As an Indigenous artist of storytelling and a passionate creator, I have embarked on this project to bring to life a collection of children's books that promote Indigenous stories and culture. It is inspired by the love for my panika’s (daughter’s) wonderment for books, art, songs, and dancing, and the realization that there are not enough Indigenous stories for Indigenous children.

My goal is to create a series of books that will inspire Indigenous children to learn about their heritage, while also teaching other children about the rich traditions of Indigenous Peoples. Through this project, I hope the books promote diversity, build bridges, and encourage young readers to embrace the uniqueness of Indigenous culture and themselves while being both fun and educational.

The project will consist of four children's books that will be both entertaining and educational, suitable for children of all ages. Two of the books will be based on Yup'ik stories, while the other two will be inspired by nursery rhymes and songs. The first book will be an introduction to Yup'ik words and language, featuring the Yup'ik alphabet with accompanying pictures and English translations. The second book will be based on a traditional Yup'ik story, How the Crane Got Its Blue Eyes. The remaining two books will be developed with the help of supporters, who will have the opportunity to vote on which stories they would like to see Indigenized.

Supporters of this project will receive various rewards, depending on their donation level. For example, those who donate $15 or more will receive a digital copy of one of the finished books, while those who donate $100 or more will receive a set of all four books, signed by me. Additionally, supporters who donate $500 or more will have the opportunity to have their name featured in the acknowledgments section of the books and will also receive a limited-edition print of one of the book's illustrations.

I am seeking crowdfunding for this project to cover the costs associated with self-publishing, including editing, proofreading, printing, and other fees such as ISBN purchases and self-publishing packages. The cost of producing a single book, from start to finish, is estimated to be roughly $4200, and with four books in the series, this quickly adds up. By crowdfunding, I hope to bring this project to fruition without sacrificing quality or creativity.

As a supporter of this project, you can become the hero of the stories. Without your contribution, this project would not be possible. Your support not only provides the funding necessary to bring these books to life but also serves as a vote of confidence and encouragement to continue creating and promoting Indigenous culture. You, as a supporter, are not merely a donor, but co-creators of this project, helping to shape and guide the direction of the series. Through your contributions, you are helping to inspire a new generation of readers to appreciate and celebrate Indigenous People and culture.