Overview

If I Go Missing is derived from excerpts of a letter that went viral and was also the basis of a documentary film. In her letter, Jonnie calls out the authorities for neglecting to immediately investigate missing Indigenous people and urges them to ""not treat me as the Indigenous person I am proud to be"" if she were to be reported missing. Indigenous artist Neal Shannacappo provides the artwork. Through his illustrations, he imagines a situation in which a young Indigenous woman does disappear, portraying the reaction of her community, her friends, the police, and media.

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9781459414518

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Reviews

""Jonnie, Shingoose, and Shannacappo train a poignant spotlight onto the difficulties Indigenous women face. Every library should have a copy of this potent work.""--starred, School Library Journal -- (4/10/2020 12:00:00 AM) ""Jonnie's words put a personal face on this critical issue, and they will resonate with readers long after the last page.""--Booklist -- (6/11/2020 12:00:00 AM)

A beautiful, haunting, and accurate account of a brave teenager who sought justice for her people. I will never forget this beautiful graphic novel with its equally gorgeous images.--Rogene Carter, Teacher

In 2016, at 14, Jonnie wrote a letter to the Winnipeg chief of police, detailing the neglect and abuse Indigenous women have suffered and citing statistics of violent crimes that either were not investigated or were treated without any semblance of urgency or importance. With coauthor Shingoose and illustrator Shannacappo, her missive has been transformed into a powerful graphic novel. The words are striking, honest, and mature, and the call to action is unmistakable as she directs law enforcement to simply do better. Shannacappo's sweeping, haunting depictions illuminate the dangers that Indigenous women face regularly and at a disproportionate rate. On the whole, this is a highly effective way to convey an important social message to readers unaware of this issue. VERDICT Jonnie, Shingoose, and Shannacappo train a poignant spotlight onto the difficulties Indigenous women face. Every library should have a copy of this potent work.--starred, School Library Journal -- Journal

In 2016, at 14, Jonnie wrote a letter to the Winnipeg chief of police, detailing the neglect and abuse Indigenous women have suffered and citing statistics of violent crimes that either were not investigated or were treated without any semblance of urgency or importance. With coauthor Shingoose and illustrator Shannacappo, her missive has been transformed into a powerful graphic novel. The words are striking, honest, and mature, and the call to action is unmistakable as she directs law enforcement to simply do better. Shannacappo's sweeping, haunting depictions illuminate the dangers that Indigenous women face regularly and at a disproportionate rate. On the whole, this is a highly effective way to convey an important social message to readers unaware of this issue. VERDICT Jonnie, Shingoose, and Shannacappo train a poignant spotlight onto the difficulties Indigenous women face. Every library should have a copy of this potent work.--starred, School Library Journal -- Journal (4/10/2020 12:00:00 AM) In 2016, 14-year-old Brianna Jonnie, an Ojibwe girl, wrote a letter to the Winnipeg Chief of Police. Citing devastating statistics surrounding missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, Jonnie challenged the Winnipeg police to 'do better, ' linking a lack of visibility and urgency surrounding crimes against Indigenous women to higher rates of violence and a clear message that Indigenous lives are less valuable than those of white people. The letter was shared online and soon went viral. In this powerful collaboration, Jonnie's words are accompanied by intensely emotional illustrations. Drawing in a spare, sketchy style using gray and black with splashes of vivid red, Shannacappo utilizes dramatic contrasts and distorted angles to amplify the sense of dread and unease. Supplemental materials include the full text of Jonnie's letter, an overview of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (#MMIW), and additional resources. Jonnie's words put a personal face on this critical issue, and they will resonate with readers long after the last page.--Booklist -- Journal (6/11/2020 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

BRIANNA JONNIE is Ojibwe. Brianna was a member of the youth empowerment group Strong Girls, Strong World, for which she spoke to young people about healthy relationships, she continues to educate teens about youth empowerment through the Teen Talk program. Brianna has been awarded the City of Winnipeg Citizen Equity Committee's Youth Role Model Award in the advocacy category, the Lieutenant Governor's Vice-Regal award and the Make a Difference community award for her volunteer work. Brianna lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba.NAHANNI SHINGOOSE is Saulteaux, originally from Roseau River First Nation, Manitoba. She is an elementary teacher and author of Indigenous content, including teacher resources, picture books, graphic novels, and fiction for teens and young adults. She is the recipient of a Golden Leaf National Publishing Award, an Indspire Indigenous Educator Award, and two Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Teaching. Nahanni is also Lead Writer for the National Film Board's Indigenous Education and Reconciliation Program. She lives in Stoney Creek, Ontario. NEAL SHANNACAPPO is Nakawe (Saulteaux) from Ditibineya-ziibiing (Rolling River First Nations). He is an artist, graphic novelist, poet and writer, and contributed to the graphic novel anthologies Sovereign Traces Volumes 1 and 2. He lives in Ottawa, Ontario.

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