Children of the First People: Fresh Voices of Alaska's Native Kids

by Tricia Brown (Contributor), Roy Corral (Photographer)

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Alaskan favorite Children of the Midnight Sun , the same author and photographer join again to collaborate on this new book Children of the First People to present the voices of a new generation of young Alaska Natives and how they celebrate their unique cultures and traditions.

From the Southeast rainforest to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta tundra, to the reaches of the far north, Alaska Native kids live a life that mixes ancient traditions with modern culture. Inside this book you’ll find ten profiles accompanied by beautiful color photographs of kids of various ages and from diverse cultures and backgrounds, as well as a map and a glossary of Native terms. No other book for children delves into all ten Native cultures with expert authority, making Children of the First People a one-of-a-kind treasure.

48 pages, Hardcover

Published April 9, 2019

Reviews

[Lori]

Children of the First People: Fresh Voices of Alaska’s Native Kids is a beautifully photographed book telling the stories of ten Alaska Native kids all from different Native cultures. The book features each kid’s personal story as he or she celebrates his or her unique culture.

I am proud of this book personally because my adopted son, James Williams, Tsimshian, of Metlakatla, Alaska, is one of the kids featured in this book.

If you’ve ever visited Alaska and fallen in love with it’s wild beauty and the people who call it home, or if you’re just curious to know more, this book will be an enjoyable addition to your library.

[Bre Scott]

Alaskan History, Inuit Voices, Informational
Brown, Tricia. Children of the First People: Fresh Voices of Alaska’s Native Kids. Photographs by Roy Corral. CA: Alaska Northwest Books, 2019. 47 pp. Age 12-14
A very informational book about the lives of 10 Inuit children and their story, culture, and beliefs. I think this is a really good informational book to read because it lets you see what these children’s lives are like and it can help teach some about the people who used to live and still live in Alaska.
Alaska Connection: Inuit Children, Alaskan History, Alaska’s Voices
Related Activity: In your groups discuss why is it so important to learn about the first people that came to Alaska?

[Renee]

Just read the first section but I would highly recommend this book for our public library.

A collection of 10 profiles of young people who balance their ancient traditions representing 10 unique cultures of First Peoples in Alaska and modern culture. Great photographs.

Helps to open the view of what Indigenous people look like today. My son was surprised to see a girl in the book playing basketball just like him. Much room for growth for non-Indigenous youth and adults.

[Tiffany]

Each chapter highlights a different native child from different regions of Alaska. I think if I was a classroom teacher it would be cool to read one a day until through them all. I liked looking up on the map where they live.