The Search for Gluscap

Return to a world of action and ancestral wisdom in The Search for Gluscap, a high-stakes children’s graphic novel for readers ages 6 to 8 rooted in Mi’kmaq culture.

It’s salmon season, but the river is hauntingly empty. In this contemporary setting, Mali’s family faces a devastating reality: the fish aren't coming back. Seeking to understand the exploitation of natural resources, Mali and Puug discover a grim truth—the logging industry has choked the waterways with debris, poisoning the river and its sacred Water Guardian.

The giant serpent, suffering from the toxic legacy of lumber mills, can no longer distinguish friend from foe. To save the river and ensure sustainability for future generations, Mali and Puug must embark on an urgent quest that will teach them the vital importance of environmental stewardship and social justice.

Their only hope lies in finding Gluscap (Glooscap), the legendary protector of all living things. But the great hero has been missing for ages.

Blending fast-paced children’s fiction with traditional Indigenous knowledge, this graphic novel honors the oral culture, language, and storytelling traditions of First Nations peoples.

• Core theme: An accessible, age-appropriate look at the impact of colonialism on the land.
• Cultural perspective: A unique Pacifique Mi’kmaw lens on nature, community balance, and ecosystem interconnectivity.
• The series: The thrilling second volume in the acclaimed Adventures of the Pugulatmu’j series by Mi’kmaw creator Brandon Mitchell.

Can Mali and Puug find Gluscap before the Serpent Guardian is lost forever? Or will the salmon—and an entire way of life—vanish from the river?

Brandon Mitchell, Mi’gmaq from Listuguj First Nation in Quebec, now resides in the unceded Wolastoqiyik Peace and Friendship Treaty territory of Fredericton, New Brunswick, with his wife, Natasha, and sons Brayden and Bryce. He holds a diploma in animation and design from the New Brunswick Community College of Miramichi, as well as a master's degree in education from the University of New Brunswick. With over two decades of expertise in graphic novels, gaming, and animation, Brandon is a seasoned multidisciplinary artist.

Veronika Barinova (she/her/hers) is an emerging illustrator currently living in Calgary. She has a Bachelor in Visual Communication Design from the Alberta University of the Arts, and works primarily in digital media. Born in Moscow, Russia, Veronika is inspired by the 90s, occult fiction, and Slavic folk tales. Her work focuses on creating engaging characters and immersive worlds for readers, and her stories often have mystical or supernatural themes with a comedic undertone. Her work appears in Giju’s Gift from the graphic novel series Adventures of the Pugulatmu’j.

Kielamel Sibal (she, her) is a Filipino Canadian letterer, graphic designer, cartoonist, writer, and illustrator. She is passionately curious about the craft of different storytelling methods, from comics and video games to film and illustration. Born in Pampanga, Philippines, Kiela currently conducts her sparkling antics of wizardry in Winnipeg, Manitoba.