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Uncover family secrets and ancestral history in Visions From the Fire, the powerful second volume of the acclaimed Dreams Series graphic novels by Cree author Wanda John-Kehewin.
Blending contemporary mystery with deep-rooted Indigenous spirituality, this young adult graphic novel features evocative illustrations by nicole marie burton, offering grounded, inclusive representation of contemporary First Nations experiences.
A bear and her cub, a strange silver ring, and an ancestor from long ago… Join Damon Quinn, a young Plains Cree man, as he unravels these mysteries through an unexpected vision quest. Things have finally started looking up for Damon—he’s graduated high school, saved enough money to buy his first car, and he and Journey are growing closer.
Ready for an adventure, Damon, his mom Marnie, and Journey take a summer road trip to Kehewin Cree Nation to attend a Sweat Lodge ceremony and a Powwow, reconnecting with their roots and the beauty of their shared culture. But when Damon stumbles into a vision quest, he discovers a past his mother would prefer remained hidden—and tensions rise further as he makes plans to meet his estranged father.
Grounded in real-world themes, this propulsive story serves as a profound testament to Cree community and ancestral connection.
- Critical themes: Explores complex mental health struggles facing Indigenous youth, detailing the lasting impacts of colonialism, intergenerational trauma, and community healing.
- Cultural practice focus: Features authentic depictions of traditional ceremonies, and community connections.
- Curriculum fit: Ideal for high school English Language Arts and Indigenous Studies classrooms (Grades 9–12).
There are many moments where the tug on the heartstrings is felt sharply throughout the story. I look forward to seeing what pops up in Vol. 3! I think all our readers will benefit from seeing how these characters evolve and mature to handle the issues they face.
This is a thoughtful and personal journey, one that John-Kehewin explains in the afterword is closely shaped by her own experiences. Those closing reflections add important context to the work and help underline why this journey matters. Without them, this graphic novel series could easily be overlooked, which would be a shame given how much heart and purpose it carries.
— Ed Sum