Description
Written by Albert McLeod, a Status Indian with ancestry from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Metis communities of Cross Lake and Norway House in northern Manitoba. Contributions by Elaine Mordoch and Sonya Ballantyne, a Swampy Cree writer, filmmaker, and speaker from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Illustrated by Alice RL, a non-binary, Ojibwe artist. Lettering by Kielamel Sibal, a Filipino Canadian letterer, graphic designer, cartoonist, writer, and illustrator.
In this engrossing graphic novel, teen hockey player Chase learns more about himself and his identity in the face of prejudice and homophobia.
Thirteen-year-old Chase’s life and identity should be simple. He’s the goalie for his hockey team, the Eagles. He’s a friend to Kevin and Jade. He's Kookum's youngest grandchild. He’s a boy. He should like girls.
But it’s not that simple. Chase doesn’t like girls the way that the other boys do. It’s scary being so different from his peers. Scarier still is the feeling that his teammates can tell who he is—and that they hate him for it. If he pretends hard enough, maybe he can hide who he is.
Real strength and change can’t come from a place of shame. Chase’s dreams are troubled by visions of a bear spirit, and the more he tries to hide, the more everything falls apart. With the help of an Elder, and a Two-Spirit mentor, can Chase find the strength to be proud of who he is?
Between the Pipes explores toxic masculinity in hockey through the experiences of an Indigenous teen. Full colour throughout. Audience: Ages 12-18.