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Victoria author highlights culture, memory and healing in new book
Published 7:30 am Saturday, April 18, 2026
A deeply personal story about family, culture and healing is at the heart of a new picture book by bestselling Victoria author Monique Gray Smith.
Kohkom’s First Drum, released April 14, draws from Smith’s family history.
The author explores the topic of the Sixties Scoop through the story of Charlie and his kohkom, who just recently received her first drum. As a child, Charlie’s kohkom was taken from her family, so she never knew much about her Cree culture until later in life.
“I’m excited this book has come into the world,” Smith said in an interview. “It’s a story about my mom getting her first drum, when she was 82 years old, and it was a sign for her for healing and for joy and for community and a sense of belonging.”
Smith said her mother’s experience directly inspired the book, which took several years to complete.
“My mom sadly died in the middle of all of the writing, and I just didn’t feel like I was in an emotional space to write,” she said.
Despite the loss, Smith said she hopes the book encourages young readers to talk about family history and connection.
“I hope it opens conversations for children about family, joy, community… and understanding our family’s history,” she said.
Published by Orca Book Publishers, the book includes back matter to help explain the Sixties Scoop and its ongoing impacts. It has also been released in French and a bilingual Plains Cree–English edition.
Smith said she hopes readers come away with a deeper sense of resilience and belonging, and an appreciation for Indigenous strength and culture.
She will also be appearing at a book signing on Sunday, April 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Bolen Books, where readers can meet her and get copies signed.
