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First Nations  Métis  Inuit
 
July 2018   
Mskomini Giizis Raspberry Moon
The eighth moon of Creation is Raspberry Moon, a time when great changes begin. By learning gentleness and kindness, we may pass through the thorns of its bush and harvest its fruit. As we do this we gain knowledge that will help in raising our families.
Acknowledgement

We are building this path upon gifts of wisdom and stories gifted to us by seven generations past of Our ancestors in order to build, feed, and nurture seven generations yet to come. We are honoured and humbled to share a path gifted by authors, poets, and illustrators.
 
New relationships are walking this path, and we are excited to share this opportunity with allies. This path is being built together with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit of Guelph with their ally, Guelph Public Library. Guelph Public Library is grateful to walk this path with their First Nations, Métis, and Inuit allies.
 
These stories hold the gifts of all Our relations, human and non-human.
 
With humility, we are building this path to ensure respect for stories for those seven generations of faces not yet seen.
 
About the First Nations Métis Inuit Newsletter 
 
This NextReads newsletter consists of a selection of the First Nation Communities Read - 2018/2019 Longlist of Nominated Titles. Each First Nations Métis Inuit NextReads newsletter attempts to include a title created by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit creators. Some newsletter issues may not include a creator from each of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities due to the greater number of First Nations authors, poets, graphic novelists, and illustrators represented on the First Nation Communities Read - 2018/2019 Longlist of Nominated Titles. The Guelph community acknowledges and honours the creations of all Indigenous nations equally.
 
In Indigenous ways of living and learning, each story has and gifts its own voice. The shared voices of the storyteller, creator, author, illustrator are unique gifts too. Likewise, if you receive these ‘story gifts’, your voice has its own unique response.
 
Along with a summary, each book listed in NextReads includes an acknowledgement of all the creators. And to show reciprocal respect, the voices and reflections of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit who live in Guelph and area are shared as well.
 
First Nation Communities Read
 
First Nation Communities Read is an annual reading program launched in 2003 by the First Nations public library community in Ontario. First Nation Communities Read selected and other recommended titles:
  • encourage family literacy, intergenerational storytelling, and intergenerational information sharing;
  • are written and/or illustrated by, or otherwise involve the participation of a First Nation, Métis, or Inuit creator;
  • contain First Nation, Métis, or Inuit content produced with the support of First Nation, Métis, or Inuit advisers/consultants or First Nation, Métis, or Inuit endorsement.
More information about First Nation Communities Read.
 
 
 
 
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.

The Creator: 
Cherie Dimaline wins her first Governor General's Literary Award in 2017 with The Marrow Thieves. She is an author and editor from the Georgian Bay Métis community whose award-winning fiction has been published and anthologized internationally. She has published three other fiction works: Red Rooms(2007), The Girl Who Grew a Galaxy (2013) and A Gentle Habit (2016). In 2014, she was named the Emerging Artist of the Year at the Ontario Premier's Award for Excellence in the Arts, and became the first Aboriginal Writer in Residence for the Toronto Public Library. Cherie Dimaline currently lives in Toronto where she coordinates the annual Indigenous Writers' Gathering.
Reflection
This story is cool. I like the sci-fi take but at same time be able to read about our ways of learning and doing. This story should have a sequel. Think it should be made into a movie. I'd like to make it into a movie.
Oshki-ikwe   [Anishnaabe Teenager]
 
 
Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation
by Monique Gray Smith

Healing and repairing that relationship requires education, awareness and increased understanding of the legacy and the impacts still being felt by Survivors and their families. Guided by acclaimed Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith, readers will learn about the lives of Survivors and listen to allies who are putting the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into action.

The Creator: 
Monique Gray Smith is a mixed-heritage woman of Cree, Lakota and Scottish ancestry and a proud mom of twins. Monique is an accomplished consultant, writer and international speaker. Her first novel, Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience, won the 2014 Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature. Monique and her family are blessed to live on Lekwungen territory in Victoria, British Columbia. 
Reflection 
Monique Gray Smith has gifted a widely diverse group of indigenous and non-indigenous people, of all ages, all geographies of Turtle Island with stories about truth, resilience and hope - about opportunities for reconciliation. On the Journey she speaks often directly to 'you' engaging 'you' to act.  This book provides many beautiful opportunities for families, classrooms or community groups to 'read together'. This book is 'a must' for every family, school, and community library.
-Gekinoo'amaaged   [Teacher]
 
 
The Water Walker
by Joanne Robertson

The determined story of an Ojibwe grandmother (nokomis), Josephine Mandamin, and her great love for nibi (water). Nokomis walks to raise awareness of our need to protect nibi for future generations and for all life on the planet. She, along with other women, men and youth, has walked around all the Great Lakes from the four salt waters, or oceans, to Lake Superior. The walks are full of challenges, and by her example she challenges us all to take up our responsibility to protect our water, the giver of life, and to protect our planet for all generations.

The Creator: 
Joanne Robertson is AnishinaabeKwe and a member of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. She received her Fine Arts degree from Algoma University and Shinwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. Joanne is the found of the Empty Glass for Water campaign to bring attention to the drinking water crisis in Indigenous communities across Canada. She produced a film about the water crisis called “Glass Action”. Today she works as a research assistant at the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre and continues to support the water walks through live GPS spotting to make sure the water is safe. Joanne lives near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Reflection 
 
 
Me and Mom are Water Walkers. We sing and drum and talk to the water.
-Mi'kmaq mother and daughter
 
The Indigenous community has acknowledged and honoured the storyteller and story of The Water Walker with the gift of the Children's Category Selected Title for the Indigenous Literature Award.

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