A young Nisg̱a’a boy, Simg̱an learns to cook hamburger soup and fry bread with Grandmother on a crisp fall day. As they gather ingredients, chop vegetables and stir the pot, Grandmother remembers coastal fishing trips and community with friends—blending Nisg̲a’a vocabulary into her stories of food, family and tradition to create cultural memory and document everyday life. Indigenous people have many differences from Nation to Nation, yet the hamburger soup recipes in these households are often very similar. This story celebrates shared traditions, the wisdom of Elders and the importance of giving back to the community. Illustrated by Kelsey Fitzgerald.
Free lesson plans are available in the Educators tab.
Free lesson plans are available in the Educators tab.
Celebrating Potlatches - Strong Nations Publishing, 2025
“Papa, what is a Potlatch?”
Inspired by Ts’msyen Samantha's great-grandfather's historic notebooks on Potlatches in the Gitxsan village of Gitsegukla, Celebrating Potlatches pairs intergenerational storytelling with beautiful illustrations to honour Indigenous traditions. From the award-winning author of Oolichan Moon and the accomplished illustrator of Be a Good Ancestor, this book recounts the 1885 Potlatch ban and the resilience of the communities who fought to keep their traditions alive. Illustrated by Carla Joseph.
Free lesson plans are available in the Educators tab.
Inspired by Ts’msyen Samantha's great-grandfather's historic notebooks on Potlatches in the Gitxsan village of Gitsegukla, Celebrating Potlatches pairs intergenerational storytelling with beautiful illustrations to honour Indigenous traditions. From the award-winning author of Oolichan Moon and the accomplished illustrator of Be a Good Ancestor, this book recounts the 1885 Potlatch ban and the resilience of the communities who fought to keep their traditions alive. Illustrated by Carla Joseph.
Free lesson plans are available in the Educators tab.
Oolichan Moon - Harbour Publishing, 2022
Oolichan Moon is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that celebrates the sacred oolichan fish and the passing down of traditional knowledge from Nisg̲a’a Elders. Written by Samantha Beynon and illustrated by Lucy Trimble, it follows two Nisg̲a’a sisters as they receive ancestral teachings through vibrant illustrations and playful text. The book also shares cultural and historical information about the oolichan and includes related Nisg̲a’avocabulary. Illustrated by Lucy Trimble. Free lesson plans are available in the Educators tab.
Upcoming Books
- Friendships to Flavours (Strong Nations, 2026)
- Growing with My Rights: Mouse Woman’s Guide to Responsibility (Native Northwest, 2026)
- Peekaboo Baby (Native Northwest, 2026)