ACROSS THE ICE

The heroic tale of how an Ojibwe community protected a horse species on the brink of extinction.

One chilly night, two children at Lac La Croix First Nation—located in northwestern Ontario—struggle to sleep. The “buzz of aunties and uncles and cousins” fills the house; everyone is awake with anticipation. To soothe her grandchildren, Nookomis tells a story. Years ago, Ojibwe people and horses shared the land and forged a unique relationship. But the Canadian government considered wild ponies “a nuisance and a health hazard,” and by 1977, their numbers were reduced to a mere four. “We had to save them,” says Nookomis. “But how?” The community decided to capture the four horses and transport them across the frozen lake to Minnesota. Eventually, the herd’s numbers grew. The narrative comes full circle as we find out why the family is so excited; they’re starting a herd of their own and have been awaiting the arrival of six new horses. Whitecrow (Ojibwe/Dakota) and O’Connor have crafted a quiet yet enthusiastic tale that glides along beautifully. Their prose is simple yet enchanting, each well-chosen word imbued with emotion, building anticipation and drawing readers in. Using vibrant colors and pockets of light, Donovan (Métis) makes the night feel cozy. Illuminating details emphasize the community’s strength in its fight against the harmful government policies, as well as the younger generation’s care for the Ojibwe horse.

A deeply moving exploration of community and human-animal connection.