Welcome to Top Grade: CanLit for the Classroom, a blog and preview video series that features new releases from Canadian book publishers ideal for use in K-12 classrooms and school library collections. Throughout the year, we dive into new titles, highlighting relevant curriculum links and themes.

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Written by educator Spencer Miller

My first year of teaching was during the 2020-2021 school year. It was completely overwhelming. I learned to rely on books and stories to carry my students and me through difficult circumstances and onto meaningful learning.

One of the stories that meant the most to us was Tasha Spillett and Natasha Donovan’s Surviving the City graphic novel series. We read the first two volumes together in class and my students connected with the characters of Dez and Miikwan. The series sparked deep and meaningful conversations about Truth and Reconciliation. For the rest of the year, students would ask me when Volume 3 was coming.

I’m happy to say that Volume 3 is here. I was moved when I opened We Are the Medicine and saw the story was set during the 2020-2021 school year. It captures so many of the hard feelings and experiences my students and I had. I was grateful when Tasha Spillett agreed to talk with me to share more about her groundbreaking series and the role of stories in the work of Truth and Reconciliation.  

We Are The Medicine is set against the COVID-19 pandemic and the recovery of the remains of 215 Indigenous children at Kamloops Residential School. Why did you decide to include these real-life events in the story?

As somebody who had a child during the pandemic, that period has etched itself in how I am in the world, how I write, and how I understand community.

Young people will forever be marked by this experience. They had to figure out how to be, how to do life with all these new restrictions, with changing guidelines. And with adults that, you know, we did our best, but we were all learning.

I wanted to honour young people who went through that time, who did their best, who rolled with the waves as they came. We tend to brush past or move past things that are hard for us—leave it in the past. But the truth is, living through that time changed us. And so I thought, in this small way, through this graphic novel volume, that I could honour that time and capture the memory of what it was like for young people.

In the book, characters attending a protest call for “truth before reconciliation.” What does this phrase mean to you?

It’s my fear, like with the pandemic, that we move too quickly past the hard stuff. We do a disservice to the coming generations if we don't do the hard work of sifting through the truth. Looking at each piece of it. If we don't do that work, then our descendants will have to. We have an opportunity—and really a responsibility—to do the heavy work now. The coming generations will have their own work to do.

As an author, how would you describe the role of stories in the work of Truth and Reconciliation?

Storytelling is such a powerful tool to shift consciousness—especially stories that are written for children and youth. Stories in the unison of text and images are powerful ways to invite children into different learning and feelings. I feel a great sense of responsibility when people extend trust to bring my stories into their homes and their classrooms.

Children and young people are not so burdened with the hang-ups of oppression. If we can have open conversations, we can teach them to move towards equity, to have empathy, to have respect, and to affirm the dignity of others. If we can do that before all the ugliness of the world gets to them, we are steps ahead.

What does the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation mean to you?

My thoughts on reconciliation have changed over the years. In my early twenties, I had the opportunity to do a national interview with Peter Mansbridge. It was one of his last interviews in the days before he retired. He asked me if I thought reconciliation was possible. At that time, I said no. Reconciliation, and how it was being packaged, felt quite performative.

This was before I had a child. My thoughts have shifted. I still believe that performative reconciliation will not result in the liberation of Indigenous Peoples. But now, as a parent and working with young people—you almost have to find something in yourself that believes in a better future. Because these young people are in it.

How can teachers recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in their classrooms?

I hope teachers look at the work that's set forward by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and look at the 94 Calls to Action and find at least one thing they can commit to—actioning within themselves, within their families, within their workplaces. Do that one thing consistently. Then encourage the young people in your sphere to do the same.

As adults, we have to model it. We have to model how to take accountability. We have to model finding your action and doing it consistently. Show young people we're all on a learning journey. We’re all at different spots and we all have a responsibility to learn and contribute to this work.

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I echo Tasha Spillett’s call to honour our young people and their experiences. Be honest with them about the hard stuff and show them, through actions, how to become engaged in this work.

To support and continue conversations about Truth and Reconciliation in your classroom throughout this school year, here is a list of new Indigenous authored books.

