nicole marie burton – illustratör

A great read and teaching tool for National Indigenous History Month!“Your ancestors have called us to help you.”“I think y'all have the wrong number.”Damon Quinn just wants to get through his senior year unscathed. His mom struggles with alcohol and is barely coping with the day-to-day. Marcus and his cronies at school are forever causing Damon trouble. The new girl, Journey, won't mind her own business. To make matters worse, now a mysterious crow is following him everywhere. After he is seized by a waking dream in the middle of a busy street, Damon is forced to confront his mom with some hard questions: Why haven't I met my dad? Where did we come from? Who am I?Damon must look within himself, mend the bond with his mother, and rely on new friends to find the answers he so desperately needs. Travelling through time and space, Damon will have to go back before he can move forward.

Uncover family secrets and ancestral history in Visions From the Fire, the powerful second volume of the acclaimed Dreams Series graphic novels by Cree author Wanda John-Kehewin.Blending contemporary mystery with deep-rooted Indigenous spirituality, this young adult graphic novel features evocative illustrations by nicole marie burton, offering grounded, inclusive representation of contemporary First Nations experiences.A bear and her cub, a strange silver ring, and an ancestor from long ago… Join Damon Quinn, a young Plains Cree man, as he unravels these mysteries through an unexpected vision quest. Things have finally started looking up for Damon—he’s graduated high school, saved enough money to buy his first car, and he and Journey are growing closer.Ready for an adventure, Damon, his mom Marnie, and Journey take a summer road trip to Kehewin Cree Nation to attend a Sweat Lodge ceremony and a Powwow, reconnecting with their roots and the beauty of their shared culture. But when Damon stumbles into a vision quest, he discovers a past his mother would prefer remained hidden—and tensions rise further as he makes plans to meet his estranged father.Grounded in real-world themes, this propulsive story serves as a profound testament to Cree community and ancestral connection.Critical themes: Explores complex mental health struggles facing Indigenous youth, detailing the lasting impacts of colonialism, intergenerational trauma, and community healing.Cultural practice focus: Features authentic depictions of traditional ceremonies, and community connections.Curriculum fit: Ideal for high school English Language Arts and Indigenous Studies classrooms (Grades 9–12).