is one of the first books of its kind

an autobiographical memory

Mary Brave Bird grew up fatherless in a one-room cabin

including communities often ignored or overlooked

As Cedar goes back to her own biological beginnings

Kekwan Etakwak Mîkisîhk / What's in a Bead? transgender is one of the firstTessa loves how her grandmother always smells of campfire stories. Mom says its because Kohkom spends her days sewing beautiful beads onto smoked hides. Inspired, Tessa asks Kohkom to teach her beading, but first she must listen and learn about the many stories held in a bead. This dual language edition contains the story in both Ininmowin (Cree, N dialect) and English.