kekwan etakwak mîkisîhk?/ What’s in a Bead?
There are many stories in a bead. We must listen to the stories they tell us.
Tessa loves how her grandmother always smells of campfire stories. Mom says it’s because Kohkom spends her days sewing beautiful beads onto smoked hides. Inspired, Tessa asks Kohkom to teach her beading, but first she must listen and learn about the many stories held in a bead.
This dual language edition contains the story in both Ininîmowin (Cree, N-dialect) and English.
Praise & Recognition
"A delicate tribute to beading and storytelling, connecting the past, present, and future of Native communities."
Kirkus"If you’d like to get your kids addicted to something healthier, here’s a guide to the latest in children’s lit.... Tessa wants her Kohkom to teach her how to bead but first, Kohkom explains, she has to share stories about her Cree heritage and the way beading is connected to preserving her culture, language and identity."
Globe & Mail“Readers will learn that different First Nations have different beadwork techniques, and that this traditional art is still alive and well today…It’s a very sweet story about children learning from Elders and keeping families together…It is a good way for tactile learners to absorb information.”
Anishinabek NewsDetails
Publication Date: March 12, 2024
Reading Age: 6 - 8
Genre: Picture Book
Product Format: Hardback
Pages: 24
ISBN: 978-1-77260-367-5
Weight: 200
About the Author
Kelsey Borgford
Kelsey Borgford is Nbisiing Nishnaabe, and resides in her traditional territory of Nipissing First Nation. She is from the marten clan, and Couchie family. Kelsey is constantly seeking to become educated, and educate about the culture. In all she does, her own Nokomis-baa is central to her story.
About the Illustrator
Tessa Pizzale
Tessa Pizzale grew up in North Bay, Ontario. Her Cree relatives are from Moose Factory, Fort Albany, and Peawanuck. She is completing her BFA at Nipissing University. Tessa loves Indigenous crafts and is grateful to her late Kookum for teaching her beading and her Nikawiy for teaching her to sew.
About the Translator
Duane Linklater
Duane Linklater is Omaskêko Ininiwak and currently lives in North Bay, Ontario. He earned a Master of Fine Arts from Bard College and a Bachelor of Native Studies with a focus in Cree language from the University of Alberta. Linklater is lifelong learner of the Cree language and credits the many Elders, including his kohkom Agnes Hunter, for teaching and sharing the language.
About the Translator
Angela Shisheesh
Angela Shisheesh is a Cree translator at Ojibway & Cree Cultural Centre based in Timmins, Ontario
More from the author
