2026 Indigenous Story Spotlight
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June is National Indigenous History Month, a time for all Canadians to reflect upon and learn about the history, culture, and strength of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Peoples.
Each June, we proudly shine the spotlight on a selection of books by Indigenous FriesenPress authors published within the last year. As a professional publishing services provider, we understand the revelatory power of self-publishing in helping authors bypass traditional gatekeepers and share their stories directly with the world – a power acutely felt by underrepresented and historically marginalized peoples who seek to preserve their culture.
We hope that this selection of titles provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and learn about the history, culture, and strength of Indigenous Peoples and their deep-rooted multitude of stories – not only this month, but always.
Mike Fournier, Intelligence Operator 230: In the Service of Canada
"For years, friends and family urged me to write down the stories I told about serving as a stoker in the Navy and later as an Intelligence Operator in the Army. People enjoyed those funny stories, but the real reason I started writing ran deeper.
After my tour in Poland behind the Iron Curtain, I was diagnosed with PTSD. Unfortunately, I did not receive the care I needed. After retiring, I turned to an Elder. He and his Medicine Man taught me our Indigenous ways, including our ceremonies, our responsibilities as Indigenous men in our communities, and how to walk the Red Road. Their teachings grounded me and prepared me for my deployment to Afghanistan. Like many warrior brothers and sisters, I returned home with unseen scars that cut deeply into my mind and spirit. Once again, ceremony, culture, and community helped me move forward.
In 2022, I began writing not only the funny stories people expected but also the realities of war I had borne for decades. I wrote about the heartbreak of losing soldiers, the grief of ramp ceremonies, and the toll that intelligence work behind the Iron Curtain had taken on my family. Writing became a form of healing; the process proved therapeutic and cathartic for me. I am but one straw in the haystack. I encourage other veterans to try writing as well.
Intelligence Operator 230: In the Service of Canada is more than a memoir of military adventures. It is a story about identity and how returning to my culture helped me heal. I also hope it offers espionage enthusiasts a glimpse into Canadian Military Intelligence and, by sharing my experience with PTSD, helps other veterans feel less alone.”
Visit the author’s website | Follow Mike on Instagram | Browse the book on our bookstore
Larry Busch, Little Painted Eagle and the Teaching Rocks: A Journey of Self-Discovery
"I felt the need to inspire and encourage Native persons – and those with Indigenous heritage who did not have the advantage of exposure to the Seven Grandfather Teachings – to follow the paths of their ancestral spirits. I felt a fictional story focusing on self-discovery by an adolescent Native youth would reach an important Native demographic.
The narrative teaches and inspires my character, with the help of his grandmother's spirit, to apply the visions he shares with the Native spirits within the petroglyphs and pictographs to the political, social and socioeconomic issues facing his community that are common among so many Native communities across the country today.
There are many children's books about the Seven Grandfather Teachings, but I felt a book positioned to instruct and influence Native and non-Native youth is very much needed."
Bill Tooshkenig, An Odyssey: My Seven Years As a First Nations Chief
Shared by Bill’s son, Stephen Tooshkenig: "Bill Tooshkenig was born and raised on Bkejwanong Territory/Walpole Island First Nation, helping build his community by providing leadership in economic development, employment training, and education. Bkejwanong Territory is situated along the St. Clair River in Southern Ontario, directly on the USA/Canada border.
As an Indigenous/Ojibwe Chief, Bill Tooshkenig wrote this book to provide a detailed account of how to build, lead, and develop a community. The path to success is not always smooth and easy – he provides real-life insights that can only be read in this book. An Odyssey provides the opportunity to learn firsthand from the real life insights of a First Nation Chief – learn more about Indigenous ways of living through the vision of an incredible, dynamic leader."
Connect with Stephen Tooshkenig on LinkedIn | Browse the book on our bookstore
Alexis Lavoie, When the Sun Burns My Skin
"My family has been living in Canada for centuries, both as French/Irish settlers and as Plains Cree Indigenous to Saskatchewan. Colonialism diluted my Indigenous heritage, but part of my heart was never truly connected to my Roman Catholic traditions. I was, and in many ways still am, a wanderer who can never fully connect to either group; the Catholic communities around me will not accept me because of my gender identity and other conflicting views, and I often struggle to connect to my Indigenous heritage as I was raised entirely in a colonial Christian society.
This is Rebecca Border's struggle as she navigates life in the fictional city of Atarah. She connects with the pigeons around her, sees a soul equal to her own in their yellow eyes, but her devout Christian family never takes any of these insights seriously. Rebecca learns of her Indigenous heritage in her late teens from her father, but her Plains Cree origins are in Regina, and she is living right beside Vancouver Island. The people available to learn from see the world in shades different from Rebecca's, and all the people she longs to learn from live so far away.
