Ishkode: A Story of Fire

By Melonee Montano and Evan Larson

Igniting connection with the forests of the Great Lakes region through Indigenous teachings

When an invitation arrives from the forest, what will you hear? What will you learn? How will you respond? Ishkode: A Story of Fire brings readers into a beautiful stand of ancient red pines where Aanikoobijigan, a grandmother red pine, guides a young woman, Animikiimiikanikwe, toward healing and renewal through fire. Embracing the power of memory, storytelling, and restoration, this lyrical narrative is a celebration of hope, healing, and the lessons we can learn from the land.

Including an Ojibwe pronunciation guide and glossary, this book weaves Anishinaabe teachings with the science of tree rings to reveal the deep, enduring relationships between people, fire, pines, and the wider web of ecosystems in the Great Lakes region. Ishkode highlights the role of fire in the environment, bringing to light the connections between ecological restoration, cultural revival, and reciprocal stewardship.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1517922712
• ISBN13: 9781517922719
• Release Date: October 2026
• Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Age Range: 6 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 5