I Am My Name: A Girl's Journey to Finding Her Cree Family by Judith Henderson, Na'kuset, Onedove ISBN: 0593648765
Genres: Cultural / First Nations, Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads
This is an eye-opening autobiographical story of how a young Cree girl was removed from her family without consent during Canada’s Sixties Scoop, which took Indigenous children from their families, and fostered or adopted them out to primarily white families. She was put in a new home and given a new name, completely losing her identity and missing her biological sister. While she finds some joy in her childhood, and develops a special bond with her adopted grandmother “Bubbie”, she longs to know her true identity. After she is grown, Bubbie helps her find her biological sister. Finally, reconnecting with her Indigenous roots, she is given a Spirit name by an Elder. She is Na’kuset, or the Sun. The life-like illustrations carry you on this emotional journey with Na’kuset. This is an important story for any collection, and particularly for education around colonization. Recommended for ages 6 to 9 (1st to 4th Grade). Cream of the Crop nominee.
Reviewed by: Jenn Mead, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell