The Peacemaker: Thanadelthur

Tales from Big Spirit

by David Alexander Robertson, Wai Tien (Illustrator)

When Cole's teacher catches him drawing rather than listening in class, he gives Cole a special assignment: an oral presentation on an important Aboriginal figure. Cole will do almost anything to avoid speaking in public -- even feigning illness. But when he hears the story of the remarkable woman known as Thanadelthur -- peacemaker between the Cree and the Dene and interpreter for the governor of Fort York -- he is so inspired by her bravery, he overcomes his own fears.
Tales from Big Spirit is a unique graphic novel series that delves into the stories of great Indigenous heroes from Canadian history -- some already well known and others who deserve to be.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Indigenous, History, Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir, Canada

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

DAVID A. ROBERTSON is a two-time winner of the Governor General's Literary Award, has won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, as well as the Writer's Union of Canada Freedom to Read award. He has received several other accolades for his work as a writer for children and adults, podcaster, public speaker, and social advocate. He was honoured with a Doctor of Letters by the University of Manitoba for outstanding contributions in the arts and distinguished achievements in 2023. He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that this series was a very creative and interesting way to present history. As an adult, I didn't need the framing device of the modern youth at the beginning and end, but I can see why that would appeal to the target audience. Very well done!

[Kristal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story; I've never heard of Thanadelthur nor the rivalry between the Dene and Cree peoples. Really interesting how people banded together to better themselves and bring peace.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wished it was longer

[Ricki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading graphic novels with intent to share with my kids. This one has:
-Good full-color art
-Excellent true story of female Indigenous hero
-Only downside is that it's pretty thin for the price. There are several "Tales from Big Spirit" and they're all the size of a regular thin comic book and around $16 apiece. I wish they would be collected as a big graphic novel!

Maybe I'll give this to my kids when they're 9-12.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first I've ever read about Thanadelthur, but it definitely makes me curious about her life. The story here is interesting, well told, and well-illustrated.

I'm glad I read this, I look forward to continuing the series, and I definitely recommend the series and this book to anyone looking for a basic introduction of significant figures in indigenous history.

[Karl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The more I read this series the less I like it. The art is mostly great but I think it was a mistake to frame the plot with these teen crisis pieces that lead to dreams which lead to being transported back to historical time and place for a biographical treatment of an indigenous hero. It’s just kind of hokey in my opinion.

[VMC Library]

Sommaire:
"Quand Cole se fait prendre à dessiner en classe, son enseignant décide de lui imposer un travail supplémentaire : il aura à faire une présentation orale sur une figure marquante de l'histoire autochtone. Cole est prêt à tout pour éviter de parler devant la classe, même à feindre d'être malade, jusqu'à ce qu'il découvre l'histoire exceptionnelle de Thanadelthur, ambassadrice de la paix entre les Cris et les Dénés et interprète du gouverneur de Fort York. Inspiré par son courage, il surmonte ses craintes. NATION BIG SPIRIT : D'HIER À AUJOURD'HUI est une série unique de sept bandes dessinées qui plonge les lecteurs au coeur de l'histoire canadienne en s'intéressant à des figures autochtones marquantes, parfois méconnues"--Couverture.