From the Roots Up

In this sequel to Surviving the City, Dez is grieving their grandmother''s death, living in a group home, and navigating their identity as a Two-Spirit person. Will Miikwan learn how to be a supportive ally to her best friend? Will Dez be comfortable expressing their full identity? And will the community be able to celebrate them?

Dez’s grandmother has passed away. Grieving, and with nowhere else to go, they’re living in a group home. On top of everything else, Dez is navigating a new relationship and coming into their identity as a Two-Spirit person.

Miikwan is crushing on the school’s new kid Riel, but doesn’t really understand what Dez is going through. Will she learn how to be a supportive ally to her best friend?

Elder Geraldine is doing her best to be supportive, but she doesn’t know how to respond when the gendered protocols she’s grown up with are being thrown into question.

Will Dez be comfortable expressing their full identity? And will their community relearn the teachings and overcome prejudice to celebrate them for who they are?