Some children are born into the world and are home as soon as they come Earthside. Others spend their lifetimes searching for a home, a place to belong, a place where they are safe. I am one of those children.
After running away from residential school, Bernard Andreason and his two best friends begin a harrowing 130-kilometre journey from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk, one which only Bernard would survive. In this heartbreaking and beautifully told graphic memoir, Bernard recounts his time in residential school and the tragic journey that took the lives of his two best friends. We then follow Bernard as he returns home, haunted by his past and struggling to find his place. Despite enduring more challenges into adulthood, Bernard never stops pursuing healing and higher learning, and he finds a support network that helps him. His story shows us that the possibility of finding a safe and loving home exists, and it is something every child deserves.
Mangilaluk is an extraordinarily affecting new addition to Qinuisaarniq (resiliency), a collection of books created to educate readers about the history and impacts of residential schools.
Maakusie loves music! But what makes music in the Arctic so special? Join Maakusie as he practises katajjaniq (throat singing) and learns ajaja songs, drumming, and more!
Explore everything from traditional instruments to dances to the origin of the brass bands in the Arctic today. Grab your instruments or sing along. This journey through the history of music in the Arctic is sure to get your toes tapping!
Written by renowned Canadian indie rock duo Jaaji and Chelsey June of Twin Flames, this vibrant and engaging book introduces young readers to the exciting world of traditional and modern music in the North.
Journey to the depths of the Arctic and beyond in this unique collection of stories from the award-winning volumes of Moonshot: The Indigenous Comics Collection.
Burning Cold is a captivating volume of Indigenous graphic stories written by acclaimed authors Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley and Richard Van Camp. Time travel on the back of a wolverine, swim with shapeshifters beneath the ice, and travel through the skies with aliens. From traditional stories to reimagined futures, this collection showcases some of the finest comic book and graphic novel work from the North.Clyde River, Nunavut is a great place to live! In this bilingual picture book, Louise tells us about all the things she and her family like to do. With the annual fishing derby in the spring and Hamlet Day in the summer, there are lots of fun things to do throughout the year. Winter brings plenty of time to connect with people in the community and support each other. Learn about the different activities people do in each season in Clyde River, its landmarks, and the amazing wildlife you can see there, like bowhead whales.
One day, Ullak forgets her grandma's warning about playing on the ice pans and is suddenly kidnapped by a sea monster.
Ullak is brought to Sanna, the ruler of the seas and all the mammals in it, at the bottom of the sea. Together they visit different Arctic sea animals and learn all about them. Ullak is having a lot of fun exploring underwater, but it's getting late. Will she be able to convince Sanna to help her find her way home?
Uncover the incredible life story of Germaine Arnattaujuq, a singularly important Inuit artist, in this high interest/low reading level reference book for developing readers.
Germaine Arnattaujuq is an award-winning Inuit artist. This book tells the story of her life, from growing up at a camp in Nunavut to her education as an artist in Winnipeg and Ottawa and her eventual return to the North. Germaine's incredible drawings, etchings, and illustrations are featured throughout the book, along with archival photographs.
Filled with personal anecdotes and fun facts, this book encourages reluctant readers to discover how Germaine started drawing on gum wrappers as a child and went on to become one of the most well-known artists from the North.
'There's an opening above me, but it's far, and I have to stack up rocks to jump up, and it's almost impossible to get out.' That's when I realized that I was stripped of my identity, and there was nothing of my culture left in me. It was like I wasn't in my body anymore. It was bare and desolate and empty and cold, lifeless in my body. Where was I? Where had I gone?
In this visceral graphic memoir, Monica Ittusardjuat brings readers with her from residential school classrooms to government apologies on her journey to rediscovering what it means to be Inuk. Born prematurely in an iglu on Baffin Island, Monica attended three residential schools over eleven years. She details her resulting struggles with addiction, mental health, and domestic violence, which haunted her into adulthood.
Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, Monica's memoir is a testimony to the lasting impacts of residential schools and one woman's fight to reclaim what she lost.
The Scarf and the Butterfly is a stunning new addition to Qinuisaarniq (resiliency), a collection of books created to educate readers about the history and impacts of residential schools.
