Why Do You Walk Like That?/Tanihki ekusi ka sipimohtiyen?: A Story About MS, Disability, and the Métis Sash

Description

By Rheanna Robinson and Laura Thevenaz · Illustrated by Sean Robinson

Audra learns about her Auntie’s disability

On a beautiful day, Audra and her Auntie Nan take a walk. Audra quickly notices her Auntie walks differently. When curious Audra asks her about it, Auntie Nan takes the opportunity to teach her about difference and how everyone’s differences are important, just like every strand of a Metis Sash is important. Why Do You Walk Like That? portrays how each person uniquely adds to the strength of the fabric of society. With story dialogue translated to Michif.

ISBN: 9781777894788
Paperback , Trade, Trade, Picture book, Saddle-sewn
English, English, Michif
Juvenile: Age (years) 5 – 9, Age (years) 6 – 8, Grade (CAN) 1 – 3, Grade (US) 1 – 3, Reading age 6 – 8
Publication Date: Oct 01, 2026
BISAC:JUVENILE FICTION/Disability

Dr. Rheanna Robinson is an Indigenous scholar and a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1997, Rheanna has lived with an evolving lens of MS-related disease and disability for almost 30 years. Rheanna was inspired to write this story after her niece, Audra, started asking questions about her disability. She wanted to find a way to share her experience of living with MS in a more relatable way that celebrates her identity and honours the love she has for her family.

Laura Thevenaz is Métis and a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation. As Audra’s mom, and Rheanna’s sister, being able to talk about disability is important since having family members living with disability affects everyone.

About the Translator

Annette Maurice is a Métis Elder from northwest Saskatchewan who lives in Prince George, BC. She was raised speaking the “y” dialect of Michif which includes the Cree language and some French nouns. The translations offered in this story are a phonetic representation of her language. While translating this story from English to Michif, Annette had fond memories of conversing in Michif with her mom.

Sean Robinson is a Nisga’a student at the University of Victoria. He has published fiction in Thimbleberry and The New Quarterly. He has also published and produced stories in The Tyee and for CBC.