Joanne Robertson

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Joanne Robertson
Misko Anungo Kwe (Red Star Woman)
Alma mater Algoma University
OccupationAuthor
Notable workThe Water Walker (2017)

Joanne Robertson, also known as Misko Anungo Kwe or Red Star Woman is a Canadian author, illustrator, and water protection activist. Joanne is a member of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and is of the Bald Eagle clan.

Contents

Education and career

Robertson graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Algoma University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. [1]

During her time as a student, Robertson started an environmental project known as The Empty Glass for Water Campaign. The campaign began as a response to the drinking water crisis facing First Nations communities in the spring of 2009. [2] The Campaign has a two-step action, one involving participants mailing an empty glass of water to the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper with a letter outlining the need for action and the other focusing on the connection between prayer and water protection. [3] She produced a short film about the Campaign called Glass Action. [2]

In 2011, Robertson produced the Paquataskimik is Home film as part of the Paquataskimik Project created by the NORDIK Institute. The film documented traditional Indigenous life along the Albany River. [4]

Robertson is currently a walk coordinator for the Mother Earth Water Walkers and has written a children's book about the organization's founder, Josephine Mandamin. [5] She is also currently involved with the ArtSpeaks Project, a Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario initiative which utilizes an arts-based practice to work with trauma survivors. [6]

Literary works

The Water Walker

Robertson released a children's book in September 2017 titled The Water Walker published by Second Story Press. The book follows the journey of Josephine Mandamin to protect Nibi (water). The book includes an Ojibwe vocabulary and pronunciation page to help readers contextualize the Anishinaabe worldview. Robertson both wrote and illustrated the book. [7] She began writing the book after coordinating the four directions walk in 2011 and meeting Josephine. The book was originally an entry into an indigenous writers competition that Robertson did not win, however the company was impressed and still offered her a publishing contract. [8] Robertson has noted that the book's purpose is to continue spreading Josephine's message after she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and unable to continue with future water walks. [8] In September 2019 a dual language edition of The Water Walker was published, with translation into Ojibwe done by Shirley Williams and Isadore Toulouse. [9]

Awards for The Water Walker

  • Finalist, Most Significant Work of Prose in English by an Emerging Indigenous Writer, Indigenous Voices Awards (2019). [10]
  • Indigenous Literature Award, Periodical Marketers of Canada and First Nation Communities Read (2018). [11]
  • Short listed, Most Significant Work of Prose in English by an Emerging Indigenous Writer, Indigenous Voices Awards (2018). [12]
  • Ontario Library Association, Best Bets in the Junior Non-Fiction category (2018). [13]
  • Listed on the Quill & Quire Books of the Year List, Bookseller's kidlit, selected by A Different Booklist (2017) [14]

Nibi Is Water and Water Is Life

In 2020 Robertson published Nibi Is Water and Water Is Life with Second Story Press. This board book, aimed at young children is in both English and Anishinaabemowin [15] The book talks about the ways children use and interact with water.

Recognition for Nibi Is Water

  • Commended, TD Summer Reading Club - Top Recommended Reads (2021) [16]
  • Commended, The Educator’s Playbook list of Best Books for Young Readers (2020) [16]
  • Commended, American Indians in Children's Literature's Best Books of the Year (2020) [17]
  • Commended, CBC - Best Books for Kids and Teens (2020) [18]

Shirley :An Indian Residential School Story

Forthcoming in 2026, Shirley: An Indian Residential School Story is a collaboration between Robertson and Shirley Fletcher Horn. Published by Second Story Press, this children's book documents Horn's experiences at the St. John's Indian Residential School and the Shingwauk Indian Residential School. [19]

References

  1. ↑ "Joanne Robertson". thewordonthestreet.ca. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  2. 1 2 Brown, Lynne. "'The Water Walker'. A Book inspired by Nibi | SaultOnline.com". saultonline.com. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  3. ↑ "Take Action « EG4W – Empty Glass For Water". www.emptyglassforwater.ca. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  4. ↑ ""Paquataskamik is Home" Debuts in Timmins". NationTalk. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  5. ↑ "Local author wins Indigenous Literature Award". SooToday.com. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  6. ↑ "About". The ArtSpeaks Project. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  7. ↑ "New Indigenous children's book teaches kids about the importance of clean water | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  8. 1 2 "New Indigenous children's book teaches kids about the importance of clean water". CBC News. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  9. ↑ "Nibi Emosaawdang / The Water Walker". Second Story Press. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  10. ↑ "Indigenous Voices Awards Winners". Indigenous Literary Studies Association. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  11. ↑ "Tanya Talaga, Joanne Robertson win Indigenous Literature Award | Quill and Quire". Quill and Quire. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  12. ↑ "Indigenous Voices Awards, which recognize emerging Indigenous writers, reveal 2018 finalists | CBC Books". CBC. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  13. ↑ "The Water Walker". Second Story Press. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  14. ↑ "2017 Books of the Year: Librarians', book bloggers', and booksellers' kidlit and YA picks | Quill and Quire". Quill and Quire. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  15. ↑ "#ColorLinesReads: 28 Books We're Excited for This Spring". www.ColorLines.com. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  16. 1 2 "Nibi is Water". Second Story Press. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  17. ↑ Reese, Debbie (18 February 2020). "Recommended! nibi is water; nibi aawon nbiish, by Joanne Robertson; translated by Shirley Williams and Isadore Toulouse". American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL). Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  18. ↑ CBC Books. "20 books for kids and teens to read for National Indigenous History Month".
  19. ↑ "Shirley". Second Story Press. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
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