June is National Indigenous History Month, a to recognize and celebrate the history, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada. The BWG Library has put together a reading list of books for National Indigenous History Month for kids and teens.
If you need help finding the right book, let the BWG Library know. Message them through Facebook or email [email protected].
Kids
Abalone Women by Teoni Spathelfer
A vivid dream teaches Little Wolf about courage and acceptance of those who are different, and inspires her to show her daughters and their classmates how to be proud of their diverse cultural backgrounds. Throughout her life, Little Wolf has been troubled by the injustice she sees all around her. One night, a vivid dream helps her realize her own strength as a leader and peacemaker in her community.
Rabbit Chase by Elizabeth LaPensee
Anishinaabe culture and storytelling meet Alice in Wonderland in this coming-of-age graphic novel that explores Indigenous and gender issues through a fresh yet familiar looking glass. Aimée, a non-binary Anishinaabe middle-schooler, is on a class trip to offer gifts to Paayehnsag, the water spirits known to protect the land. While stories are told about the water spirits and the threat of the land being taken over for development, Aimée zones out, distracting themselves from the bullying and isolation they've experienced since expressing their non-binary identity.
We Have a Dream by Mya-Rose Craig
Indigenous people and people of colour are disproportionately affected by climate change. And yet they are underrepresented within the environmental movement. But not anymore. Written by the extraordinary environmental and campaigner for equal rights Mya-Rose Craig - aka Birdgirl - this book profiles 30 young environmental activists who are Indigenous people or people of colour, from communities on the frontline of global climate change.
Young Adult
Creeboy by Teresa Wouters
Sixteen-year-old Josh is no stranger to gang life. His dad, the leader of the Warriors, a gang on their reserve, is in jail, and Josh's older brother has taken charge. Josh's mom has made it clear the Warriors and their violence aren't welcome in her home--Josh's dad and brother included. She wants Josh to focus on graduating high school. Josh is unsure whether gang life is for him--that is
until gang violence arrives on his doorstep. Turning to the Warriors, Josh, now known as "Creeboy," starts down the path to becoming a full gang member--cutting himself off from his friends, family and community outside the gang. It's harder than ever for Creeboy to envision a different future for himself. Will anything change his mind?
The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson
Lou has enough confusion in front of her this summer. She'll be working in her family's ice-cream shack with her newly ex-boyfriend--whose kisses never made her feel desire, only discomfort--and her former best friend, King, who is back in their Canadian prairie town after disappearing three years ago without a word. But when she gets a letter from her biological father--a man she hoped would stay behind bars for the rest of his life--Lou immediately knows that she cannot meet him, no matter how much he insists. While King's friendship makes Lou feel safer and warmer than she would have thought possible, when her family's business comes under threat, she soon realizes that she can't ignore her father forever.
