We Are Who We Are: An Ode to Indigenous Heroes Past and Present

A companion to the bestselling Go Show the World, this joyful picture book once again celebrates the lives and legacies of 13 remarkable Indigenous heroes, past and present.
At its heart is a powerful affirmation: we are who we are – and there is strength in that. Author Wab Kinew builds on the essential message of his earlier work, honouring individuals whose courage, creativity, and perseverance helped shape their communities and the world, while paving the way for future generations to live authentically.

Through accessible, lyrical text, Kinew highlights how the struggles and successes of these Indigenous changemakers continue to resonate with today’s youth. The book introduces readers to a diverse group of trailblazers, including aerospace engineer Mary Golda Ross, interpreter and fur trader George Bonga, acclaimed actor Chief Dan George, and author and educator Tasha Spillett. Each profile reveals how these figures embraced who they were, challenged limitations, and left a lasting impact.

Brought vividly to life by Janine Gibbons’s luminous illustrations, the book balances history and inspiration, inviting young readers to see themselves reflected in stories of resilience and possibility. Together, the text and artwork reinforce a message of pride, identity, and belonging.
Uplifting and empowering, this companion volume encourages children to recognize the strength in their own identities and to understand how those who came before them helped keep the path open – so they, too, can be fully and unapologetically themselves.

About the Author
Wab Kinew is a bestselling, award-winning author of An Anishinaabe Christmas, a member of the Midewin and an Honorary Witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and the 25th premier of Manitoba. He brings a powerful, authentic voice to contemporary Indigenous storytelling. A former journalist, hip-hop artist, and television host, Kinew was named by Postmedia News as one of “9 Aboriginal Movers and Shakers You Should Know.” He lives in Winnipeg with his family.

Just the Facts

We Are Who We Are By Wab Kinew & Illustrated by Janine Gibbons
Published by Tundra Books
Suitable for ages 5-9
40 pages | $24.99 Hardcover
Available on amazon.ca and Indigo/Chapters
Released on February 17, 2026

Other books by Wab Kinew

Go Show the World

The Everlasting Road

Walking in Two Worlds

The Reason You Walk

An Anishinaabe Christmas