Explore the diverse Indigenous experience across Turtle Island with Dreaming in Indian

The words “original,” “valuable,” “dizzyingly eclectic” and “emotionally potent” have all been used to describe an important anthology focusing on the lives of Indigenous movers and shakers by editors Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale.

Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices is a teaching tool and multimedia essay/story collection geared towards students in grade 6 and up.

The books features first-hand pieces from many successful Indigenous people—including author Joseph Boyden, actress Michelle Thrush, comedian Ryan McMahon, Olympian Waneek Horn-Miller and chef Aaron Bear Robe—who discuss their experiences growing up Indigenous and how they express themselves through things like writing, comedy, art, music and cooking.

As Charleyboy noted in a blog post about the book, she and Leatherdale focused on four themes for the anthology: roots, battles, medicines and dreamcatchers.

“Our goal was to showcase the distinct voices and diverse experiences of Natives across Turtle Island, dispelling the idea that there is one monolithic Native culture,” Charleyboy wrote.

“We were very careful to make sure we represented—as much as possible—the voices of the Tribes and Nations from the Southwest and the Northwest coast, Inuit from the North, Métis and other First Nations across North America,” she added.

Dreaming in Indian would be a excellent addition to any classroom this coming school year. The book is published by Annick Press and is available online and in bookstores across the country.