Media and Talks

  • Jenny Kay Dupuis’ “Heart Berry Bling” conjures the beauty of family and the injustice of the Indian Act. SesaysArts Magazine.

…The result is a beautifully illustrated tale in which children learn about the tradition of Anishinaabe beadwork, “strawberry teachings” and gender discrimination in the Indian Act. Yes, Heart Berry Bling is a story about discrimination and racism, but it is also a universally relatable story about the relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter and the resilience found in shared heritage. And Dupuis hopes that young readers “will recognize the value of connections and the lessons about taking care of oneself and others that have been shared”. She also notes that “the addition of the strawberry, or heart berry teachings, was crucial to the story, particularly when it comes to Granny’s efforts to move past her painful history and discover coping strategies, so she might discover (or experience) Indigenous joy.”… Read the full article here.

  • Jenny Kay Dupuis celebrates Indigenous joy with new book. Anishinabek News.

The new book, Heart Berry Bling, teaches Indigenous realities and culture while warming the human heart.

Jenny Kay Dupuis brings her new children’s book to life, written with 6 to 8-year-olds in mind. Anyone of any age will feel the joy in the relationship of Maggie and Granny, as Maggie learns to bead.

An influential Indigenous author, Jenny Kay Dupuis of Nipissing First Nation, shows sensitivity to Indigenous trauma, involving the principle of ‘do no more harm’, according to the Elements of Indigenous Style Guide. In conversation, Dupuis talked about spaces she entered in, both in school and in public libraries, when she was growing up as a kid… Read more here.

  • First Nations artist designs mural to be featured on NBA restaurant. Windspeaker.

…Dupuis was chosen to design an outdoor mural for the NBA Courtside Restaurant, a 10,000-square foot facility that will open in downtown Toronto… Read more here.

  • New book announcement: Heart Berry Bling. Anishinabek News.

…In this beautifully illustrated book, children learn about the tradition of Anishinaabe beadwork, strawberry teachings, and gender discrimination in the Indian Act… Read the full article here.

  • A Continued Conversation on Residential Schools – Art Gallery of Ontario.  Join Audrey Hudson, Richard & Elizabeth Currie, Chief of Education & Programming, in conversation with Robert Durocher (Vice-Principal) and Jenny Kay Dupuis (Author). The discussion will be centred on how to talk about residential schools and available resources within the AGO’s collection. This discussion is for students, teachers, parents and anyone who wants to begin having these culturally safe conversations. Watch the full panel discussion here.
  • WOTS Toronto Presents – Decolonizing Children’s Literature (The Word On The Street Toronto). Children’s authors Jenny Kay Dupuis (I Am Not a Number), Christy Jordan-Fenton (Fatty Legs), and Rebecca Thomas (I’m Finding My Talk) discuss writing that confronts colonial oppression and empowers young readers to imagine better futures. Watch the full interview here.

  • Jenny Kay Dupuis wanted her book to be available in the language her grandmother was punished for speaking. CBC Unreserved

When Nipissing author Jenny Kay Dupuis co-wrote I Am Not a Number, she knew that she wanted to have it translated into the Nbising dialect of Nishnaabemwin, the language that her grandmother was forbidden to speak at residential school. Read the full interview here.

  • “I Am Not a Number’ a harsher truth in Nishnaabemwin. Anishinabek News.

There was standing room only at Nipissing University to hear Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis’ talk, Acknowledging the Truth, Reconciling the Past, and Honouring Community Voices. About 200 students, faculty, staff, and community members listened as Dr. Dupuis discussed the writing of a successful children’s book, I Am Not a Number. Read more here.

  • What is one book your generation should read? 12 kids from Canada’s Smartest Person Junior share their picks. CBC.   

… Our generation is inspired to look into the future, but we should never forget the past. This book is not that long, but it still makes us understand how First Nations children were treated back then. That is why I think this is a meaningful book for my entire generation to read. Read more here.

  • Author and Educator, Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis on New Book, I Am Not a Number. Muskrat Magazine. 

MUSKRAT Magazine’s Akeesha Footman interviewed esteemed researcher, teacher, artist and author Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis, about her new book, I Am Not A Number. Dr. Dupuis along with co-author Kathy Kacer, crafted a powerful book based on the life of Dupuis’ grandmother. The story brings to light a terrible part of Canada’s history in a way children can learn from and relate to. Also included is Dr. Dupuis’ recommended online resources for anyone who wants to learn more about Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Read more here.

