Review: Surviving the City, Volume 1

In Tasha Spillett’s graphic novel “Surviving the City, Volume 1,” Miikwan and Dez are best friends supporting each other as they navigate young adulthood. While they revel in their cultural heritage and are surrounded by supportive adults, Dez receives bad news that she is reluctant to share. She withdraws from Miikwan and then disappears. Will Miikwan be able to find Dez before it’s too late?

This graphic novel is SHORT (fewer than 60 pages) but has SO MUCH going on. On the surface is a story about best friends and how they support each other. Underneath…the reader learns about the trauma to indigenous communities from Residential Schools, other government policies, and the thousands of missing indigenous girls and women in the U.S. and Canada. 

This story is one of hope and support as Miikwan leans on her elders (and her ancestors) while she tries to figure out what happened to Dez. Natasha Donovan’s illustrations are haunting at times, comforting at others. The afterword explains the realities of missing indigenous women in an easy-to-understand way.

This story is great for those who like stories about friends and the importance of family and community. “Surviving the City, Volume 1” is a great addition to the classroom library.