This new comic book-style graphic novel from Orca is scheduled for October release, but if you preorder now, you’ll be among the first to hold it in your own hands. It’s a remarkable real-life story that came to author Trina Rathgeber from her grandmother, Ilse Schweder, whose Cree name was iskwêw pethasêw: “Woman of the Thunderbird.” I was extra lucky to get a preview through Orca, so I know for sure what a gem this is (it even includes some Cree vocabulary!) With thanks to Trina for permission to quote, here’s what she wrote about it on FaceBook:
In 1944, my grandmother Ilse Schweder was lost in a whiteout snowstorm after being separated from her brothers while checking their trap line near Nueltin Lake at the Windy River Trading Post. She was only thirteen years old and she spent nine days battling everything the North could throw at her.
Our family was so proud of her, not only for this amazing survival story, but also for who she was, the time she spent with us, and the lessons she passed on. She was an inspiring grandmother and she is missed by so many. Her story has been fictionalized before and it always bothered her that her story was never recorded reflecting her true experience. This is Ilse’s story. She shared it with my family and now I’m proud to share it with you.
The book is a graphic novel built for ages 9-12 that teaches about the North, Indigenous culture, trapping, winter survival, our connection to animals and Mother Earth and of course is one heck of a TRUE adventure story!
This book for me represents the reclamation of a story lived by an Indigenous woman that now cannot be lost. It’s teachings can be passed down, and another small piece of culture preserved.
You will find me at The Word On The Street Festival Lethbridge in September and the Vancouver Writers Fest in October! So honoured to be invited to speak at these events.
With gratitude and thanks to so many supporters, including Orca Book Publishers and the Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada you can find this book online for pre-order now wherever you like to get your books (Indigo, Amazon, Mcnally Robinson and more) and on a shelf near you in October. 
Enjoy the wonderful Illustrations by Alina Pete and Jillian Dolan! 
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2 Responses
tansi, I’m the colorist, Jillian Dolan. Thank you for covering this book! I’d love to highlight that this team, Trina, Alina and myself all have nehiyaw roots because it’s not often I get to work on a team like that.
Some years before he passed nimosomipan sat me down and taught me some of the nehiyawewin he could remember. Between language classes and resources like this website, I am able to keep adding to the braid of knowledge he gave me. I hope this book and it’s lesson similarly gets woven into any young life that needs it.
Thanks, Jillian, and congratulations to you on being part of this gorgeous project. I can’t wait to see it in real life. Thanks, also, for your kind words: it’s a privilege to see Cree people lift one another up!