oolichan moon

Stories of the people of the Pacific Northwest have always intrigued and fascinated me. The beautiful formline art along with the knowledge from the people in this plentiful area of Turtle Island is information that is not as readily available living in Ontario. Oolichan moon by Samantha Beynon and Lucy Trimble is a beautiful story about family, traditions and the saak, saviour fish.

Two sisters are excited to visit Grandmother and Grandfather. They are really hoping it's the time of the year for the Oolichan catch. They are all members of the Nisga’a and the Oolichan is a very important staple for the community. The sisters eagerly ask for and listen to Grandmother tell them of the importance of this little fish to their community.

Samantha’s Beynon writes an engaging story filled with incredible information about the Oolichan and its importance to the Nisga’a peoples. Readers learn that they are the first fish to return to the river at the end of the winter, just as food stores are running out. They were and still are an important trading staple for the Nisga’a and are incredibly tasty. The story flows from information to story seamlessly and gives readers so much to think about and to compare with the ways we live now. Oolichan moon is a story that celebrates Indigenous history and knowledge.

The backmatter in this picture book is fantastic. Samantha Beynon gives readers a link to hear the Nisga’a words pronounced by herself as well as other information about the Oolichan and how it’s being harvested and used today.

Lucy Trimble art is powerful and beautiful. The formline drawings that fill each page take readers to the Pacific Northwest to the Nass River to join in the Oolichan harvest. Bold images and bright colours draw readers into the narrative and hold their attention just like Grandmother draws in her granddaughters with her powerful storytelling.