Firekeeper's Daughter
Young Adult Mystery/Thriller
The JEDI committee hosted a book club in the winter of 2023 focused on Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley—a YA mystery/thriller, winner for Goodreads’ Best Young Adult Fiction (2021). This was our first choice that highlights an Indigenous author and perspective. Although a work of fiction, Ojibwe culture and traditions are woven into the story. This will be one way to expand or continue to expand your journey of education in the realm of JEDI work.
This informal book study helped shaped conversations around:
- social issues (poverty, health care, etc.);
- share similar experiences with the tug and pull of different families/cultures; and,
- What are potential different meanings for being Native? Why could it change depending on perspective?
Consider listening to this episode of the "All My Relations" podcast.
Check out this resource shared by Victoria Rydberg, via David O’Connor. It is a wonderful teacher’s guide to the book with additional resources, questions, pre-activities and ideas for further exploration.
Interested in purchasing?
Consider these local indie bookstores:
- Birchbark Books, Indigenous-owned in MN
- Bookshop.org
- Kizzy’s Books and More
These next suggestions may require a direct message on book availability:
- https://darickbooks.com/ (Black-owned in Milwaukee)
- A Room of One’s Own (a trans and queer owned bookstore in Madison)



