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Tansi!!! Hello!!
We are Grizzly Den Stories! Rhonda and Erin have teamed up to bring you the first in our collection of indigenous children's stories. The First Salmon Run: the bear cubs' adventure is out this September.
This book is a beautiful expression of our love for our culture. Rhonda and I are both on our own journeys of understanding what it means to be a Metis woman in this world. Both of us were born in BC, away from the Metis culture and have began our journeys of reconnecting as adults.
I've always know that I was Metis. My mom and grandparents come from Meadow Lake, Sk and spoke Michif/Cree (y-dialect). My ancestors were migrants who had been forced out of Red River and lived all across Saskatchewan before settling in the north. But, I never really knew what it meant to be Metis. It wasn't until I was older that I began seeing that I see the world in a different way, an indigenous way.
I've always know that I was Metis. My mom and grandparents come from Meadow Lake, Sk and spoke Michif/Cree (y-dialect). My ancestors were migrants who had been forced out of Red River and lived all across Saskatchewan before settling in the north. But, I never really knew what it meant to be Metis. It wasn't until I was older that I began seeing that I see the world in a different way, an indigenous way.
Rhonda didn't always know that she was Metis, though. That was a journey that she went on as an adult. Her family is from Duck Lake, Sk and Duck Mountain, MB area. Her family spoke Cree (n-dialect). This is a way for her to explore her own heritage and culture in a way that helps pass it on to the next generation. She was able to connect with an elder who helped guide her through this journey to make sure that it was as accurate as possible.
I bring my own unique viewpoint to the book. As the illustrator, I had the huge task of taking the heartfelt story and making sure that the images supported and elevated those words. I took inspiration from the Skeena area for the plants, mountains and rivers where this story takes place.
This book has helped me to learn more about our culture as well. Even though my grandparents spoke Michif/Cree (y-dialect) and this book features Cree (n-dialect) there are still a lot of similarities between our languages. For instance, maskwa (bear) is the same in both languages, as is makesis (fox), anikwacas (squirrel), sisip (duck), kihew (eagle) and amisk (beaver).
In the Cree culture eagles mean love, which we reflect in the book. But it's not just Cree, across Turtle Island you can hear stories about how eagles mean love and the connection to Creator. So, this book doesn't just reflect one point of view. It honours the indigenous spirit of this land and teaches it in a way that keeps kids engaged and learning.
We are so excited for you to read this book. We cannot wait to get it into your hands!
Maarsii!!!
Thank you!
- Erin
Photo credit to Birgit Allgaier