Walking Together

May 15, 2023
In Mi'kmaq culture, honoring the interconnection among humans, plants, animals, and land is everyone's responsibility. In their debut picture-book collaboration, Elder Marshall (Mi'kmaq) and Zimanyi emphasize the power and importance of having the right relationship with the Earth and its many inhabitants. "When we walk together / in a good way on Turtle Island, / we learn we are all connected. / We are never alone. We need each other. Mawikwayk--Together, we are strong." Alongside glowing, colorful illustrations from Anishnaabe illustrator Kewageshig, this tale goes beyond discussing mere environmental responsibility. Emphasizing intergenerational learning, Indigenous storytelling, and the wisdom of nonhuman life, Marshall and Zimanyi describe the concepts of Etuaptmumk ("Two-eyed seeing") and Netukulimk ("protecting Mother Earth for the ancestors and for present and future generations"). These ways of Indigenous knowing underscore interdependence and reverence, helping young readers understand that "we take only if there is enough. / We ask before we take / and we listen for the answer. / We share." Though the narrative is simply told, the deep lessons of Mawikwayk, Etuaptmumk, and Netukulimk will provide readers with much food for thought. Backmatter includes an acknowledgment of the late Mi'kmaq spiritual leader and healer Chief Charles Labrador, whose teachings are reflected throughout. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A moving read to instill love and respect for the natural world. (Picture book. 4-10)

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May 26, 2023

PreS-Gr 1-A joyful celebration of the natural world through the lens of etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing), the gift of multiple perspectives in the Mi'kmaw language. Using the repeating phrase "when we walk together in a good way," the authors highlight the many lessons children can learn from nature when they stop and listen. Focusing on the interconnectedness between communities and ecosystems, the text moves through several lessons, the most important being the need to protect nature for future generations. "When we take care of the Land and Water, the Land and Water takes care of us." Paired with Kewageshig's dynamic and colorful illustrations, this book is a beautiful celebration of Indigenous knowledge and the importance of respecting the land. The use of straightforward language makes the book accessible to young readers. The Afterword explains etuaptmumk in more depth, and reminds readers that they are always surrounded by life. VERDICT This is a great educational resource for elementary collections, and could serve as a powerful conversation starter for classroom discussions on the environment. Recommended.-Jillian Girardeau

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 14, 2023
In this meditative collaboration, vivid illustrations accompany accessible observations around what happens “when we walk together in a good way.” Mi’kmaw Nation author Marshall and French Canadian and Hungarian author Zimanyi repeat the phrase as intergenerational figures of various skin tones are shown viewing change in a seasonal landscape, where they “receive the gifts of Mother Earth through stories.” While walking together, the figures communicate in chorus, touching on vital bonds (“We are all connected.// We are never alone./ We need each other./ Mawikwayk—Together, we are strong”) as well as, per an author’s note, themes of Etuaptmumk (“Two-eyed Seeing”) and Netukulimk (“protecting Mother Earth for the ancestors and for present and future generations”). Intensely colored multimedia art from Anishinaabe illustrator Kewageshig, suggestive of stained glass’s translucence, depict the figures and landscapes with reverence. An afterword concludes. Ages 4–7.

Starred review from May 1, 2023
Grades K-2 *Starred Review* It is springtime, and the sun is warming Turtle Island, coaxing life out of its winter slumber. Each page begins with the advice to ""walk together in a good way,"" which means to go about with care and appreciation, and guides readers on how to do so: listen to the wisdom of the Frog and the Hummingbird and pay attention to the gifts of the Waters and Lands that take care of us. They remind us to take care of them so they may remain for future generations. Walking together is also known as Etuaptmumk, or "Two-Eyed Seeing," in which human actions are protective of other living things. The tone of the text is gentle but with an underlying insistence, and if readers need to be convinced of the beauty of the planet, they need look no further than the stunning pages of this book. Scenes of people interacting respectfully with nature are rendered in vibrant colors, with fluid black-and-gold outlines, in a style that is both contemporary and traditional. The afterword provides context for the book's inspiration and creation: the wisdom of Chief Charles Labrador of Acadia First Nation, Nova Scotia. This important, gorgeous book has something for readers of all ages.

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