Surviving the City. Vol. 2, From the Roots Up

When Dez’ grandmother dies, Dez is placed in a group home and has trouble adjusting to the new situation. At the same time Dez is finding their way in a new relationship with their girlfriend and discovering what it means to be Two-Spirit within their culture and friend group. They learn about self-advocacy when they confront traditional views of gender roles and cultural practices at the school’s Indigenous youth group. This rich graphic novel explores issues facing many Indigenous youth in Canada, including sexual orientation, gender identity, the foster care system, and the impact of colonialism. Suitable as a class read-aloud, a text to explore Indigenous culture, and for independent reading.