Celebrating Indigenous Storytelling Through Comics: The Xwémalhkwu Hero Stories Project

The UBC Comics Studies Cluster is excited to announce the completion of Xwémalhkwu Hero Stories: A Graphic Novel, a collaboration with the Homalco First Nation and Education without Borders (EwB).

Led by media personality Tchadas Leo (Homalco), this groundbreaking project translated three stories from Homalco Elders, highlighting moments of Coast Salish history through comic art.

The graphic novel is the result of the UBC Comics Studies Cluster’s “Remember Comics Project,” which commissioned three Indigenous cartoonists to visualize Homalco storytelling traditions and land-based knowledge. It features the comic art of Indigenous artists Alina Pete, Valen Onstine, and Gord Hill, whose works reflect a deep connection to Indigenous cultures and the work of storytelling.

In November 2023, the creative team embarked on a transformative journey to visit Bute Inlet, the ancestral territory of the Homalco people. Funded by a grant from the Partnership Recognition and Exploration (PRE) Fund and accompanied by Elders and members of the Homalco community, the team participated in a six-hour boat tour, learning firsthand about the land’s cultural significance. This immersive experience profoundly influenced the visual and narrative elements of the graphic novel.“This project has transformed how we think about comics,” said Dr. Biz Nijdam, Director of the UBC Comics Studies Cluster. “It highlights the relational and community-centered potential of this art form to preserve cultural heritage and foster reconciliation.”

With the graphic novel completed, the team is excited to expand its impact. Four book launches are planned for 2025, including events in Vancouver and on Vancouver Island. Additionally, the UBC Comics Studies Cluster is seeking funding to develop pedagogical materials to support the novel’s inclusion in K-12 classrooms, ensuring the stories reach a new generation of learners.

The Xwémalhkwu Hero Stories project exemplifies the UBC Comics Studies Cluster’s commitment to community-engaged research and the use of comics as a medium for education and social change. We look forward to continuing this vital work and exploring new ways to amplify Indigenous voices.

Stay tuned for updates on book launches and educational resources! Any individual or organization interested in purchasing the book is asked to reach out to the Homalco First Nation directly: heroes@homalco.com.

This project was co-funded by the Education without Borders, UBC Comics Studies Cluster, the Narratives Group in the UBC Centre for Migration Studies, the UBC Community Engagement Office, and the UBC Public Humanities Hub.