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Picture Books

Today Is Orange Shirt Day (ages 0-3) is a touch-and-feel board book designed for the littlest readers. It explains the significance of Orange Shirt Day in age-appropriate terms.

This Land Is a Lullaby / cistomâwasowin ôma askiy (ages 3-5) is a gentle lullaby that soothes children to sleep and reminds them of their deeply rooted connections to the land. Featuring striking pointillism artwork.

Bannock in a Hammock (ages 3-5) explores a favourite Inuit food. Recommended for reading aloud with its rhythmic text and delicious illustrations. 

Boozhoo! / Hello! (ages 3-6) introduces little readers to woodland and water animals with both their Anishinaabemowin and English names. Accompanied by vibrant and colorful Woodland style illustrations.

The Hawk Shadow (ages 4-7) showcases storytelling traditions in a compelling story of two siblings who run into trouble while out fishing.

Dad, I Miss You (ages 6-8) takes a thoughtful and heartfelt look at the emotional toll of a child being taken from their family to attend residential school. Told in alternating perspectives of a boy and his father.

The Sharing Circle (ages 6-8) introduces the practice of a sharing circle as two red foxes and their friends sort through an argument under the guidance of a community Elder.

For Early Readers

Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher and Âhâsiw’s Forest Powwow (ages 6-9) is the first book in a new early chapter book series celebrating Cree culture. Sarah learns the importance of being true to herself after moving to the city from her home community.

Ullak and the Creatures of the Sea (ages 8-10) is an imaginative illustrated chapter book that blends magic and adventure with Arctic life and landscapes. 

Little by Little (ages 9-12) is an inspiring graphic novel about finding your voice…and using it! Based on the real-life childhood experiences of community activist Michael Redhead Champagne.

For Middle Readers

Frozen River (nîkwatin sîpiy) (ages 8-10) is a play about two 11-year-olds that stretches across generations and teaches the importance of respect and keeping promises.

Lost at Windy River (9-12) is a graphic novel with a true story about a thirteen-year-old Indigenous girl named Ilse who got lost in a snowstorm for nine days in 1944. Canadian author Farley Mowat heard Ilse’s story and wrote about it in his book People of the Deer. But it wasn’t his story to tell. Lost at Windy River, written by Isle’s grandaughter, is taking her story back. 

The Kodiaks (ages 9-12) is an action-packed sports story about a young hockey star from Norway House Cree Nation who moves to the city and joins a new team. Addresses racism and bullying in hockey culture.

For Young Adult Readers

Between the Pipes (ages 12-18) is a graphic novel that addresses homophobia and toxic masculinity in hockey through the experiences of an Indigenous teen. With the help of an Elder and a Two-Spirit mentor, thirteen-year-old Chase finds the strength to be proud of who he is.

Little Moons (ages 12-18) depicts a thirteen-year-old Ojibwe teen moving through grief and searching for closure a year after the disappearance of her older sister. This moving graphic novel addresses the reality of what happens after Indigenous, women, girls, and Two-Spirit people go missing.

We Are the Medicine (ages 12-18) is the moving final volume in the groundbreaking Surviving the City graphic novel series. Now in their final year of high school, the lives of Miikwan, Dez and their friends are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and breaking news of the remains of 215 children found at a former residential school in British Columbia.

The Rez Doctor (ages 12-18) is a graphic novel that examines the barriers to health care and education faced by many Indigenous communities. It follows the real-life story Ryan Fox who pursues a career in medicine after being inspired by a Blackfoot doctor during a school assembly.

God Flare (ages 12-18) continues Cole and Eva’s story as they prepare for a final confrontation with the terrors of Mihko Laboratories. The Reckoner Rises graphic novel series is celebrated for bringing a fresh perspective to the superhero genre, weaving in Cree culture and conversations about mental health.

>> View and download this book list

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Spencer Miller is a teacher, writer, reader, and fan of the Toronto Raptors. He is currently pursuing graduate studies at the University of Calgary (Treaty 7). You can follow more of Spencer’s passion for books on Instagram @SpencerBMiller.