Anang, a two-spirit Anishinaabe 10-year-old, wants to wear a ribbon skirt to the upcoming powwow in this highly recommended graphic novel. Their grandparents, whom they live with, are supportive, but Anang is hesitant about what other people might think, since the garment is traditionally worn by women.
We see that they’ve been harassed at school for being two-spirit, and they’ve lost the friendship of Sherry, a girl in their class who doesn’t understand Anang’s two-spirit identity. Anang is therefore not thrilled when Sherry ends up staying at Anang’s house while her (Sherry’s) parents are going through a divorce.
Inspired by a two-spirit elder and encouraged by their nookomis (grandmother), however, Anang speaks with the spirit of the lake, along with turtles and crows, about the ribbon skirt. With a little help from the spirit world, an older teen, and others in their community, they gather the materials they need, gaining confidence in their endeavor. We eventually learn what sparked Sherry’s rejection of Anang’s identity, and see the two friends reconcile before the big event.
Author/illustrator Cameron Mukwa, who is Ojibwe, has created a protagonist in Anang who is both confident in who they are but still unsure about some aspects of expressing themself. This makes for an affirming story that still leaves room for character growth. The illustrations are full of warm, natural tones and bold lines, and the relatively sparse dialog lets the images carry much of the story. It should be a compelling read for young people seeking either windows or mirrors about Anishinaabe culture and being two-spirit.
Backmatter includes a glossary of Southwestern Ojibwe terms used in the book, histories of ribbon skirts and powwows, and information about going to a powwow and about what being two-spirit is.
