‘I’m just proud.’ These Tłı̨chǫ teenagers are publishing books

After years of work, Leora Rabesca and Chace Mantla – Grade 12 students at Chief Jimmy Bruneau School in Behchokǫ̀ – are becoming published authors.

Rabesca and Mantla launched their children’s books with an event in the community on Tuesday.

The books, published by Northern Quill Publishing, are the result of creative writing workshops held in partnership with the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency in 2024.

Written in Tłı̨chǫ and English, they were illustrated by Tłı̨chǫ artist Sadetło Scott with translation by Mary Siemens.

“It was a book I actually made and it looked really beautiful,” said Mantla. “I’m just proud.”

“When I first held the book in my hands, I felt like I was about to cry,” said Rabesca. “After I left the office with the book in hand, I just couldn’t help myself.”

Rabesca’s book, Different, follows a young student who struggles to fit in. Eventually, she learns that being yourself is more than enough.

“The whole book was inspired by my childhood,” she told Cabin Radio.

“When I was younger, I didn’t have many friends, so I created this book to spread a message about being different. It shouldn’t make you feel sad about it.”

Mantla’s book, A Dog’s Adventure, is based on his dog, Jack, who explores the community of Behchokǫ̀ and the landscape.

“I thought a kids’ book would be nice to make because I still love reading kids’ books sometimes with my sisters, and I just thought of my dog Jack,” he said.

“I thought my sisters would love to read it, so I just wrote about Jack and how much he likes to run away.”

‘I’d love to make more’

Keri Peach, a literacy coordinator and coach at the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency, paid tribute to the young authors and her predecessor in the role, Annette Stehouwer.

“She started the conversation. She got these guys” – Northern Quill Publishing – “to come and talk to the students about how books are published, and they created this project,” said Peach.

According to Peach, six students started the process in 2024. Mantla and Rabesca “stuck it out to the end.”

Mantla is looking at attending trade school after he graduates. Rabesca said she is interested in 3D animation.

Rabesca described pride at her mom’s reaction – her mom excitedly read the book aloud in front of her when she brought it home. Mantla said his family “called me famous and they just kept asking for my autograph.”

“I already have plans for new books since I wrote this,” he said. “I’d love to make more.”

“We don’t give kids enough credit to be able to put in this kind of hard work and get it done,” said Peach.

“I’ve watched these two over the past two years take it so seriously, and I’m so happy to see their perseverance to go through with this.”