"My dad is so proud to teach us our
traditional ways: to let our hair grow
long, to stand up for what we believe
in, and to be brave.
But when I get teased at school, my
mom is the one who has to speak with
the teachers about our traditions.
My dad becomes so angry about it,
he loses his words."
A braid is at the heart of this story. A young Indigenous boy starts out unhappy about the daily horror of having his hair braided by his mother. The tugging and the knots hurt. He endures the hurt because the braid holds such importance for him; it gives him strength. He badly wants hair like his father who explains the cultural traditions of his people.
The boy finds himself admiring the dancers at powwows, and longs for the day when he can be like them. Starting school with his braid is not easy; he is taunted and teased by others. His determination helps him stay strong and brave in the face of their mistreatment. Sometimes, it makes him hurt and angry. That behavior leads to his father sharing stories from his younger days, and the fact that he was forced to have his hair cut. It wasn't until he was older that he wore a braid again; he had to teach himself to be brave always.
"Be the bravest person
you can be. Your ancestors'
strength is inside you."
His father's stories also include remembrances of his ancestors, and the rules they were forced to follow. Their stories are sad, full of fear and acceptance for things they could not change. The boy's father honors a promise he made when his son was born: to never cut his hair unless it was the boy's decision.
""You are the newest brave one in the generations
of brave men and women who have tried their best
to stand up for the things they believe in," he tells me."
The author's memorable images are created using gouache, watercolor, and ink. The rich colors and careful depictions of traditional life, both past and present, connect the boy to his history and encourage readers to think deeply.
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