这位艺术家刚刚成为第一位获得卡尔德科特儿童图书插图奖章的美国原住民

迈克尔·高德（Michaela Goade）刚把她的名字刻在历史书中.

This week she became the first Native American to win the Randolph Caldecott Medal for her illustrations in the children’s book “我们是水的保护者,” 根据 American Library Association. 的 Caldecott Medal is a prestigious award given annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

Michaela Goode is the first Native American to win the Caldecott Medal for children’s book illustration.

“It’s a great honor to be the first Indigenous artist to win this award, but I am of course standing on many shoulders,” Goade, a member of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, said in a statement to CNN. “I think it’s important to acknowledge and reflect on the significance of being the first in 2021, while also looking towards the future with much hope. I won’t be the last! It brings me so much joy to think about Indigenous youth who will see themselves in this recognition and know that their stories are powerful and value.”

“我们是水的保护者” was written by Carole Lindstrom, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe. The story follows a young Native American girl as she takes a stand against a black snake threatening to poison her people’s water, according to the book’s description.

The snake, which is shaped like a pipe in the book, represents the Dakota Access Pipeline — a controversial crude oil project that spans 1,172 英里 and extends over four states — and is a reference to the Black Snake Prophecy, according to Goade.

The book draws its inspiration from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s struggle to stop the construction of the pipeline. 在 2016, the tribe filed a complaint in federal court alleging “the construction and operation of the pipeline … threatens the Tribe’s environmental and economic well-being, and would damage and destroy sites of great historic, 宗教的, and cultural significance to the Tribe.”

“I wanted to make the Standing Rock water protectors proud while also speaking to everyone, particularly children,” explained Goade. “As I learned more about this historic gathering of over 500 Native Nations and non-Native allies from around the world, I was so moved and inspired. This book helped me better understand the work I can do and the world I can help change as an artist activist. For that I’ll always be grateful.”

The American Library Association announced the award Monday.

“Michaela Goade’s semi-translucent color palette beautifully bathes every page with powerful illustrations,” 说过 Annisha Jeffries, Caldecott Medal committee chair.

Lindstrom also congratulated Goade, 在推特上写, “I have no words to describe how proud of you I am. I love you so so much. You are so extremely talented and just an amazing person inside and out. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! So very well deserved. I wish I could hug you in person!”

“我们是水的保护者” was published in March 2020 通过 Roaring Brook Press.