (Illustrator) BASED ON A TRUE STORY* A school assignment to interview a residential school survivor leads Daniel to Betsy, his friend's grandmother, who tells him her story. Abandoned as a young child, Betsy was soon adopted into a loving family. A few short years later, at the age of 8, everything changed. Betsy was taken away to a residential school. There she was forced to endure abuse and indignity, but Betsy recalled the words her father spoke to her at Sugar Falls -- words that gave her the resilience, strength, and determination to survive. Sugar Falls is based on the true story of Betty Ross, Elder from Cross Lake First Nation. We wish to acknowledge, with the utmost gratitude, Betty's generosity in sharing her story. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Sugar Falls goes to support the bursary program for The Helen Betty Osborne Memorial Foundation.

Teacher Guide for Sugar Falls: Learning about the History and Legacy of Residential Schools by Christine M'lot Written by Anishinaabe educator Christine M'lot, the Teacher Guide for Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story offers a diverse menu of activities that support teachers in planning lessons throughout the reading process, creating a dynamic learning experience for their students, while maintaining a respectful and dignified approach to Indigenous topics. Trauma-informed practices help prepare students for sensitive topics.