top of page
Muinji’j Asks Why

Muinji’j Asks Why

An educational and heartfelt retelling of the story of the Mi’kmaq and their traditional lands, Mi’kma’ki, for young readers, focused on the generational traumas of the Indian Residential School System.
“The story of the Mi’kmaw people is one that very few truly know, Ladybug. Even fewer understand what happened at the residential schools. It is a hard story to tell, but you must know the truth. Sit and I will tell you the story.“
When seven-year-old Muinji’j comes home from school one day, her Nana and Papa can tell right away that she’s upset. Her teacher has been speaking about the residential schools. Unlike most of her fellow students, Muinji’j has always known about the residential schools. But what she doesn’t understand is why the schools existed and why children would have died there.
Nana and Papa take Muinji’j aside and tell her the whole story, from the beginning. They help her understand all of the decisions that were made for the Mi’kmaq, not with the Mi’kmaq, and how those decisions hurt her people. They tell her the story of her people before their traditional ways were made illegal, before they were separated and sent to reservations, before their words, their beliefs, and eventually, their children, were taken from them.
A poignant, honest, and necessary book featuring brilliant artwork from Mi’kmaw artist Zeta Paul and words inspired by Muinji’j MacEachern’s true story, Muinji’j Asks Why will inspire conversation, understanding, and allyship for readers of all ages.

Join the Conversation Today...

 

WRITE A REVIEW
average rating is 5 out of 5, based on 1 votes, book lovers sharing their thoughts

100 % would recommend

Thanks for submitting a review! 😘

Hidayah Al-Kanz

Location:

Atlantic Canada

average rating is 5 out of 5

Time Published

Wonderful Children's book!

After hearing conflicting tales about residential schools, a Mi'kmaw child, Muinji’j, is told the true and heart-rending story of residential schools by her grandparents. This educational children’s picture book explains the reality the Mi’kmaw people faced in residential schools through vivid illustrations and honest words. It was easily one of the best children’s books I have ever read. I especially enjoyed how the book told a specific story about a single residential school rather than taking a more general approach. This is a great read to spark conversation with children and adults alike about the unfair treatment of the Mi’kmaq.

The book touches on dark yet extremely important topics such as death, abuse, kidnapping, and assimilation in a very simple manner so all ages can understand. Although this book is a children’s book, I recommend it to everyone looking to understand what happened at residential schools in straightforward terms. It was so informative and encouraged staying true to one's beliefs by portraying how the Mi’kmaw people tried to maintain the ways of their ancestors under the given circumstances.

In the book, Muinji’j’s grandparents talk mostly about the past but also address the present and future of the Mi'kmaq. The book takes a truthful, delicate approach to a challenging issue. It also covered the alienation and fear the Mi’kmaw children who survived residential schools encountered when returning home, feeling as if they belonged in neither their Mikmaw community nor the Canadians’. The book defines a few Mi'kmaq words throughout and also speaks of the start of the Mi'kmaw people's healing. I believe this book is a must-read.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a short, honest, and enlightening read.

I rate this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars, and I would give it more stars if I could!

I recommend this book.

bottom of page