The month of June is National Indigenous History Month!
On this day (June 21) and throughout the month, it is a time to celebrate the heritage and many contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people across Turtle Island.
For all those who enjoy reading, supporting Indigenous authors is one way to show your support today, this month, and every other day of the year. I’ve compiled a list of 10 books by Indigenous authors across a variety of genres that are must-reads for anyone. Please consider these books and others by Indigenous authors the next time you’re at your local bookstore or perusing books to purchase online.
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
With winter moving in, a small northern Anishinaabe community goes dark. The food supplies begin to dwindle as the community is cut off, and panic builds swiftly as the band council struggles. to maintain order. And when mysterious visitors from the deteriorating society to the south begin to exploit the tired and hungry community residents in order to take over the reserve. As the death toll and tensions rise, a group of friends decide to take matters into their own hands, turning to their Anishinaabe traditions and the land to help their community flourish once more.
A dystopian thriller, Waubgeshig Rice’s Moon of the Crusted Snow is a must-read for anyone who wants to read a great allegorical and post-apocalyptic tale.
A Shadow Crown by Melissa Blair
The king’s Blade is back. Being the king’s most-feared and trusted assassin, Keera knows that she’s in the optimal position to continue her political scheming and work alongside Prince Killian and his Shadow, Riven. As they continue to plot the evil king’s downfall, more secrets must be kept and at what cost? Keera has already suffered imaginable losses, and she does not want to have to deal with something like that ever again. But will all this scheming cost more than she bargained for? Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.
The follow-up to the highly successful A Broken Blade, Melissa Blair’s A Shadow Crown, gives readers another fantastical journey in the Halfling Saga.
Sweetest Kulu by Celina Kalluk
A bedtime poem that features the various gifts bestowed upon a newborn baby by the animals of the Arctic, Sweetest Kulu is an endearing and lyrical story that’s imbued with the Inuit values of love and appreciation for the land and its many animals.
Although Celina Kalluk’s Sweetest Kulu is geared toward children, it is a heartwarming story for readers of all ages, accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Alexandra Neonakis.
Return of the Trickster by Eden Robinson
The people closest to Jared think he might have had a difficult time with his sobriety the past year, and this might be the reason why he was found naked by my movers in the basement of his mom’s old home. However, things are much worse than that. Now Jared knows for sure that he is one of Wee’git, a Trickster, and he’s won (depending on how one looks at it) the magical lottery. But being who he is only means danger for those he cares about most.
In the final chapter of The Trickster trilogy, Eden Robinson outdoes herself with Return of the Trickster.
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
It’s a dystopian world, one ravaged by the effects of climate change. Most people have lost their ability to dream, and this has led to people falling victim to madness. Those who are still able to dream are North America’s Indigenous population, and their marrow contains the cure that the rest of the world seeks, but it comes at the cost of the life of the unwilling donors. On the run to survive the “recruiters” who want to capture them and bring them to marrow-stealing facilities, a group of young companions must fight to stay alive as they try to reunite with their loved ones.
Cherie Dimaline’s The Marrow Thieves is a gripping story that carries powerful commentary about the killing, oppression, and the theft of culture of Indigenous people.
Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq
Weaving effortlessly between fiction and memoir, the story follows a young girl growing up in Nunavut in the 1970s. In her life, she has experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, joy and pain roiling (sometimes together). When she becomes pregnant, this is another thing she needs to navigate.
Tanya Tagaq’s Split Tooth has a heroine you won’t easily forget and explores a world where lines are blurred as far as fact and myth, good and evil, but if all else fails – love still prevails. It should be required reading for everyone.
Heart Berry Bling by Jenny Kay Dupuis
Maggie is always excited to visit her grandmother, and she’s especially joyful to begin her first beading project: creating a pair of strawberry earrings. As the pair work on their beading, Granny shares with Maggie how the art of beading helped her remain connected to her Anishinaabe heritage after she lost her Indian status and was kicked out of her community for marrying someone without status, despite this being something men of the community were allowed to do.
Jenny Kay Dupuis’ Heart Berry Bling is an informative story which will teach everyone (not just children) about the Anishinaabe art of beadwork, strawberry teachings and gender discrimination in the Indian Act. With great artwork by Eva Campbell, the book is a must-read for all.
Call Me Indian by Fred Sasakamoose
Fred Sasakamoose was ripped from his home at the age of seven and forced into a residential school. After enduring countless horrors, Sasakamoose became the first Indigenous player with Treaty status to play in the NHL. He made his debut in 1954 as a member of the Chicago Black Hawks and played against the likes of Jean Beliveau, Maurice “The Rocket” Richard and Gordie Howe. After 12 games. in the league, Sasakamoose returned home, but his journey did not stop there. He continued to play hockey for another decade in leagues around Western Canada, became a band councillor, served as chief and created athletic programs for children.
Call Me Indian by Fred Sasakamoose is a poignant memoir that is not just a sports story. It is about the life of a true survivor that holds a magnifying glass up to Canada’s atrocious history and oppression of Indigenous people, but above all else, it’s Sasakamoose’s journey to reclaim the heritage that had been stolen from him.
Phyllis’s Orange Shirt by Phyllis Webstad
At the age of six, Phyllis was forced to a residential school for the first time. On the first day, she wore an orange shirt that her granny had bought for her. However, upon her arrival at the school, the shirt was taken from her, and she never got it back.
Based on Phyllis Webstad’s real life and featuring art by Brock Nicol, Phyllis’s Orange Shirt is the story of how Orange Shirt Day and is an important day of remembrance for Indigenous people and settlers.
To Shape a Dragon’s Breath: The First Book of Nampeshiweisit by Moniquill Blackgoose
There hasn’t been a dragon sighting in Masquapaug for generations. That is until 15-year-old Anequs finds a dragon egg and bonds with the hatchling. While the people of her community are elated, the Anglish colonizers on their land have differing opinions. Anequs must attend an Anglish dragon school on the mainland. If she is not successful at the school, her dragon will be killed.
With wonderful world-building and captivating characters, To Shape a Dragon’s Breath: The First Book of Nampeshiweisit is a thrilling must-read.
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