Proof That We Can Go On with Carole Lindstrom
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In this heartfelt episode of The Children's Book Podcast, host Matthew Winner sits down with acclaimed author Carol Lindstrom to discuss her powerful middle grade debut, Red River Rose, and its companion picture book, The Gift of the Great Buffalo. Lindstrom shares her deeply personal journey of reclaiming her Métis and Ojibwe identity, shaped by childhood shame, erasure, and the legacy of colonialism. She reveals how her own experiences—growing up in a family where Indigenous culture was suppressed, and finding solace in libraries—inspired her to write stories that center Indigenous resilience, hope, and the agency of young people. The conversation explores themes of historical truth, intergenerational trauma, and the transformative power of storytelling, particularly for children who need to see themselves reflected in literature. Lindstrom emphasizes that even when outcomes aren’t what we wish for, the act of standing up, of trying, is itself an act of resistance and hope.
Children are natural heroes—they want to be part of the solution, even if their actions don’t change the outcome.
Hope is not naive; it’s essential. It’s what allows us to carry on, even in the face of historical injustice.
Nature is a grounding force—spring, rain, and flowers are not just seasonal events, but symbols of resilience and renewal.
Historical fiction can honor truth while still offering hope, especially when it centers Indigenous voices and experiences.
The erasure of Indigenous history was intentional and systemic—education must confront this to heal.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Weight of Identity and Erasure
“It was illegal for me to be who I was.”
The Power of Story and the Birth of Red River Rose
“I knew I needed to do this because I think this is a part of history.”
Hope in the Face of Injustice
“There's always hope. There's always a hope of a new day, of a new spring.”
Children as Agents of Change
Lindstrom emphasizes that children want to be heroes—not with capes, but by being part of the effort. She shares how Rose’s journey reflects her own desire to stand up, even when change seems impossible.
The Legacy of Colonialism in Education
The hosts reflect on how textbooks and children’s literature have long erased Indigenous voices. Lindstrom reveals how books like Little House on the Prairie shaped her longing for family while also reinforcing her exclusion.
“It was illegal for me to be who I was.”
“There's always hope. There's always a hope of a new day, of a new spring.”
“We owe it to them because they did it for us to let us be here right now.”
Host
Guest
Carol Lindstrom
person
Matthew Winner
person
Red River Rose
book
The Gift of the Great Buffalo
book
Northwest Resistance
other
Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe
other
Canadian Government
organization
Red River Métis
other
Little House on the Prairie
book
Steph Littlebird
person
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