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Children's Fiction Native Canadian

Phoenix ani’ Gichichi-i’/Phoenix Gets Greater

by (author) Marty Wilson-Trudeau

illustrated by Megan Kyak-Monteith

with Phoenix Wilson

translated by Kelvin Morrison

Publisher
Second Story Press
Initial publish date
May 2023
Category
Native Canadian, Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance, LGBT
Recommended Age
6 to 8
Recommended Grade
1 to 3
Recommended Reading age
6 to 8
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781772603248
    Publish Date
    May 2023
    List Price
    $21.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781772603255
    Publish Date
    May 2023
    List Price
    $14.99

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Where to buy it

Description

Phoenix loves to play with dolls and marvel at pretty fabrics. Most of all, he loves to dance—ballet, Pow Wow dancing, or just swirling and twirling around his house. Sometimes Phoenix gets picked on and he struggles with feeling different, but his mom and brother are proud of him. With their help, Phoenix learns about Two Spirit/Niizh Manidoowag people in Anishinaabe culture and just how special he is.

Based on the childhood experiences of her son, Phoenix, Marty Wilson-Trudeau demonstrates the difference that a loving and supportive family can make. This dual language edition contains the story in both Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) and English.

About the authors

Marty Wilson-Trudeau is an Anishinaabe Kwe writer originally from M'Chigeeng, ON. She is a drama teacher at St. Charles College in Sudbury, ON. She is a mother to two wonderful sons, Brandan and Phoenix Wilson.

 

Marty Wilson-Trudeau's profile page

Megan Kyak-Monteith is an Inuk illustrator and painter born in Pond Inlet, Nunavut. She is currently living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and studying interdisciplinary arts at NSCAD University with a focus on painting. When she is not working on illustrations, she can be found watching movies with her friends, shopping, or working in her studio on her large-scale oil paintings.

Megan Kyak-Monteith's profile page

Phoenix Wilson is an Anishinaabe actor and dancer and is very proud of who he is. Phoenix started dancing ballet at age three, grass dancing at age five, and acting at age six. He can be seen in such projects as Longmire, Letterkenny, and the critically acclaimed movie Wild Indian. Phoenix is currently in Grade 11 where he excels in all his classes and has ambitions of becoming a corporate lawyer. 

 

Phoenix Wilson's profile page

Kelvin Morrison (Kiitaabines) is from Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation in Northwestern Ontario, Wazhashk (muskrat) clan. He works as an Anishinaabemowin translator at Seven Generations Education Institute, translating books, videos, and short stories, as well as Elders’ stories and resource materials for daycares, schools, and communities. He enjoys creating tools so all can learn, understand, and hear how Anishinaabemowin sounds. He also works in the Knowledge Keepers Program offered by the Fort Frances Rainy River School Board, sharing stories, cultural knowledge, residential school experience, and teachings about the Land.

Kelvin Morrison's profile page

Editorial Reviews

The tone of this story is gentle and loving, perfectly illustrated by the reaction that Phoenix’s brother and mother had when he came out as Two Spirit. They supported him, they told him they loved him and were proud of him. This ensures a gentle introduction to a serious topic. Phoenix Ani’Gichichi-I/ Phoenix Gets Greater is an inspirational and motivational story. It can help those who are coming out to their family and friends and is a helpful tool in navigating this process. This book is an asset to any library.”

Anishinabek News

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