• Age: 9 to 13
• Grade: 4 to 8
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Profiles of ten outstanding women leaders, including Suzanne Rochon-Burnett, a Métis broadcaster, journalist and First Nations advocate, winner of the Governor General’s Award for her work on Native Women’s rights; Susan Aglukark, Inuit singer and songwriter; and Emily Pauline Johnson—Canada’s first published First Nations poet. All of these trailblazing women are role models who have raised the profile of indigenous culture in North America.

Kelly Fournel is a writer and editor living in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Her father’s family is Manitoba Métis (Cree and French Canadian-their Cree surname is Star) and her great-grandfather was a middleman for the Hudson’s Bay Company. She currently works for the Director of the John M. Cuelenaere Public Library and enjoys life with her husband and their beloved fat cat. Great Women Leaders from our First Nations is her first book.

Kelly Fournel's profile page

Great Women from our First Nations

This book from a Métis author features short, inspiring summaries of the lives of successful and influential modern day Aboriginal women from both Canada and the US. These women are recognized not only for their work to raise the status of Aboriginal women, but also for their contributions to society as a whole. Their message is applicable to any culture or race: determine your own destiny, persevere, and you will be rewarded with success. All of the women featured in this book, whether a poet, dancer, journalist, writer or songwriter, have taken on some form of activism in their determination to pave a new path for Aboriginal women. Their stories demonstrate how to make positive changes in one’s life and the lives of others by setting goals and taking action. Includes b/w photographs of each woman featured.

This book is part of the First Nations Series for Young Readers.

Great Women from Our First Nations (A First Nations Book for Young Readers)

Ten outstanding First Nations women who have raised the profile of indigenous culture in North America are featured in this book. Canadian profiles include singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark, businesswoman Suzanne Rochon-Burnett, poet Pauline Johnson- Tekahionwake, university professor Lorna B. Williams and Senator Sandra Lovelace Nicholas.