As forces outside Rebecca's control bring unexpected people into her life, Rebecca learns more about both sides of her heritage. The Indigenous and French people in Atarah each bring their own values to the situation, and only by embracing and learning from both is Rebecca able to survive the events unfolding around her. We must have a mind as open as Rebecca's as we navigate the politics and daily life of modern Canada, surrounded daily by different cultures, each with unique lessons we can all learn from."
Visit the author’s website | Browse the book on our bookstore
Maurice Switzer, Sons of Tecumseh
"Sons of Tecumseh is about the historic and contemporary struggles that North American Indians have faced to achieve a unified front to overcome the challenges of colonialism.
The novel’s plot thread describes how legendary Shawnee leader Tecumseh was fatally unsuccessful in his efforts to unite tribes south of the Great Lakes in the face of relentless encroachment by settlers into their lands after the American Revolution. Two centuries later, Billy Favell, the fictional leader of a First Nations political organization in Canada, suffers a similar fate after being convinced by government advisors to betray his own constituents.
My two decades as a communications director for First Nations political organizations convinced me that Sons of Tecumseh was a story that had to be told. At the very time when Indigenous populations in Canada need to speak with one voice to ensure that their constitutional rights ensure them a fair share of the country's prosperity, their political leaders are squabbling with one another about legitimacy. A glaringly specific example is the failure of on-reserve First Nations chiefs to advocate for equal taxation relief for the overwhelming majority of their citizens who seek better opportunities in urban centres.
I hope that my novel will contribute to a national conversation about Indigenous representation, and serve as a voice for thousands of First Nations citizens who do not enjoy the privilege of being heard.”
Visit the author’s website | Follow Maurice on Facebook | Browse the book on our bookstore
Amara Shores: Emancipated Blooms: Petals of Resistance, A Voice Unburied
“Emancipated Blooms was also shaped by the impact of intergenerational trauma within my family. My grandmother and great-aunt attended residential schools, and my mother and her siblings were part of the Sixties Scoop, separated from one another and raised in different homes. The trauma, racism, abuse, and disconnection that followed deeply affected generations of my family, including my own childhood. For many years, I carried the weight of those wounds without fully understanding where they came from.
One of the most meaningful parts of my healing journey has been recognizing those patterns and choosing to break them. Through recovery, self-awareness, and support, I worked to create a different life for my children — one rooted in love, accountability, healing, and emotional safety. Publishing Emancipated Blooms became part of that healing process and a way to honour both the pain and resilience carried through generations."
Visit the author’s website | Follow Amara on Facebook | Browse the book on our bookstore
Alex Gordon: Little Big Boss: A Métis Man's Stories of Life in Canada's Arctic
"Sixty-five years ago, I started a journey to discover the Northwest Territories and the Arctic region of Canada. Little did I know that I would fall in love with all of its beauty and the people who live there.
The book is a collection of stories about my family’s experiences but most of all about the Inuit of the High Arctic; their ingenuity and perseverance living in a harsh environment characterized by extreme or dangerous conditions. Their resilience gave them the strength to overcome severe winter climate, poverty or social instability.
Verbally sharing stories of my 20 years in the Northwest Territories and Arctic inspired many friends and family members to encourage me to capture the stories in Little Big Boss.
The Inuit taught me so much about their culture, humility, hospitality, humour, and their honesty. Readers will learn how I collaborated with local leaders to help their communities thrive. This included visiting remote camps by boat, small plane, or by dog team to address the needs of the Inuit. In return, I made many friends and was honoured to participate in the annual caribou hunt where thousands of caribou travelled through the Bathurst Inlet country in early May.
My work involved understanding the needs of Inuit and helping them build realistic plans for success. This was important for many reasons including maintaining Canadian sovereignty in the North and monitoring for foreign military intervention. With this issue once again on the minds of Canadians, Little Big Boss provides readers with insight into life in Northern Canada, and the great opportunities to further social and economic development of the Arctic.”
Laurie Decontie: A Miscarriage Memoir: From an Indigenous Woman’s Perspective
“During my own experience with a missed miscarriage, I became deeply concerned by the lack of Indigenous-based books and resources addressing pregnancy loss, which inspired me to take action. This journey required me to reflect inwardly and revisit firsthand my own experience, while navigating the complex emotions that accompanied it. Although sharing such sensitive details during and after my miscarriage was incredibly difficult, I believed it was important to be as open and honest as possible. Through sharing my story, I hope to offer readers a sense of hope, reassure them that healing is possible, and emphasize the importance of honouring the healing process after loss.
Currently I am in the process of reaching out to Indigenous communities and organizations, particularly clinics, friendship centres, and hospitals, to offer copies of my book. A Miscarriage Memoir From an Indigenous Woman’s Perspective is available to purchase on Amazon & Indigo/Chapters. I am also available to travel for book launches, signings, book clubs, and speaking engagements.”
