Illustrating Kindness: Brie Phillips and kisêwâtisi: Be Kind

Illustrations by Sun West Indigenous Perspectives Consultant Brie Phillips were recently published in the children’s book kisêwâtisi: Be Kind.  Written by Elizabeth Merasty, the book is a true account inspired by Elizabeth’s mother’s experiences as a student at the Sturgeon Landing Indian Residential School in northern Saskatchewan. Presented in both English and Cree, the book centres Cree values, resilience, and the enduring importance of kindness.

Brie, a Métis woman, originally from Creighton, Saskatchewan, was invited to illustrate the book by Elizabeth, a close friend and former colleague, Elizabeth, who was the Indigenous Perspectives Consultant with Sun West School Division before Brie. Their professional relationship began through Brie’s first children’s book, Roots, which she wrote and illustrated in honour of her grandmother’s memory.

Reflecting on being asked to illustrate kisêwâtisi: Be Kind, Brie writes, “I was honoured to be asked to illustrate this true story about the importance of traditional Cree values.” She explains that when Elizabeth shared her mother Catherine’s story, she framed it as a way to bring “more kindness, hope, and light to readers,” so Brie’s agreement to illustrate the book was immediate.

“I was raised to always be kind and treat others with respect,” Brie notes. “It is something that was instilled deep within me and I carry with me no matter where I go.” That grounding shaped both her connection to the story and her visual approach. The illustrations are intentionally gentle, offering young readers a sense of care within a history that carries significant weight.

For Phillips, illustrating the book was not only a creative opportunity but a responsibility. “To be able to help share that message in a good way is a gift,” she says. Her artwork aims to support the book’s emotional balance, but still acknowledge painful truths, while centering compassion and hope.

Kindness is the book’s guiding principle, echoed in one of its closing lessons from Catherine herself: you will never be sorry you were kind to anyone. As Phillips reflects, “Kindness is so important, it connects us and keeps us going.”

kisêwâtisi: Be Kind is available at The Twig and Squirrel, Indigo, McNally Robinson in Saskatoon and online through Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing at www.ymwp.ca and Strong Nations at www.strongnations.com. Through Brie’s illustrations and Elizabeth’s storytelling, the book offers young readers a meaningful introduction to history, language, and the enduring strength of kindness.