A graphic novel series by and for Indigenous youth

Photo of the Feathers of Hope graphic novels. The image shows a top-view of the three books, displayed in a row and sitting against a bright red background.

Feathers of Hope wanted to forge a sense of belonging for Indigenous youth. We supported a large group of youth in conceiving, writing, and illustrating three graphic novels that told stories about culture, identity, and Indigenous history.

Photo of a spread of the graphic novel Blueberries: Healing the Circle. It is a series of black and white panels from pages 14-15.

Photo of a spread of the graphic novel Way of the Gentle Heart. It is a series of black and white panels from pages 18-19. On the left page we see a scene set in an office. The main character of the story, a young Indigenous person named Hunter, sits with their back against a large bookcase full of books. Hunter is holding a notepad against their chest, and looks sad and concerned as they speak to a school counsellor, who is sitting next to them. Flowers and leaves are coming out of Hunter’s chair, enveloping them in a gentle and loving way. In the dialogue, the counsellor is inviting Hunter to come to a ceremony, but Hunter is hesitant because that would mean they would have to wear a skirt. However, the counsellor assures Hunter they are welcome, and that the Elder leading the ceremony has good teachings for them.

Photo of a spread of the graphic novel Manidoo Makwa. It is a series of black and white panels from pages 24-25.

Click/tap images to enlarge

PARTNERS

Offerings

LOCATION

BACKGROUND

In the summer of 2016, more than 100 Indigenous youth took part in the Feathers of Hope Culture, Identity, and Belonging forum in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The forum took place one year after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission concluded that Canada had intentionally and systematically conducted a campaign of cultural genocide against Indigenous people.

Because of this history, many of the forum participants grew up without access to their traditional languages and customs. The forum was an opportunity for young people to connect in their shared experiences, learn about ceremonies and teachings, and speak to the change they wanted to see in the world.

The Co-Design Process

(Left): Photo of a group of advisors working on the floor. They are kneeling over a large printout of the storyline chart. At the left of the image is a young person reaching over the chart to place a post-it on it. In the background, another young person points to the chart, filled with handwritten notes in other post-its. (Right): Photo of close up of the chart with post-it notes. The arm of a young person can be seen in the background, writing on a worksheet page.

Photo of an Indigenous Elder surrounded by an adult person and four young people, who all listen attentively and with joyful expressions as the Elder speaks. At their feet stands a large sheet of paper placed on the floor, over which is visible a storyline chart with some posts-its on it.

Click/tap images to enlarge

After the forum, Feathers of Hope gathered an advisory group of a dozen youth participants. They decided that the most impactful way to present what they heard and learned at the forum was to create a graphic novel series. They wanted the books to help connect other Indigenous youth to their culture, identity, and a sense of belonging.

Over the course of several meetings, advisors crafted characters and storylines based on the themes they heard at the forum. And Also Too’s facilitation methods drew on theatre, oral storytelling, and creative writing.

(Left): Photo of two young artists working on graphic novel storyboards taped to a wall. Both artists are wearing black and face away from the camera, attentively staring at the storyboards. (Right): Close-up photo of a graphic novel storyboard. Visible on the image are several hand-drawn frames, with various characters and settings inside of them. Some of the frames are crossed with a red ‘x,’ to indicate they are to be discarded. Some have post-its with comments on them.

Click/tap images to enlarge

A pivotal moment in the co-design process was a story retreat we hosted in Toronto. And Also Too gathered with Feathers of Hope staff, writer Elton Beardy, and illustrator Kaia’tanó:ron Dumoulin Bush to create storyboards for each graphic novel. At this moment, the stories — which had previously just been ideas on sticky notes — suddenly came to life.

The Outcome

The youth advisors then reviewed the finished storyboards. The feedback they provided, which was both candid and thorough, vastly improved both the artwork and the story.

Photo of two young advisors standing in front of a window, to which are taped several graphic novel storyboards. The advisors are giving feedback by placing post-its on individual panels.

Click/tap images to enlarge

The Feathers of Hope graphic novels demonstrate how culture, identity and belonging help Indigenous young people know who they are. They speak of the strength of their nations, communities, and families, despite the impact of ongoing policies that continue to perpetuate harm against Indigenous people, lands, and cultural practices.

DOWNLOAD THE GRAPHIC NOVELS

Photo shows the front cover of the graphic novel Blueberries: Healing the Circle. It is a black cover with a glowing, red illustration in the center. The illustration shows a blueberry branch, forming a circle as it closes in on the book’s title: Blueberries: Healing the Circle. Inside the branch, partially hidden between the berries and leaves, stands a mysterious, long-haired figure with their chest bare.

Click/tap images to enlarge

Blueberries: Healing the Circle

In Blueberries: Healing the Circle, an Elder shares with his grandchildren his journey of healing from the trauma inflicted by Canada’s residential school system.

READ/DOWNLOAD HERE

Photo shows the front cover of the graphic novel Manidoo Makwa: Spirit Bear. It is a black cover with a glowing, red illustration in the center. The illustration shows an undulating path moving upwards. On the path we can distinguish a bear standing behind the silhouette of a young person holding a drum. They seem to be flowing along with the path, as if they were one with it.

Click/tap images to enlarge

Manidoo Makwa

In Manidoo Makwa, a young woman discovers her purpose as a defender of her community’s traditional land through cultural teachings.

READ/DOWNLOAD HERE

Photo shows the front cover of the graphic novel Way of the Gentle Heart. It is a black cover with a glowing, red illustration in the center. At the center of the illustration stands a fire, from which a series of leaves and flowers are blossoming.

Click/tap images to enlarge

Way of the Gentle Heart

In Way of the Gentle Heart, a young writer who is bullied for not conforming to binary gender norms learns about Two-Spirit identities and gains a circle of support.

READ/DOWNLOAD HERE