An Introduction...
The purpose and intention of this resource guide are to direct students and their respective teachers toward resources that investigate Indigenous and First Nations storytellers, who are using graphic novels and comic books as their media.
The complexity and sophistication of First Nations history and the modern reality of Aboriginal life in 21st Century North America are worthy of inquiry, worthy of curiosity, worthy of the look beyond our sometimes circumstantially limited scope.
Indigenous stories within comic books, illustrated tales, and graphic novels work with visual iconography, style, art, and the codes and conventions of sequential narrative. They are the stories inspired by the past, the present, a possible future.
Through a sophisticated process of resurgence and re-appropriation, First Nations graphica deals with stereotypes while carving out authentic voices in a traditionally Western (European) medium.
They do this all while allowing for expressing opinion, revealing truths, crafting personal and fictional narratives, and discovering a new means to voice that reaches a mainstream audience while staying true to the narrative.
I started exploring indigenous illustrated stories, comics, and graphic novels as a way to tie in a deep interest of mine with a realm of literature and storytelling that I was seriously lacking.
Having taught Indigenous students and feeling that fear that teachers/librarians can get – Do I have books that can appeal to you? Do I have books I can share to develop empathy toward Native lives, issues, and stories? Why am I missing this?
To address that fear, I started to explore and read and collect illustrated children’s stories, comics, and graphic novels from Indigenous authors and artists on a wide range of subjects.
This while still maintaining the criteria for what makes a good book and still appealing to my love of visual literacy instruction.
The following resources represent the best and brightest of my discoveries.