Pemmican Wars

Pemmican Wars is a 2017 graphic novel written by Katherena Vermette and illustrated by Scott B. Henderson and Donovan Yaciuk. The story centers on Echo, a 13-year-old girl living in a group home who experiences mysterious time-travel visions during her history classes. The narrative alternates between Echo's present-day challenges and vivid flashbacks to 19th-century Manitoba during the Pemmican Wars, a period of conflict between European settlers and the Métis people. Through these historical sequences, Echo witnesses traditional bison hunts and key events from this turbulent period while navigating her own complex reality. The graphic novel features minimal dialogue and text, relying instead on visual storytelling through detailed illustrations. The diverse cast includes Indigenous characters, LGBTQ+ representation, and characters with disabilities. This first volume in the A Girl Called Echo series explores themes of cultural identity, historical connection, and personal discovery through the intersection of past and present. The parallel narratives examine how understanding one's heritage can impact self-discovery.

Readers highlight the graphic novel's thoughtful handling of Indigenous history and identity through time travel elements. The art style and color choices receive consistent praise for enhancing the emotional impact of the story. Likes: - Clear explanation of complex historical topics for young readers - Strong character development of Echo - Integration of Métis culture and language - Educational value while maintaining engagement Dislikes: - Some found the time-travel transitions confusing - Readers wanted more depth to certain plot elements - Several noted it ends abruptly, requiring next volume purchase Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (50+ ratings) Multiple reviewers mention using it successfully in classroom settings. A teacher on Goodreads noted: "My students connected with Echo's journey of discovering her heritage." Some readers expressed frustration with the short length, with one Amazon reviewer stating: "Just as I was getting invested, it ended."

Red Wolf by Jennifer Dance Chronicles a First Nations boy's survival at residential school while connecting with his ancestral spirit animal, offering similar themes of Indigenous heritage and identity as found in Pemmican Wars.

This Place: 150 Years Retold by Various Indigenous Authors Features Indigenous stories across Canadian history through interconnected graphic narratives that blend historical events with personal journeys like Echo's time-travel experiences.

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline Follows Indigenous teens in a dystopian future who must protect their cultural memories while being hunted, paralleling the historical preservation themes in Pemmican Wars.

Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger Presents a supernatural mystery featuring a 17-year-old Lipan Apache protagonist who connects with her ancestral powers to solve modern-day crimes.

If I Go Missing by Brianna Jonnie Combines graphic novel elements with documentary-style storytelling to explore contemporary Indigenous experiences while connecting to historical contexts.

✦ Author Katherena Vermette is a Métis writer from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and won the Governor General's Literary Award for her poetry collection "North End Love Songs" ✦ The Pemmican Wars (1814-1821) were conflicts between the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company over the vital food source pemmican, which was essential for fur traders' survival ✦ Pemmican, a concentrated mixture of dried meat, fat, and berries, was a traditional food of Indigenous peoples that could last for years without spoiling ✦ The book is part of "A Girl Called Echo," a graphic novel series that spans four volumes, each exploring different periods of Métis history ✦ The illustrations in the book were created by Scott B. Henderson, an award-winning Canadian artist known for his work on Indigenous stories and historical comics