Books

By Monique Gray Smith

Monique is an award-winning author, whose books resonate with readers of all generations and backgrounds. In each of her books, Monique weaves in the teaching that Love is Medicine.

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults

Drawing from her experiences as an Indigenous scientist, botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer demonstrated how all living things—from strawberries and witch hazel to water lilies and lichen—provide us with gifts and lessons every day in her best-selling book Braiding Sweetgrass. Adapted for young adults by Monique Gray Smith, this new edition reinforces how wider ecological understanding stems from listening to the earth’s oldest teachers: the plants around us. With informative sidebars, reflection questions, and art from illustrator Nicole Neidhardt, Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults brings Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the lessons of plant life to a new generation.

I Hope

Poignant words from award-winning Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith about all the hopes adults have for the young people in their lives.

The hopes we have for the children in our lives are endless. We want our young people to thrive and experience all that life has to offer, but we also feel protective of them. Using simple but powerful statements, Monique Gray Smith delivers a touching message about loving, nurturing and wishing the best for our children. Paired with Gabrielle Grimard's warm and enchanting illustrations, the message in I Hope will resonate with all parents, grandparents and caregivers.

Tilly and the Crazy Eights

This heartwarming novel follows novel follows a woman named Tilly, who agrees to drive eight Elders on an "ultimate bucket list road trip" to the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow in New Mexico. The trip proves life-changing for Tilly and her passengers.

This novel won the PMC Indigenous Literature Award and is available as an audiobook, in paperback or on Kindle.

Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience

Explore history and resilience through story with this revealing work of creative non-fiction that tells the story of a young Indigenous woman coming of age in Canada in the 1980s. Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience illuminates the 20th century history of the First Peoples of Canada—forced displacement, residen­tial schools, tuberculosis hospitals, the Sixties Scoop, and more.

In a spirit of hope, this unique, award-winning story captures the irrepressible resilience of Tilly, and of Indigenous peoples everywhere.

Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation

Guided by acclaimed Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith, readers will learn about the lives of Survivors and listen to allies who are putting the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission into action.

This accessible, heartfelt book is essential reading for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of reconciliation and what it looks like in practice.

Lucy & Lola

The Journey Forward, A Novella On Reconciliation.

Lucy and Lola are 11-year-old twins who are heading to Gabriola Island, BC, to spend the summer with their Kookum (grandmother) while their mother studies for the bar exam. During their time with Kookum, the girls begin to learn about her experiences in being sent — and having to send their mother — to Residential school. Ultimately, they discover what it means to be intergenerational survivors.

The Ripple Effect of Resiliency: Strategies for Fostering Resiliency with Indigenous Children

A resource and workbook for those working with Indigenous children and families.

t includes chapters on: Resiliency
- Trauma
- Indigenous history
- Personal and workplace wellness. The next four chapters include information, stories and examples for fostering resiliency. They have been developed as four blankets and include: Sense of self
- Sense of family
- Sense of community
- Sense of culture, language and land. Also included is an extensive resource chapter.

Every Child Matters Magazine

Written for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Written by award-winning Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith, this magazine, which is based on the Seven Sacred Teachings, is aimed for students in grades 5–12 and is available in both English and French.

Each chapter teaches children about residential schools, Treaties, and the historic and current relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Accompanied by supplementary educational resources, the magazine is both a guide and a journal for young people as they explore their feelings, build confidence, and foster greater respect and empathy throughout their reconciliation journeys.