Author Sandra Samatte offers us a behind-the-scenes look on the creative process of the Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection, rooting each story in her lived experience as an Anishinaabe mother, educator, and author from Skownan First Nation.
★ "Simple text with clear and specific targeted practice for emergent readers reinforce foundational skills like segmenting and blending CVC words. . . Wonderful resources for parents to read together with children. The illustrations are breathtaking and lend themselves to lots of rich conversation." —School Library Journal
Why did you choose to set all the stories in Nature? More specifically, the Drumbeat series showcases First Nations and Indigenous People connecting with Nature in a contemporary setting. Why was that important to you? What are the ways that the Drumbeat series showcases this objective?
“The Land, or Nature, has always been woven into Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Ways of Being, and Ways of Doing. By setting all of the Drumbeat Decodable stories in natural environments, I wanted to reflect the relationship that First Nations and Indigenous Peoples continue to have with the Land, Water, Sky, and All Our Relations. The stories are based on my experiences as an Anishinaabe mother, educator, and author from Skownan First Nation. These connections are not something of the past, they are vibrant, present, and ongoing.
For me, it was important that young readers see Indigenous families, children, and communities interacting with nature in contemporary settings: at Culture Camp, playing, harvesting, storytelling – because these are everyday realities. The stories affirm that our Languages, Cultures, and Teachings are carried forward through relationships, and that connection to the Land continues to shape our identities.
The Drumbeat Decodable series showcases this objective through characters who are actively engaged with the Land, walking along rivers, noticing animals, listening to the drumbeat of Mother Earth, spending time with Elders who share knowledge. The text together with the illustrations encourages children to see nature not just as a backdrop, but as an active presence in the story – to respect, learn from, and care for Mother Earth.”
Each book contains a word list, high-frequency words, short vowel words, and fun activities for extended learning.
How did you and Illustrator Julian Grafenauer collaborate?
“Collaboration is a very meaningful part of creating the Drumbeat Decodable series. Julian and I have worked together for at least 10 years. We work closely to ensure that each story’s vision is carried forward with cultural accuracy, care, and creativity. Indigenous Education Press is committed to writing and illustrating from an Indigenous perspective. Julian is from Rolling River First Nation, Treaty 4 Territory and I am from Skownan First Nation, Treaty 2 Territory. We share a commitment to grounding the Indigenous Education Press books, including this series, in an Indigenous perspectives, ensuring that the imagery reflects our communities in ways that feel authentic and truthful.
I developed the storylines, characters, and teaching goals for the Drumbeat Decodables, while Julian brought them to life visually. We are constantly in communication – sharing sketches, refining details, and discussing how visual elements could complement the phonics focus, while also carrying cultural depth. Julian’s design and artistic experience allowed the natural setting, family relationships, and subtle cultural signifiers to shine through.
Our collaboration creates a balance: the written text provides literacy scaffolding for early readers, and the illustrations expand the stories with layers of meaning, place, and identity.”
Indigenous educator and author Samatte, who is also CEO of Indigenous Education Press, says her ongoing interest in education trends, and strong educator demand, spurred the creation of the Drumbeat books.
Jan at Camp provides students with the opportunity to connect with and learn from critical Native American and Indigenous Peoples’ content, specifically featuring Culture Camps. What does this book mean to you? Why did you decide to include the topic of/setting of a Culture Camp in the Drumbeat series?
“Jan at Camp holds a very special place in the Drumbeat Decodables series because it highlights the importance of Culture Camps in strengthening identity, learning, and belonging. For many Indigenous communities, Culture Camps are spaces where young people come together to learn from Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Language Keepers, and community members. The setting is the Land, providing space for Land-Based Learning. They are places of language revitalization, cultural teachings, and intergenerational connection and learning.
Including a Culture Camp in the series was intentional. I wanted children – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous – to see how these Camps are not only sites of learning but also places of friendship. In Jan at Camp, the characters are experiencing nature, learning skills, and connecting with teachings that is grounding and provide a sense of who they are. For Indigenous readers, this representation can affirm experiences they know and understand; for non-Indigenous readers, this book provides a window into the strength of our cultures today.
This book means a great deal to me because it reflects a truth that is close to my heart. Culture Camps continue to nurture our future generations. By placing this story in this setting, I wanted to honour the resilience of our communities while showing children that literacy and cultural knowledge grow strongest when rooted in place, family, and tradition.”
Learn about the impact contemporary literature that authentically reflects Indigenous Peoples and Native American identities and histories can have in primary grades from this webinar in collaboration with the National Indian Education Association.
Sandra Samatte, Anishinaabe, member of Ne-biimiskonaan (Skownan) First Nation, Treaty 2 Territory. Sandra has a Bachelor of Education degree. She is an Author and is currently the CEO of Indigenous Education Press (IEP). Her passion for Indigenous Education has been focused on creating Indigenous books and resources that are respectful, are culturally appropriate, and hold cultural integrity for educators, children, and young people.
