I have always felt like September was the start of a new year. The start of school signaled the start of a new beginning so much more so than January first ever has. To start off a new beginning on the right path grab a copy of Treaty Words for as Long as the Rivers Flow by Aimée Craft and Luke Swinson to reaffirm our collective responsibilities as Treaty people. 

Treaty Words is a beautiful non-fiction book that fits right in the palm of your hand. I love it’s compact size making it a book that you can carry around with you as a reminder of how we are all connected; human, animals and the land. Aimée Craft teaches young readers about what it means to be part of a treaty and how treaties have been around since the dawn of time with the first one between the earth realm and the sky realm. Since creation, treaties have been formed between the earth and humans, humans and animals and humans and other humans. She expertly crafts a beautiful narrative with Mishomis teaching his granddaughter; an elder passing down knowledge to keep teachings and traditions alive. Her descriptions are vivid and readers will be enveloped by the sounds of the land as they explore what it means to be part of a treaty.

As we enter September and approach Orange Shirt Day, it is important that our children understand their responsibilities to the land they live on and the people and animals who now share these spaces.

Luke Swinson’s illustrations are gorgeous, flowing like the river from page to page, taking the reader to the bank of the kitchi sipi. Landscapes and close up views of the images Aimée Craft describes with her words makes this non-fiction book so much richer and interesting for young readers.