Sitka illustrator Michaela Goade received national attention in December for her Google Doodle of Alaska Native leader Elizabeth Peratrovich, whose legacy is honored annually on Feb. 16. Goade made headlines again last month as the first Indigenous person to win the Caldecott Medal, one of the highest honors in children’s literature. Following news of her award, KCAW’s Erin McKinstry interviewed Goade about her work illustrating “We are Water Protectors” and what inspires her as a Tlingit artist.

KCAW: Your illustrations are just so bright and colorful and captivating. It’s hard to find the right words to describe them, but I just wondered, where do you get inspiration for your art from?

MG: From growing up here, really. I get a lot of ideas when I’m out on walks or just out on the water. I take a lot of photos. I make a lot of notes to myself on my phone. Just things that I see around me. Other than that, you know, culture, culture is a huge inspiration. And I started on this picture book journey back working with Sealaska Heritage Institute in 2016 or 2017. And they were getting started on their Baby Raven Reads program. Before those projects, I had never really picked up watercolors much or never illustrated. And picture books are their own unique art form. So we were all figuring it out together. And when I didn’t know what I was doing, essentially, the fact that these stories were rooted in culture and in place and were something I felt on a really deep level, that really helped me through that process. And I think that’s just naturally carried over. And now I’m working with Indigenous authors from different parts of Canada and the U.S., and just having the similar core themes across the board.

KCAW: What made you want to work on “We are Water Protectors” specifically, this book that you won the Caldecott for?

MG: Well I think upon first reading Carole’s story, I knew that I wanted to work on it. Just the way she wrote and what she was writing about. I’m sure we can all relate here, just growing up in Southeast Alaska, being Tlingit, like people of the tides. Water is a way of life here, and it is is our life here in so many different ways. So that core theme really resonated. And I remember, like Carole, feeling helpless in 2016 during the gathering, the Stand at Standing Rock, and I remember feeling helpless. And at the time I was a bit younger, and still working up in Anchorage. So it was just, how can I help. I’m not a super vocal person. I shy away often times from those more extroverted things, so it was awesome to have an author write the story. And then activism through art is something that I’ve really learned through this book.

KCAW: Sure, what are some things that you hope that parents and their kids take away after reading this book?

MG: You know, I hope that people take away the message that we are all connected to each other and to the land. And that this fight for protecting our waters and our lands and mother earth shouldn’t just be on the shoulders of Indigenous people as it historically has been. And so just first and foremost to encourage people to look at their own relationship with the land and water and how might they take some more steps in their life to become better land stewards and then raise awareness of these really important Indigenous-led movements that are happening. And then also, to help Indigenous children feel seen and validated and adults. And to know that their voices and their stories are worthy of everyone lifting them up. And just to feel valued in that way. Because that is very important. Representation is so important. And for non-Native people as well. To see these books find success and find wide audiences, so that’s really, really affirming and really rewarding.

KCAW: So sort of the big national headline is that you’re the first Native American to win the award. Do you identify as Native American? Do you identify as Indigenous? Alaska Native? Native?

MG: I appreciate the question because I don’t get that question very often. I just get labeled. I identify as Tlingit and I also identify often as mixed Tlingit. Because it’s important to identify that I’m also white. So it can be a little strange to see the first ‘non-white.’ That’s just a tricky label, you know. I like to amplify as much as I can and lift up communities as much as I can. So I’m really honored by the recognition and the award. And the knowledge that I’m helping open doors for more people.

And I think it’s important to look at that and digest it and acknowledge and reflect on being the first in the award’s 83-year history. I think I remember reading, I didn’t know this, out of the 83 years, only 21 years has the award gone to a woman. And then I’m the only BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color) female to get that award. It’s just interesting to look at that and reflect on that while also just being excited for the future and just know that there have been a lot of big strides in the publishing industry in the last few years and to acknowledge that. And I am really grateful to be sort of entering this industry now. Because from what I’ve been told, it was even a lot different 5-10 years ago. So it’s really great timing too, and I think that is worthy of note. I feel very grateful for that.

KCAW: I wonder if you’ve gotten any feedback from Indigenous parents or children on the book that you would like to share that’s been particularly heartening to you?

MG: I can’t think of anything big. Oftentimes, it’s just these personal messages you receive from parents or families. Like when the Google doodle came out that I worked on that had Elizabeth Peratrovich. Just seeing and receiving little comments like I am so proud to be Native today, or I am so proud to be Tlingit today or my Tlingit or my Native children were so excited to show this to me. Those sorts of personal little messages feel more real or I guess significant than maybe the big recognitions. So just receiving little things like that over the last few days, that has been really great.

Erin McKinstry is a Report for America corps member.

Sitka illustrator Michaela Goade was awarded one of the highest honors in children’s literature this week. Goade, who is Tlingit, is the first Indigenous person to win the Caldecott Medal for her work on “We are Water Protectors.” 

Earlier this week, Michaela Goade thought she was signing on to an ordinary Zoom call with her small publishing team. Instead, she was met with a group of new faces congratulating her on her win.

“I was completely caught off guard and didn’t even really know what to say beyond just thank you a million times,” she said.

The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association to the artist of the most distinguished children’s picture book.

“It’s kind of like the pinnacle for kids books, it’s called like the Oscars of kids books, so it’s a dream I think a lot of us have and it was definitely a far-fetched dream, like maybe one day if I’m lucky,” Goade said.

The 15-person award committee chose “We are Water Protectors” from more than 100 other children’s books sent to them by publishing companies. Chair Annisha Jeffries said the book was chosen for its powerful message and its captivating illustrations.

“You know looking at the beautiful illustrations by Michaela, it just gave an overwhelming pictorial representation throughout the book. And she was able to breathe so much life into the story,” Jeffries said.

The book urges activism to protect water and other natural resources. Author Carole Lindstrom was inspired by Indigenous led movements like the 2016 demonstrations against the Dakota Access Pipeline. When Goade read the story, she knew immediately that she wanted to illustrate it.

“Just growing up in Southeast Alaska, being Tlingit, people of the tides — water is a way of life here, and it is our life here in so many different ways, so that core theme really resonated,” she said.

Goade is a member of the Kiks.ádi Clan of Sitka and the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. She made national headlines as the first Indigenous person and the first BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) woman to win the award. 

“I think it’s important to look at that and digest it and acknowledge and reflect on being the first in the award’s 83 year history, while also just being excited for the future and just know that there have been a lot of big strides in the publishing industry in the last few years,” she said.

Goade also received attention late last year when her drawing of Alaska Native leader Elizabeth Peratrovich was featured as Google’s Doodle of the Day. She said some of the most powerful recognition she’s received is from Indigenous children and their parents. She hopes this book and the honor help elevate their voices.

“To help Indigenous children feel seen and validated and adults and to know that their voices and their stories are worthy of everyone lifting them up,” Goade said.

Goade’s next book is a collaboration with author Tasha Spillett-Sumner called I Sang You Down from the Stars. It comes out in April. She’s also working on a book set in Southeast Alaska that focuses on traditional food gathering and generational knowledge.

Erin McKinstry is a Report for America corps member.