Alice loves her community, and she's excited to show others her favourite things to see and do throughout the year. From ice fishing to collecting clams to cheering on hunters in the community, there is always something to enjoy in Sanirajak, Nunavut. Explore Sanirajak with Alice in this bilingual picture book.
Inuit games have been played all over the Arctic for a very long time. They are played for fun, to practise survival skills, and as exercise. Discover everything about Inuit games in Arviat, Nunavut! Practice skipping stones, building iglus, and challenge your friends to a race. Test your skills in the blindfold and jumping games and learn to play Inuit baseball. Written by the late Inuit Elder Donald Uluadluak Sr. and accompanied by the author's original illustrations, this book is a fun introduction to Inuit games.
Long ago there was a great shaman. He wanted to live the life of animals.
How did Inuit come to know so much about Arctic animals? Follow a shaman as he is reborn as a polar bear, a ringed seal, and more to learn about what each animal teaches him. Through simplified text and engaging illustrations, young readers are sure to enjoy this adaptation of a traditional story.
This stunningly illustrated bilingual picture book serves as an early-level introduction to the rich, mysterious world of Inuit mythology. Adapted by author and linguist Jaypeetee Arnakak with the intention of teaching Inuktitut as a second language, The Shaman Who Became Many Animals can be enjoyed by Inuktitut language learners and curious young readers alike.
Discover other traditional stories in our collection! The Story of the Lemming and the Owl, The Story of the Loon and the Raven, and The Story of the Fox and the Wolf are all available.
Lucy loves living in Arctic Bay, Nunavut. There are so many things to do in each season! In the winter during the great darkness, Lucy likes watching the northern lights. She is always excited to welcome the sun back in the spring. In the summer, Lucy can't wait to go blueberry picking, camping, and eat pissi. Follow along with Lucy in this bilingual picture book as she takes readers through the seasons and shares all her favourite things about living in beautiful Arctic Bay.
One rainy day, Solomon is playing inside with his sister. Their mom is cooking polar bear meat in a big pot of water. Suddenly, he trips and burns his arm in the pot of boiling water! The burn is so bad that he must travel to the health centre in the neighbouring community of Pond Inlet, Nunavut. Solomon has to stay in Pond Inlet until his arm heals. Even though Solomon misses his home, he likes playing with the other kids at the health centre. Explore the new and exciting community of Pond Inlet with Solomon in this bilingual picture book.
Let me show you the Road to Nowhere!
This book introduces Iqaluit's famed Road to Nowhere, a scenic road that leads out of the city and into the tundra. Join the narrator and her dog on their walks and observe how activity on the road changes throughout the seasons. Learn about some of her favourite sights and how she has to dress for the cold. Together you'll see the wildlife, flowers, and different weather conditions, from blizzards to bright, sunny days.
Does your name have a story?
Kukik is named after her great grandmother. Naullaq's name honours his uncle. Panigusiq and Tegeapak have stories behind their names, too. Naming is an important practice to Inuit. This book follows four Inuit children as they explain the meanings of their names in simple language for young children to enjoy.
Written by four Inuit children who share their own stories about how they got their names, this bilingual storybook offers a unique look into Inuit traditional naming practices.
Spencer can't wait to go outside and play with his friends. He wants to play basketball and practise for the tryouts at school. But Gary the Snow Goose doesn't want to play basketball with him. Gary wants to play street hockey. The two friends can't come to an agreement. When Spencer sees that there is a reason why Gary doesn't want to play basketball, he remembers what his grandmother taught him about showing respect.
This book incorporates the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) principle of Inuuqatigiitsiarniq: respecting others, relationships, and caring for people. IQ principles are a set of communal rules that focus on the ways one is expected to behave.
Nanuq is so excited when she finds out she is going to be a big sister She thinks about all the fun things she will do with her new sibling. But when her baby brother is born, he cries all the time. Her parents are so busy with the baby, they don't have time for her anymore. Nanuq feels lonely. Is this really what being a big sister is like? See how Nanuq's friends help her understand that there are good things about being a big sister, too.