Yo! Wiksas? / Hi! How Are You?

Yo! Wiksas? / Hi! How Are You?  is an illustrated conversation between Isla and Ethan — daughter and son of Kwakwaka’wakw Chief Rande Ola K’alapa (Cook), a much loved artist of mixed European and Indigenous decent — and their invisible friend Siri. Isabel Rogers, also a kid, is part of the storytelling process.

Consider this book to be a bridge, a route to one important thing: Kindness… We want lots and lots of kids to share in our fun and to think about their own questions, and discover their own answers.

“Squirrel Nation and discerning kids everywhere will be delighted with this fun, fast-paced, and rollicking collection of poems by Linda Rogers, accompanied by silk screen images by Chief Rande Cook. Yo! Wiksas? is an innovative fusion of Kwakwaka’wakw art, Kwak’wala terms, and delightful English-language verse.” —Richard Mackie, Editor, The Ormsby Review

“This is sound evidence of true reconciliation based on mutual respect and regard, the embodiment of inter-cultural collaboration that – especially for children – is essential in a divided world.” —Karen Lee White, author of The Silence

“I received this brilliant book and went through it cover to cover twice now. Wow! What a journey. I will be reading this to my little grandchildren when I see them.The collaboration between Linda, Rande and the kids is amazing.” —Christine Gunsie Hunt, President of the Kwakiutl Fisheries Commission, Commissioner at Agricultural Land Commission, contributor to Awakwis newspaper

Rande Cook is represented by several important galleries which respect his voice as a ground breaker in contemporary Canadian northwest coast culture and urban Indigenous reality. Fluidity of line, innovation in colour and design, and wit are the hallmarks of his art, which is a natural companion to oral storytelling. Next spring, Rande will curate a major show of art by “Coast Protectors,” a personal mission shared by Linda Rogers. He tells the stories of his N’amgis, Ma’amtagila and Mamalilikala people through blending tradition and innovation.

Linda Rogers of Victoria, British Columbia, is a past Poet Laureate and Canadian People’s Poet of Victoria, who writes poetry, fiction, song lyrics, scripts, and literary criticism. She has been awarded the Gwendolyn MacEwen, Livesay, Leacock, National Poetry, Rukeyser, Acorn, Cardiff, Montreal, Kenney, Voices Israel, Prix Anglais and Bridport literary prizes.