Book launch of Dr. Imelda Perley’s new book Woliwon ‘Koselomulpa! Thank you. I love you all! Wela’lioq KesaluloqMsit

Press Release

On Monday, September 30th, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, The Beaverbrook Boutique will host a special book launch event celebrating Dr. Imelda Perley’s latest work, Woliwon ‘Koselomulpa! Thank you. I love you all! Wela’lioq KesaluloqMsit.

Woliwon ‘Koselomulpa!, Thank you. I love you all!, Wela’lioq Kesaluloq Msɨt! is a landmark Indigenous book for babies that draws upon the seven generation teachings, traditions and ceremonies of the Wabanaki cultures. The stunning illustrations and moving text welcome babies as new ancestors, sharing with them the beauty of their traditions and sacred duty to protect the environment and honour their relationships with all their relations.

Born to Read New Brunswick (BTRNB) was grateful to secure a grant from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to create this long-awaited Indigenous book for babies. BTRNB, is an early literacy program that advances early childhood and family literacy in our province, by gifting families of all new-borns with a bag of books for their baby.

This book project has been a collaborative initiative involving renowned Wolastoqey author and keeper of ancestral teachings, OPOLAHSOMUWEHS (Imelda Perley), celebrated multi-disciplinary storyteller and artist, Wolastoqey SAMAQANI COCAHQ (Natalie Sappier), Mi’kmaq translator, and language teacher, Serena Sock,  art director, Julie Scriver, Goose Lane Editions, and editor, Susan Fisher, curator of the Eileen Wallace Children’s Literature Collection at the University of New Brunswick and Pam Whitty and Lynda Homer who coordinated the project on behalf of Born to Read NB.

Woliwon ‘Koselomulpa!, Thank you. I love you all!, Wela’lioq Kesaluloq Msɨt! t will be included in all Anglophone bags distributed in the province, and  available to parents, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

The production of this book is a significant and vital step toward the preservation of Indigenous languages and culture, and for the continuing of traditional knowledge for future generations.

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