The Naming of Aki

The Naming of AkiThis retelling of a traditional story celebrates what First Human and First Wolf see, taste, hear, smell, and touch as they wander aki, the earth, to be the namers of things. The story begins: "In the time soon after the creation, Nimaamaa Aki, Mother Earth, was new and without names, so the Creator called upon First Human to walk upon aki, earth, and name all things." First Human sets off on a journey that will take him to every corner of aki and

Highlighted by archival photos and striking artwork

It was one of the most reliable jokes in Charlie Hill's stand-up routine: "My people are from Wisconsin

Gidjie is an Anishinaabe girl who lives near the shore of Lake Superior

With contributions by both professional and everyday writers

and Indigenous approaches to helping people through trauma

the plants and animals and even the creatures we cannot see

Rendon's poem-songs evoke the world still unfolding around us

This book raises awareness of Water Protectors for those who were not at Standing Rock and honoring those who were

Anishinaabemowin is the language of the Odawa

McLeod confronts how both the personal traumas of his youth and the historical traumas of his ancestral line impact the trajectory of his life

Patricia is from Lac Seul First Nation and lives in Winnipeg

Cheryl Isaacs