Brave Like the Buffalo is a children’s book with a message that will inspire all readers to face the storms in their life with the help of their support systems and with a brave mindset.

Written by Melissa Allan and illustrated by Jadyn Fischer-McNab, this story uses a powerful animal, the buffalo, as a symbolic message and connection to Indigenous ways of knowing and being that helps to create a wonderful narrative rich with Indigenous ties and a heartwarming message around facing adversity.

Brave Like the Buffalo is intended for audiences aged 0–6, to be used educationally as a way to intertwine Indigenous ways of knowing and being through story.

Melissa Allan is a born and raised Alberta girl. She is a loving wife to her husband, Davis, and mother to her son, Hudson. She has a never-ending zest for creativity and is always eager to learn new things to help her grow. Melissa graduated from business administration in 2013 and has worked as an executive assistant while juggling passion projects and motherhood. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family in Bragg Creek, fishing with her dad, and doing anything crafty. Melissa grew up travelling the world with her family to places such as China, Egypt, and Europe, where she developed her love for all types of foods! As a child who suffered from anxiety, Melissa gravitated towards music and writing as a form of healing. She is passionate about creating tools and resources through her stories for children and families in hopes of helping to create a sense of community that people can relate to. She lives in Calgary, Alberta.

Melissa Allan's profile page

Jadyn Fischer-McNab is a Cree artist who was born and raised in Calgary (Mohkinstsis), Alberta on Treaty 7 territory. Jadyn studied at the University of Calgary where she received bachelor degrees in Kinesiology and Education in 2015 and 2018, respectively. Jadyn has worked as a full time junior high school teacher since she graduated in 2018. Jadyn also owns and operates her small stationery business, artbyJFM. She has products available online as well in a variety of stores across Alberta. Jadyn belongs to George Gordon First Nation and is an intergenerational Residential School survivor. Jadyn is passionate about breaking barriers and educating others by incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing and being into her art, her teaching and her life. Struggling with identity and internalized racism, Jadyn aspires to use creativity and art to inspire all to be unapologetically themselves. She lives in Calgary, Alberta.

Jadyn Fischer-McNab's profile page