Gift Is in the Making

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson (she/her/hers) is a Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg scholar, writer, and musician with a PhD from the University of Manitoba. She is the author of A Short History of the Blockade, Noopiming, As We Have Always Done, Dancing on Our Turtle’s Back, Islands of Decolonial Love, and This Accident of Being Lost. Leanne is a member of Alderville First Nation, in Ontario, Canada. Leanne's fourth album, Theory of Ice will be released in March 2021 with You've Changed Records. Amanda Strong is a Michif, Indigenous filmmaker, media artist, and stop motion director currently based out of the unceded Coast Salish territory also known as Vancouver, British Columbia. She has exhibited work and screened films worldwide, including at the Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, and the Ottawa International Animation Festival. @spottedfawnart

• ContentsIntroduction1 Our Treaty with the Hoof Nation2 The Baagaataa’awa Game that Changed Everything3 All our Relations4 A Gift from a Very Smart Little Green Frog5 She Knew Exactly What To Do6 Zhingwaak Gets a Little Snippy7 Please Be Careful When You’re Getting Smart8 It’s You Who Makes the Name Powerful9 Good Neighbours10 Want11 Zhigaag’s Powerful Medicine12 The Place of Muddy Water13 It’s a Very Good Thing to Be Yourself14 Honouring Ojiig in the Night Sky15 Gwiiwzens Makes a Lovely Discovery16 The Star People Are Always Watching17 Zhiishiib Makes Everybody Lunch18 Makwa, the Great Faster19 She Had a Beautiful, Speckled Design20 The Rock on Miskwaadesi’s Back21 The Gift Is in the MakingAcknowledgmentsFurther Reading

[These stories] embrace and embellish the teachings, reflecting their established power for today's listeners and readers of all ages. The words and images [roll] effortlessly off the tongue (and eyes). Highly Recommended.