You Were Made for This World: Celebrated Indigenous Voices Speak to Young People

by Stephanie Sinclair (Editor), Sara Sinclair

A joyful, proud and groundbreaking collection of letters and art for young people, You Were Made for This World brings together celebrated Indigenous voices from across Turtle Island.

Every young person deserves the chance to feel like they belong, that they are recognized, that they matter. In the spirit of A Velocity of Letters to a Young Reader, You Were Made for This World brings together forty Indigenous writers, artists, activists, athletes, scholars and thinkers with a joint to celebrate the potential of young people, to share a sense of joy and pride in language, traditional and personal stories and teachings, and shared experiences, and to honor young people for who they are and what they dream of.

Including contributions from activist Autumn Peltier, singer/songwriter Tanya Tagaq, hockey player Ethan Bear, Governor General's Award–winning author David A. Robertson, Manitoba premier Wab Kinew, artists Chief Lady Bird and Christi Belcourt, illustrator Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, and dozens of others, this beautifully collaborative collection urges readers to think about who they are, where they come from and where they're going, with a warm familiarity that will inspire you to see yourself and your community with proud eyes.

Also includes a ribbon bookmark.

Genres: Indigenous, Nonfiction, Native American

120 pages, Hardcover

Published July 29, 2025

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful book. Anthology of letters from indigenous authors, each paired with full page illustrations by indigenous artists.

Structured as a medicine bundle, with each letter representing a traditional medicine – water, tobacco, cedar, sweet grass or sage.

A few of my favourites ...
Warren Cariou's letter to his great grandmother
Cherie Dimaline's letter to her younger self.
Monique Gray Smith's letter to her great grandchildren
Jesse Wente's letter to future relations

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so powerful

[Barb reads......it ALL! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-Fiction November '25 - Book 4

A wonderful collection of stories, prayers, musings that speak to all young people. They talk of the old ways, it's a collection of beautiful art.

[Pat Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

“To feel healed, a person needs to feel heard,” (pp. 12-13) write Stephanie and Sara Sinclair, in sharing how they came to edit this collection or writing and art from forty indigenous creators. The offspring of German-Jewish refugees on their mom’s side and survivors of Indian residential schools on their dad’s side, they divulge the difference between the acknowledged Holocaust horrors and the hidden horrors their grandfather faced in silence. Made to feel shame for being Indian at the Indian residential schools, their grandfather didn’t tell his own sons they were indigenous. Such was the editors’ personal story that led them to create this book. The foreword by Mazina Giizhik-Iban (Murray Sinclair), the editors’ uncle, ushers readers into the volume with a singularly telling story about diversity, Because he was Anishinaabe, he was raised to feel like an Ugly Duckling that didn’t belong. Despite a successful career in law, he had had to learn he “was always a beautiful swan” (p. 20).
A chorus of voices offers soothing words, advice, stories, and more to trigger conversations about Indigenous history. Standout passages include Zoe Todd’s story about how places “will hold you even when you have moved far away from them” (p. 37), Warren Cariou’s letter that introduces Cree kinship terms in admiration for all his ancestors endured, Cherie Dimaline’s and Cynthia Leitich Smith’s pieces about storytelling, and Monique Gray Smith’s poetic offering. Utilizing various art styles, particularly moving, standout art includes Jessie Boulard, Christi Belcourt, Bryce Many Fingers/Singer, Alanah Astehtsi’ Otsistohkwa’ (Morningstar) Jewel, and George Littlechild.
Vibrant stunning art and meaningful messages will be particularly resonant for an indigenous audience, but the volume is a must-buy for all library collections. Anyone who has felt different or left out for any reason will find insight and solace in both words and art.

[Keilah Villa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You Were Made for This World" is absolutely beautiful from the front cover to the last word. When I read indigenous works like these, I often see anger and hatred as the underlying emotions. In this anthology, the underlying emotion is hope. I love this. I'm not indigenous, but I married into an indigenous family, and I'm the library director at an indigenous college. I want to see more indigenous books like this to encourage my family and students. My favorite line was: "For much of my life, I waited for change. You are the change." This book is definitely a keeper. Thank you, Tundra Books! #ReadTundra

[Julia O'Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful art alongside heartfelt advice.
I’m not sure which came first, the writing or the art. They are paired so well together and each enhances the story the other tells.

One piece that stands out for me is by Zoe Todd who writes about holding the places you call home in your heart.
“There are places that will hold you even when you have moved far away from them…I will leave you with one final thought: What places do you carry with you?”
and
Monique Gray Smith writes as an ancestor to her descendants:
“I am here when you look back.
You are there when I look forward.
I am the sunset.
You are the sunrise.
I am the winter.
You are spring.”

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of letters to descendants and to younger selves written by indigenous authors and illustrated by indigenous artists is a stunning work. Even letters written to a general generation are tender and encouraging. Each letter is a tiny gem imbued with wisdom and generosity. The artwork spans many styles with one common trait--beauty.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand this disappointing. Granted, I’m not the target audience but I don’t see any of my students choosing to read this. The letters/essays seemed rather generic. The art is beautiful. I can see a teacher using a segment of this book but I don’t see it appealing to many kids.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of letters by celebrated indigenous authors (paired with beautiful art pieces) and curated like a medicine bundle - this speaks to indigenous youth about the world and belonging.

[Kim Trusty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, heartbreaking, hopeful and necessary.

[Vicki Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be in the hands of every young person. Love these messages!

[Alina · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful words, beautiful art :)

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art and meaningful experiences bring indigenous stories to our attention and to the current day. Far more than factual text, art and stories make this book feel immediate and important.