Survivor-Centred Visual Narratives (SCVN) proudly announces a significant milestone in the project: the signing of a publishing deal with Swift Water Books for Indians Do Cry: A Father-Son Hockey Story. The graphic novel has come out of a partnership between Anishinaabe journalist Duncan McCue and acclaimed artist Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, in collaboration with residential school survivor George Kenny and his son Mike Auksi.
This powerful narrative, part of SCVN’s Turtle Island Research Cluster, tells the true story of George and his son Mike, members of the Lac Seul First Nation, and their journey of healing through the lens of hockey and the intergenerational impacts of Indian residential schools.
Two Pages from Indians Do Cry, image credit: Joshua Mageshig Pawis-Steckley.
Indians Do Cry is set for release in Fall 2027. The book explores the profound effects of residential school on George, who was taken from his family at age seven to attend Pelican Lake Indian Residential School in northern Ontario. Hockey became his refuge during those challenging years, offering an outlet for his endurance and spirit. His son Mike faced the ripple effects of intergenerational trauma but found strength in his own hockey journey, eventually playing for the Estonian national team and pursuing a doctoral degree at McGill University. Through their father-son relationship, Indians Do Cry weaves a story of survivance and reconciliation, framed as a sports memoir to resonate with Canada’s hockey-loving audience.
Funded in part by a $57,900 Canada Council for the Arts grant, the project has expanded to over 140 pages, allowing Duncan and Mangeshig to deepen their storytelling through extensive research, interviews, and artwork.
Duncan, known for his work as a CBC journalist and storyteller, began researching the project in Winter 2023, collaborating closely with George and Mike to ensure a survivor-centered approach. “This story is about more than hockey—it’s about survival, healing, and the strength of family ties,” Duncan said. “I’m grateful to partner with Mangeshig and Swift Water Books to share this journey with readers.”
George Kenny, preliminary drawing by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, December 2024.
Mangeshig, whose vibrant illustrations have earned accolades in children’s literature, including the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award, brings his distinctive Woodland art style to the project. “Illustrating Indians Do Cry is a deeply personal endeavor,” Mangeshig said. “I’m excited to work with Duncan to visually capture this story of hockey and hope, rooted in our Anishinaabe heritage.”
“Swift Water Books is excited and proud to be publishing this important work,” said David Robertson, an award-winning Cree author and editorial director of Swift Water Books. “Carrying power in its storytelling, in both the realities of intergenerational trauma and the path to healing, Indians Do Cry embodies the spirit that Swift Water strives to share with readers across Turtle Island.”
Swift Water Books, launched in February 2025 under the leadership of Robertson, is dedicated to publishing works by Indigenous writers and illustrators. Indians Do Cry joins a slate of highly anticipated titles set to debut in Spring 2026, reinforcing the imprint’s commitment to sharing authentic Indigenous stories with young readers and beyond.
Dr. Charlotte Schallié, director of the SCVN project, added that “this publishing agreement with Swift Water Books ensures George and Mike’s story will reach a wide audience, fostering empathy and understanding about the impacts of residential schools.”
As this landmark production continues, SCVN invites readers to follow updates on the Turtle Island Research Cluster page.
About Swift Water Books
Swift Water Books, an imprint of Tundra Book Group at Penguin Random House Canada, is dedicated to publishing children’s books by Indigenous writers and illustrators. Led by acclaimed author David A. Robertson, the imprint aims to share stories that foster healing, cultural revitalization, and connection for readers of all ages across Turtle Island.
About the Authors
Duncan McCue is an Anishinaabe journalist, professor at Carleton University, and co-lead of the Turtle Island Research Cluster. He is the recipient of a Canada Council for the Arts grant for Indians Do Cry.
Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley is an Anishinaabe multi-disciplinary artist and member of Wasauksing First Nation. His award-winning illustrations, rooted in the Woodland art style, have appeared in numerous acclaimed children’s books, including Mii maanda ezhi-gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know and Boozhoo! / Hello!.
George Kenny is an Anishinaabe poet and playwright from the Lac Seul First Nation who learned traditional ways from his parents before being sent to residential school in 1958. George’s first book, Indians Don’t Cry, was published in 1982, and has been hailed as a landmark in Indigenous literature. He is also a former journalist and editor at Wawatay News. George lives in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Mike Auksi is a doctoral candidate at McGill University’s Department of Kinesiology and Physical Health. His study on ice hockey in his home community of Lac Seul First Nation is a perfect complement to the graphic novel, Indians Do Cry. Mike also works as a research assistant with the Turtle Island Research Cluster.
