Local Indigenous author’s new children’s book to teaches identity and cultural belonging

Indigenous children’s author S.P. Joseph Lyons and Indigenous educator Patsy Day at the Winter Solstice Celebration at Riverwalk Commons on Dec. 21.

By Alex Hunt

Through writing and storytelling, Indigenous educator Patsy Day and author S.P. Joseph Lyons are shaping how Indigenous youth see themselves and their communities.

A Winter Solstice Celebration was held at Riverwalk Commons on Dec. 21, 2025. The event focused on welcoming winter and included a presentation by Lyons on his new children’s book, Turtle Hatchling Belongs.

A local Oneida Nation educator, elder and Kaswentha Two Row Now co-chair, Day was also in attendance to honour winter’s arrival and support Lyons’ book.

Lyons, a member of the Anishinaabe Nation, said Turtle Hatchling Belongs is a book about discovering a sense of belonging, and is dedicated to Indigenous and non-Indigenous children in foster care.

“There are many Indigenous children in the foster-care system,” said Lyons. “Having been one of them myself, I decided to write books for those children going through the same experiences as I did. These children don’t often have a voice or an advocate.

“The idea is that Turtle Hatchling is born unsure of where she belongs or where she is meant to go. Guided by Grandmother Moon, she begins her journey toward the water. Along the way, she is distracted by a curious raccoon, the crab family and the seagull family, but Grandmother Moon continues to light her path. As Turtle Hatchling is trying to figure out where she belongs, she realizes that all of those answers were within her all along.”

Lyons said the book is meant to encourage children to pursue a journey of self-discovery and understand they do belong. Lyons frequently speaks at schools, universities and colleges, sharing his story, from his grandfather’s experience in a residential school to his own personal journey.

Day said according to the co-founder of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, Cindy Blackstock, there are 165,000 Indigenous children in foster care.

“There are now more Indigenous children in foster care than there were in the residential schools,” said Day. “I see communities working hard to find foster homes within their own Nations to care for these children, and I know this all ties back to the effects of intergenerational trauma.”

Day explained there is a lack of education on how intergenerational trauma has travelled through generations.

“Our people endured 150 years of this, and I know it will take another 150 years, and better education, to help the whole country reach a deeper understanding.”

Kaswentha Two Row Now is a local group comprising Indigenous educators and advocates. Two Row Now focuses on providing cultural programs for Indigenous students, families, and foster children.

“We do many events around the community, one of which is participating in the Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women,” said Day. “We acknowledge those who have suffered and gone missing. We made cardstock red dresses with facts and statistics about the issue written on them and walked down the street to help raise awareness.”

Turtle Hatchling Belongs is available on GoodMinds.com and at Betty’s Bookshelf in St. Marys.