  • Jenny Kay Dupuis wanted her book to be available in the language her grandmother was punished for speaking. CBC Unreserved.

 When Nipissing author Jenny Kay Dupuis co-wrote I Am Not a Number, she knew that she wanted to have it translated into the Nbising dialect of Nishnaabemwin, the language that her grandmother was forbidden to speak at residential school. Listen to the full interview here.

  • Teaching Difficult Topics. Native America Calling.

When is it appropriate to introduce difficult topics like boarding schools, genocide and forced removal of Native people? We’ll talk with educational experts about how and when these topics can make their way into the classroom. Listen to the full interview here.

  • Children’s book documents a grandmother’s struggle in residential school. CBC Metro Morning.

Today, kids across this country wear orange to remember the children who were forced into residential schools. One of them is remembered in a book written by her granddaughter. Matt Galloway spoke with Jenny Kay Dupuis, author of “I Am Not A Number.” Listen to the full interview here.

  • Why some Indigenous people in Canada are organizing protests in support Black Lives Matter. CBC Metro Morning.

Harriet Visitor, elementary teacher from Sioux Lookout, and Jenny Kay Dupuis, author and educator, talk about changing systems, building community and fostering dignity in individual children. Listen to the full interview here.

  • Jenny Kay Dupuis wanted her book to be available in the language her grandmother was punished for speaking. CBC Unreserved

When Nipissing author Jenny Kay Dupuis co-wrote I Am Not a Number, she knew that she wanted to have it translated into the Nbising dialect of Nishnaabemwin, the language that her grandmother was forbidden to speak at residential school. Read the full interview here.

  • “I Am Not a Number’ a harsher truth in Nishnaabemwin. Anishinabek News.

There was standing room only at Nipissing University to hear Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis’ talk, Acknowledging the Truth, Reconciling the Past, and Honouring Community Voices. About 200 students, faculty, staff, and community members listened as Dr. Dupuis discussed the writing of a successful children’s book, I Am Not a Number. Read more here.

  • What is one book your generation should read? 12 kids from Canada’s Smartest Person Junior share their picks. CBC.   

… Our generation is inspired to look into the future, but we should never forget the past. This book is not that long, but it still makes us understand how First Nations children were treated back then. That is why I think this is a meaningful book for my entire generation to read. Read more here.

  • Author and Educator, Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis on New Book, I Am Not a Number. Muskrat Magazine. 

MUSKRAT Magazine’s Akeesha Footman interviewed esteemed researcher, teacher, artist and author Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis, about her new book, I Am Not A Number. Dr. Dupuis along with co-author Kathy Kacer, crafted a powerful book based on the life of Dupuis’ grandmother. The story brings to light a terrible part of Canada’s history in a way children can learn from and relate to. Also included is Dr. Dupuis’ recommended online resources for anyone who wants to learn more about Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Read more here.

  • Jenny Kay Dupuis wanted her book to be available in the language her grandmother was punished for speaking. CBC Unreserved.

 When Nipissing author Jenny Kay Dupuis co-wrote I Am Not a Number, she knew that she wanted to have it translated into the Nbising dialect of Nishnaabemwin, the language that her grandmother was forbidden to speak at residential school. Listen to the full interview here.

  • Teaching Difficult Topics. Native America Calling.

When is it appropriate to introduce difficult topics like boarding schools, genocide and forced removal of Native people? We’ll talk with educational experts about how and when these topics can make their way into the classroom. Listen to the full interview here.

  • Children’s book documents a grandmother’s struggle in residential school. CBC Metro Morning.

Today, kids across this country wear orange to remember the children who were forced into residential schools. One of them is remembered in a book written by her granddaughter. Matt Galloway spoke with Jenny Kay Dupuis, author of “I Am Not A Number.” Listen to the full interview here.

  • Why some Indigenous people in Canada are organizing protests in support Black Lives Matter. CBC Metro Morning.

Harriet Visitor, elementary teacher from Sioux Lookout, and Jenny Kay Dupuis, author and educator, talk about changing systems, building community and fostering dignity in individual children. Listen to the full interview here.

  • Let’s Talk Racism – Episode 5, Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis

In Episode 5, we speak with Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis. The doctor is in as we discuss racism from the Indigenous point of view with this best selling author. Watch the full interview here.