President Steenkamp & Russell Johnston: My Heart Fills with Happiness

I love the warmth of the sun and the explosion of flowers and foliage at this time of year, with that promise of summer just around the corner. The joy of that feeling is captured in the children's book My Heart Fills with Happiness / Nijiikendam, which was recently translated into Anishinaabemowin. 

It was written by Monique Gray Smith, a much loved local author and a member of the Royal Roads Board of Governors. The beautiful illustrations are by Julie Flett, and the translators are Angela Mesic and Margaret Noodin.

I'm grateful to Indigenous Education Advisor Russell Johnston, who joined me in the Italian Garden for a dual-language reading, with permission by the wonderful Orca Book Publishers.

The book lifts up our hearts, and Indigenous language revitalization, learning and love.