Best Native Canadian Biographies Books of 2026

Zeronic's "Time Traveling to 1963" is an immersive journey that takes readers back to a remarkable time in history. The book features over 220 iconic images and 25 vintage ads to celebrate the unique culture, people, events, and arts that shaped the world in 1963. It covers everything from politics and leading events to sports and popular leisure activities. The book is perfect for those who were born or married in 1963 and makes for a great gift. Overall, this book is a comprehensive yet digestible way to relive the memories of a special year in history.

North Woods Survival: Train to Nowhere: A Wilderness Adventure Thriller is a captivating story about a young boy who wakes up in the middle of nowhere with no memory of who he is or how he got there. With only his backpack and winter gear, he must rely on his bushcraft skills to survive the deadly cold and overcome the challenges of mother nature. The book provides practical tips on wilderness survival, including building a snow cave, making snowshoes, and identifying animal tracks. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves adventure and wants to learn more about wilderness survival.

Jesintel: Living Wisdom from Coast Salish Elders is a beautifully curated book that presents the cultural teachings of nineteen elders to new generations. The book highlights the importance of ethical reciprocal relationships, language revitalization, family values, and storytelling. The interviews with elders also shed light on the traumatic experiences of their communities. The book is a rich visual feast that honors Pacific Northwest Indigenous life and celebrates the wisdom of Indigenous elders, cultures, and languages. Overall, Jesintel is an insightful and generous gift to anyone who wants to learn more about the Coast Salish people and their territories.

An extraordinary illustrated biography of John Linklater, a renowned game warden and skilled woodsman of Anishinaabeg, Cree, and Scottish ancestry, and his wife, Tchi-Ki-Wis, an extraordinary craftswoman of the Lac La Croix First Nation. Making the Carry traces their life navigating great changes in the Quetico-Superior region along the U.S.-Canada border in the early twentieth century. Complete with rarely seen photographs, the book provides an intimate portrait of Métis people. The book is a must-read for those interested in Native American & Aboriginal Biographies Books.

The book "Ada Blackjack: A True Story of Survival in the Arctic" written by Jennifer Niven tells the remarkable true story of Ada Blackjack, an Inuit woman who survived six months alone on a desolate Arctic island. After venturing into the Arctic with four young men in a secret attempt to colonize desolate Wrangel Island for Great Britain, Ada Blackjack emerged as the sole survivor of this ambitious polar expedition. Niven has created an absorbing and compelling history of this remarkable woman, taking full advantage of the wealth of first-hand resources about Ada that exist. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in tales of survival and adventure.

A History of My Brief Body is a collection of essays and vignettes on grief, colonial violence, joy, love, and queerness. Billy-Ray Belcourt's debut memoir is a poignant meditation on memory, gender, anger, shame, and ecstasy. He situates his life experiences within a constellation of seminal queer texts, among which this book is sure to earn its place. Belcourt's writing is honest and assured, and his storytelling is both devastating and consoling. This book is a must-read for fans of Ocean Vuong and Maggie Nelson and anyone seeking to reconcile the world they were born into with the world that could be.

"Kateri Tekakwitha, The Iroquois Saint" by Arx Publishing is an inspiring biography of the first Native American woman to be recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. The book is based on the account of Father Pierre Cholonec, who knew Kateri Tekakwitha personally and wrote her biography in 1696. The book also includes Father Cholonec's moving account of the Iroquois martyrs, who chose to die rather than give up their faith. The antique illustrations add to the book's charm and make it accessible to a wider audience. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the lives of Christian saints and Native American history."

"A Mind Spread Out on the Ground" is a powerful memoir that explores the ongoing effects of personal, intergenerational, and colonial traumas experienced by Native people. Alicia Elliott's deeply personal writing details a life spent between Indigenous and white communities, engaging with wide-ranging topics such as race, parenthood, love, art, mental illness, poverty, sexual assault, gentrification, and representation. Her magnetic writing and keen sense of self guides her and the reader through moments that are terrible, wonderful, and ultimately unforgettable. This updated and expanded American edition helps us better understand legacy, oppression, and racism throughout North America, and offers us a profound new way to decolonize our minds.

The book, Grass Beyond the Mountains, is the first installment of a trilogy that tells the story of three cowboys who journeyed from Wyoming to British Columbia's uncharted territory in the fall of 1934. Richmond Hobson's writing style is both humorous and captivating, bringing to life the challenges and adventures faced by the trio as they attempted to establish a cattle ranch in the unforgiving landscape. The book is a gritty and entertaining read that will fascinate both city and country dwellers. Overall, Grass Beyond the Mountains is a unique and thrilling historical biography that is a must-read for anyone interested in North America's western frontier.

The Truth About Stories by Thomas King is a captivating exploration of the Native North American experience through the lens of storytelling. King delves into the power of stories to shape our identities and relationships with others, from creation myths to contemporary Native literature. He also examines the danger of stories, particularly racist propaganda, and the responsibility that comes with storytelling. With wit and wisdom, King weaves personal anecdotes with a broader discussion of Native culture. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Native American history and literature.