Description
XWALUPUTHUT Patrick Aleck embodies a spirit of resilience. Living with cerebral palsy, Patrick learned how to walk when he was around eight years old and since 2011, he has been on an ongoing intergenerational healing journey. Patrick’s ties to his ancestral communities run deep with connections to the Hul’q’umi’num’ speaking peoples of Stz’uminus First Nation on his father’s side and Penelakut Island on his mother’s side. He currently lives on Snuneymuxw First Nation territory (Nanaimo), where he brings his music to many community and cultural gatherings and events. In 2012, Patrick reconnected with his culture, and he regularly drums, publicly speaks about his story, and began composing music in 2015. Patrick is a Raven with different wings and his unique experiences continue to carry him forward in important and meaningful ways. Dr. Rheanna Robinson is an Indigenous scholar and a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1997, Rheanna has lived with an evolving lens of MS-related disease and disability for almost 30 years, and Indigenous Disability Studies has become a primary focus of her work. Illustrated by Sean Robinson a Nisga'a student at the University of Victoria.
Spaal’ wants to fly like the other ravens, but learning to fly with different wings is really difficult!
Being born with different wings makes flying very challenging for Spaal’. What’s worse, the other ravens laugh at him which makes him feel sad. But with help from two kind teachers, Spaal’ practices every day and becomes a stronger flyer. Yet those ravens continue to laugh at him, even when he’s trying his best. Disheartened, Spaal’ talks to the Elder Ravens, who teach him that his difference is a gift, and how he can use that gift to help others. Watercolour illustrations are colourful and relatable.
Originally published in 2024 by Health Arts Research Centre (HARC) University of Northern British Columbia as a part of the H.E.A.L Healthcare Project. Audience: Ages 6-8.