Heart Berry Bling

An illustrated book for children about Indigenous beading and the impact of the Indian Act on a contemporary family. A young girl beads with her granny and learns about perseverance, cultural connection, and how the Indian Act has impacted her family. Explores gender discrimination in the Indian Act, the impact it had on one woman’s family, and how she stayed in touch with her culture through tradition and art. Beadwork and crafting have experienced a surge in popularity in recent years; this book highlights beading as a means of learning, healing, and maintaining cultural connections. Jenny Kay Dupuis is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling picture book I Am Not a Number, which explored residential schools for younger readers. The author’s grandmother had her Indian status taken away in the same way as the granny in this story. The author’s grandmother was eventually able to reclaim her status, but the author and her siblings were still not eligible until 2011.