The Rez Doctor
Will be published approx. on 24. October 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
64 pages
978-1-55379-924-5 (ISBN)
Description
Young Ryan Fox gets good grades, but he's not sure what he wants to be when he grows up. It isn't until he meets a Blackfoot doctor during a school assembly that he starts to dream big.
However, becoming a doctor isn't easy. University takes Ryan away from his family and the Siksikaitsitapi community, and without their support, he begins to struggle. Faced with more stress than he's ever experienced, he turns to partying. Distracted from his responsibilities, his grades start to slip. His bills pile up. Getting into med school feels impossible. And now his beloved uncle is in jail. Can Ryan regain his footing to walk the path he saw so clearly as a boy?
This inspiring graphic novel for young adults is based on a true story.
However, becoming a doctor isn't easy. University takes Ryan away from his family and the Siksikaitsitapi community, and without their support, he begins to struggle. Faced with more stress than he's ever experienced, he turns to partying. Distracted from his responsibilities, his grades start to slip. His bills pile up. Getting into med school feels impossible. And now his beloved uncle is in jail. Can Ryan regain his footing to walk the path he saw so clearly as a boy?
This inspiring graphic novel for young adults is based on a true story.
Reviews / Votes
An empowering telling of a journey to healing. * Kirkus * Inspiring....Providing young readers with an example of success in the face of struggle and failure, this graphic novel would be a good addition to any collection. * School Library Journal * Among LA County Library's Graphic Novels list * LA County Library * Among American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) 2024 Best Books, Comics and Graphic Novels list * American Indians in Children's Literature * Readers will root for Chase as he struggles with realistic problems like failing grades, acute stress, near-alcoholism, bills, and suddenly becoming a dad. What holds him together and pushes Chase to do better is his need to help his family and give back to his community, filling the story with sincerity. The Rez Doctor is an uplifting and realistic narrative of achieving your dreams and giving back to your community. * Youth Services Book Review, 5 out of 5 stars * Selected for In the Margins Book Award, Young Adult Nonfiction Titles List * In the Margins Book * Among 2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book 2025 CBC Young Adult Favorites Winner * Canadian Children's Book Council * Winner Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Graphic Novel * Next Generation Indie Book Awards *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Canada
Publishing group
Portage & Main Press
Target group
Young adult
Interest Age: From 15 years
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Full colour throughout
Dimensions
Height: 247 mm
Width: 164 mm
Thickness: 7 mm
Weight
180 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-55379-924-5 (9781553799245)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Persons
Gitz Crazyboy (he/him/his) is a Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot) and Dene father and youth facilitator from Mohkinsstsisi (Calgary). Gitz's passion and purpose is helping, guiding, and most importantly, learning from the next generation, and he has held many positions within the youth education profession.
As an activist, Gitz is known for his leadership and participation in establishing the Bear Clan Patrol in Calgary, as well as organizing with the Idle No More movement. He has spent most of his life learning and living with different Indigenous Nations around the world. His travels have taken him to Germany, Ecuador, Guyana, Puerto Rico, and sacred spaces all over North America.
Currently Gitz resides in Calgary and is actively reconnecting with his Siksikaitsitapi roots. He believes the truth of who we are can be found in the beautiful things our ancestors carried-riddles, mysteries, ceremonies, songs, medicine, love, life, and laughter.
Veronika Barinova (she/her/hers) is an emerging illustrator currently living in Calgary. She has a Bachelor in Visual Communication Design from the Alberta University of the Arts, and works primarily in digital media. Born in Moscow, Russia, Veronika is inspired by the 90s, occult fiction, and Slavic folk tales. Her work focuses on creating engaging characters and immersive worlds for readers, and her stories often have mystical or supernatural themes with a comedic undertone. Her work appears in Giju's Gift from the graphic novel series Adventures of the Pugulatmu'j.
Azby Whitecalf (they/them/theirs) is a Plains Cree character designer and illustrator based out of North Battleford, Saskatchewan in Treaty 6 Territory. A graduate of the Alberta University of the Arts, they hold a Bachelor Degree in Visual Communication (Character Design). Their artistic practice focuses on fun and exciting stories with memorable and unique characters, and they enjoy working with bright colours, strong contrast, and fun shapes. Azby is passionate about creating accurate and positive representation of Indigenous Peoples and cultures, as well as exploring how to portray Indigenous Peoples in a way that celebrates multidimensional identities.
Toben Racicot is a comic book writer and letterer whose work has appeared in Crown & Anchor, Pilgrim's Dirge, Beastlands, Sidequest, and Juniper. He dreamt of being an aerospace engineer before failing high school physics. Now he studies role-playing games at the University of Waterloo.
As an activist, Gitz is known for his leadership and participation in establishing the Bear Clan Patrol in Calgary, as well as organizing with the Idle No More movement. He has spent most of his life learning and living with different Indigenous Nations around the world. His travels have taken him to Germany, Ecuador, Guyana, Puerto Rico, and sacred spaces all over North America.
Currently Gitz resides in Calgary and is actively reconnecting with his Siksikaitsitapi roots. He believes the truth of who we are can be found in the beautiful things our ancestors carried-riddles, mysteries, ceremonies, songs, medicine, love, life, and laughter.
Veronika Barinova (she/her/hers) is an emerging illustrator currently living in Calgary. She has a Bachelor in Visual Communication Design from the Alberta University of the Arts, and works primarily in digital media. Born in Moscow, Russia, Veronika is inspired by the 90s, occult fiction, and Slavic folk tales. Her work focuses on creating engaging characters and immersive worlds for readers, and her stories often have mystical or supernatural themes with a comedic undertone. Her work appears in Giju's Gift from the graphic novel series Adventures of the Pugulatmu'j.
Azby Whitecalf (they/them/theirs) is a Plains Cree character designer and illustrator based out of North Battleford, Saskatchewan in Treaty 6 Territory. A graduate of the Alberta University of the Arts, they hold a Bachelor Degree in Visual Communication (Character Design). Their artistic practice focuses on fun and exciting stories with memorable and unique characters, and they enjoy working with bright colours, strong contrast, and fun shapes. Azby is passionate about creating accurate and positive representation of Indigenous Peoples and cultures, as well as exploring how to portray Indigenous Peoples in a way that celebrates multidimensional identities.
Toben Racicot is a comic book writer and letterer whose work has appeared in Crown & Anchor, Pilgrim's Dirge, Beastlands, Sidequest, and Juniper. He dreamt of being an aerospace engineer before failing high school physics. Now he studies role-playing games at the University of Waterloo.