Telling a human story

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This article was published 18/02/2020 (2043 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brianna Jonnie knows all about the power of the written word.

Last month, the 18-year-old south St. Vital resident released her first book, If I Go Missing.  
Published by Toronto-based Lorimer Children & Teens, the book is co-written by Nahanni Shingoose and illustrated by Neal Shannacappo.

Described as a combination of graphic fiction and non-fiction, and aimed at youth and young adults, Jonnie’s novel is derived from excerpts of a letter she wrote when she was 14, which went viral, which called out authorities for not immediately investigating missing Indigenous people, she said.

“Originally, it was supposed to be a novel, and it’s also about how I became involved with activism,” said Jonnie, a Collège Jeanne-Sauvè alumna who is her first year at the University of Winnipeg, adding that the project evolved into more of a graphic novel after discussions with her publisher.

“I wanted to bring the issue to light with younger audiences without being too harsh, and also let them know they’re not alone. I was really trying to connect with young people, who are not always taken seriously, and let them know that they have a voice and that there are people that believe in them. Growing up where I did in St. Vital, there were two other kids that looked like me, and there are times, when Indigenous culture is talked about, it’s a ‘them, not us’ discussion. One of the goals of the book is to make this message accessible to youth, and connecting it with something people can relate too and understand. It’s a human story.”

As the project came together, Jonnie said she was “amazed” when she saw Shannacappo’s drawings for the first time. She said there are excerpts at the end of the book which can be attributed to both her and Shingoose, who is her aunt, which provide “more insight into the problem.”

“It’s really important for youth to be engaged. Young people have a lot of really good ideas and opinions, and we don’t always hear about all of the empathy there is here in our city,” she said, noting her gratitude to her publisher and McNally Robinson, which was the venue of her January book launch.

“My publisher was very open to everything I was saying, and wanted to keep me 100 per cent involved in the process, which was very respectful and supportive.”

No stranger to being recognized for her contributions in the community, Jonnie was awarded a 2019 TD Scholarship for Community Leadership.

The hardcover book, which is also set to be published in the U.S. this year, is available online at amazon.ca, as well as at Chapters and McNally Robinson.