I finally read both I Lost My Talk by Rita Joe and I'm Finding My Talk by Rebecca Thomas, both illustrated by Pauline Young. These works of accessible poetry in picture book form were intended to be read as companions to one another, so that's how I read them. They make for a gentle introduction to the topics of losing culture and language in the Residential School System in Canada (in I Lost My Talk) and trying to find culture and language that your family has lost before you were even born (in I'm Finding My Talk). The poetry is beautiful and the art is stunning. I could see them both making excellent education resources either in schools or at home.

I would definitely recommend both, especially together!

A nice look at her gaining back her language that her dad was taken away from. Learning back her heritage. Nice to teach kids with.

I’m Finding My Talk is a beautiful story of a girl, who grew up on a reservation with her father and learned very little of her heritage. Mi’k maw life was portrayed through art as she grew up, but as she grew up she wanted to know more. The schools held her up from learning her language, but as a young adult she is meeting her family and learning the importance of her dress, the rituals, the land, the community, and the elders. She is finding her talk as she combines all of the pieces that make her who she is. The author, Rebecca Thomas grew up on a reservation and did not know much about her culture, so she writes from her own experiences.

An absolutely beautiful story I will share with my class as we discuss identity. The illustrations match the beauty of the story! #netgalley #ImFindingMyTalk

I'm finding my talk
And it may take some time,
But I'm learning to speak
In a language that's mine.]

This short, 32 page book, is a perfect companion piece to I lost My Talk". Both books are scheduled to come out on April 30. I'm Finding My Talk is the story of a young woman of Mi'kmaw heritage who doesn't know her story. It was taken from her dad, Rita Joe and the generations that followed in the Residential Schools of Canada. In her 20s she was inspired when she read Rita Joe's poem - I Lost My Talk.. She grew determined to honor her dad and her past. One word at a time she is learning the language, One oral story telling, one smudge bowl, and one family reunion at a time she is learning more. " With clumsy feet that put down the grass with every dreambeat and with each bead she sews on to her regalia she learns more. She knows it will take some time but she is passionate about knowing her language and finding her talk. and she is passionate about sharing that talk with her nieces and nephews. Fortunately we can be part of her search for a voice.

#ImFindingMyTalk #NetGalley

I'm Finding My Talk by Rebecca Thomas is a great companion book to I Lost My Talk by Rita Joe. It tells the story of a native American girl whose father grew up in the residential school system of Canada and was robbed of his chance of growing up with his true traditions and language. The poem "I Lost My Talk" by Rita Joe inspired her to learn more about her culture and language and to speak up about it. Fittingly, the illustrations in this book are also done by Pauline Young but the colors are more vibrant and uplifting, fitting to the theme of learning to live as your true self.