This lyrical and joyful picture book celebrates new experiences and community traditions when a young boy learns to dance at his first powwow. It’s Powwow Time! is for readers of Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Jingle Dancer and Oge Mora’s Thank You, Omu!

Bineshii is looking forward to his first powwow. He wakes up and travels with his mother to the community event. He eats bannock and drinks strawberry juice as he watches the dancers perform. And ever so slowly, Bineshii works his way from the edge of the circle watching the dancers to inside the circle itself, dancing and celebrating with everyone else.

Award-winning journalist Martha Troian’s child-centered text and Hawlii Pichette’s action-packed illustrations build excitement on the page as Bineshii’s curiosity and confidence grows. It’s Powwow Time! explores the rewards of being open to new experiences while also serving as a beautiful and informative introduction to a First Nations powwow.

Martha Troian is an award-winning independent journalist and writer. Specializing in investigative journalism, she has worked for and contributed to media outlets across Canada for close to twenty years. She is a proud member of Lac Seul First Nation and lives in Manitoba, Canada.

Martha Troian's profile page

HAWLII PICHETTE, une artiste et une illustratrice urbaine de la communauté Mushkego Cree (Traité n° 9), vient d’une famille multiethnique. Née et élevée dans la petite communauté de Cochrane, en Ontario, elle est profondément influencée par sa culture, son éducation et le monde naturel. Elle vit à London, en Ontario.

HAWLII PICHETTE is a Mushkego Cree (Treaty 9) urban mixed-blood artist and illustrator. Born and raised in the small community of Cochrane, Ontario, she is deeply influenced by her culture, her upbringing and the natural world. She lives in London, Ontario.

Hawlii Pichette's profile page

“An outwardly simple tale that really captures how children interact with the world. . . . Glorious illustrations and the constant refrain of chants and noises draw readers into Bineshii’s powwow through sound, sight, and movement.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“Morning greets Bineshii as he rises, excited to dance at his first powwow. . . .Skillfully incorporating onomatopoeia, Troian (Lac Seul First Nation) brings to life the graceful movement and energy of a dancer. . . .Pichette’s (Mushkego Cree) rich illustrations are vibrant and dynamic with a unique shading technique that conveys action and elicits joy. Readers unfamiliar with powwows will find this a dynamic window into the experience; they’ll share Bineshii’s pleasure as the book draws to a close.” — Kirkus Reviews

““It’s Powwow Time!” is a delightful picture book about a young boy, Bineshii, who accompanies his mother to his first powwow—a cultural gathering—where he experiences dancing, singing, drumming and other things. Complementing Martha Troian’s story about the joyful community event are exceptional, colourful illustrations by Hawlii Pichette. This book is Troian’s debut picture book and was inspired by her son’s powwow experience.” — Metroland Media