Maakusie Loves Music is a contemporary and fictional story written by a husband and wife and indie rock duo (Twin Flames), Jaaji (Inuit/Mohawk heritage) and Chelsey (Algonquin, Métis, Cree, and Settler heritage), and illustrated by Tamara Campeau. It follows Maakusie, an Inuk girl from the Arctic, and her exploration of Inuit music and instruments throughout the ages. The authors' intention in writing this children's book is to support literacy development while teaching children about Inuit, Traditions, and the environment. From start to finish, we see traditional Inuit music evolve over time and arrive at more modern and contemporary practices of the traditional way, emphasizing communication, understanding, and connection. The goal is to celebrate Inuit music as it is today, with nods to the past and how it has changed. At the end of the book is a glossary of Inuit words with definitions and romanized pronunciations.

Cautions / Content Warnings: Mentions Missionaries in a fundamental sense.
Other End Matter: Glossary/Pronunciation guide
Images: Colour illustrations
Contributor Affiliation: Authors Jaaji (Inuit, Mohawk), Chelsey June (Algonquin, Cree), Illustrator Tamara Campeau
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - Indigenous Books for Schools

Chelsey June, métis (Algonquin Cree heritage) from Ottawa, and Jaaji, Inuk and Mohawk from Nunavik and Kahnawake, are part of an Indigenous renaissance. Together, they are the music duo Twin Flames. Their cultural backgrounds span Canada’s geography and their songs, delivered through a mix of English, French and Inuktitut, have helped them earn a unique place among contemporary music makers from coast to coast. Their humour on stage is often unexpected and a welcome comedic relief when discussing darker issues, combined with impeccable storytelling Twin Flames allows audiences to feel a truly human connection.

Chelsey June and Jaaji (Twin Flames)'s profile page

Tamara Campeau’s illustration journey began at Dawson College, where she earned her associate degree in illustration and design. Shortly after, she furthered her studies at Sheridan College, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in illustration with honours. Tamara works digitally to bring stories to life through her painterly illustrations. Her work has a strong sense of lighting and vibrant colour palettes, along with dynamic compositions. She loves creating endearing characters with a strong sense of personality and emotion. Her work is inspired by wildlife, children, and the environments they reside in. She uses this inspiration to add a layer of realism to her illustrations. When she’s not at her desk, she can be found breaking a sweat at the local gym or exploring nature with her standard poodle, Peanut.

Tamara Campeau's profile page

• Long-listed, First Nations Communities READ

Jaaji, who is Inuk and Mohawk, and June, who is Métis—both musicians who perform together as Canadian indie rock duo Twin Flames—frame this history of music in the Arctic via Inuk child narrator Maakusie. Underlining the way music in the arctic regions has changed quickly, the child discusses how their anaanatsiak was raised with traditional Inuit music, including katajjaniq (throat singing), ajaja (songs about hunting and community life), and playing the qanirvalauti (jaw harp). Beats next highlight how settlers and, later, new technology changed the music in each region. Foregrounding landscapes and figures, Campeau’s illustrations add vibrancy to the text’s educational lean, which incorporates an English translation and pronunciation guide for italicized Inuttitut words on each page.

The authors' intention in writing this children's book is to support literacy development while teaching children about Inuit, Traditions, and the environment. From start to finish, we see traditional Inuit music evolve over time and arrive at more modern and contemporary practices of the traditional way, emphasizing communication, understanding, and connection. The goal is to celebrate Inuit music as it is today, with nods to the past and how it has changed.

Books BC - Indigenous Books for Schools