Vancouver, B.C. (May 15, 2025): The Game children’s book by gifted Indigenous storyteller Henry Charles (Ten Bears), an elder of the Musqueam First Nation xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, and breathtaking illustrations by Haida Nation X̱aad artist, Shoshannah Greene is now available. The book offers a vibrant introduction to Musqueam language and culture and inspires readers to rediscover hockey, a sport we know and love. A share of the sales from the book will be donated to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.
For Henry, inspiration struck on June 1, 2011. He was watching the Vancouver Canucks face off against the Boston Bruins in game one of their historic Stanley Cup final. Wanting to capture those feelings of celebration and determination, Henry sat down and wrote The Game, the story of Killer Whale and Black Bear’s first hockey game the next day. And with his gifts as an Indigenous storyteller, he was even able to “reimagine” that iconic game in a way that introduced the Musqueam language and culture to a new audience. He dedicated this story to the children of Canuck Place.
Story description: When Mene overhears Black Bear and Killer Whale arguing, he knows he must help. Black Bear thinks he can beat Killer Whale in any competition. Of course, Killer Whale disagrees! So, Mene devises a game for them to settle their argument once and for all. He turns the water to ice, makes bent branches into sticks, and fishing nets into goals. Then, he plucks a star from the sky above to be the puck. It's hockey! Who will win this new and wonderful game and receive the quey'scam trophy?
Before Henry left this world to become a respected ancestor, he gave children of the world a little snippet of his storytelling,” said Peter Leech who shares the foreword in the book. “The Game is a true reflection of Henry, who was a fierce competitor when he played sports. Off the field, he was gentle and firm with his teachings so that children could have a better and clearer understanding of the world we live in. He believed in peace and harmony for all human beings.”
Peter Leech, former professional hockey player and member of the T'it'q'et Community Village of the St'át'imc Tribal Nation
Greystone has a long history with hockey books, but never anything like The Game, a very special children’s book," said Rob Sanders, Founding Publisher and CEO of the Vancouver-based, independent publishing house, Greystone Books. "We are honoured to be associated with this imaginative and entertaining story about the birth of hockey which has been created by a gifted storyteller and a talented illustrator."
Rob Sanders, Founding Publisher and CEO of the Vancouver-based, independent publishing house, Greystone Books
The book celebrates resilience, joy and belonging; values held by the team at Canuck Place caring for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
This story is a gift of traditional and cultural teachings from Elder Henry Charles,” said Canuck Place CEO, Denise Praill. “ It is also a beautiful collaboration with the illustrations from Shoshannah Greene and of course a tribute to a friendship between Henry and John Rose, Canuck Place’s former board chair.”
Denise Praill, Canuck Place CEO
The Game can be purchased online or at select retailers.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Henry Charles (Ten Bears, 1955-2017) was an Elder of the Musqueam First Nation xʷməθkʷəy̓əm and resided on the Musqueam reserve in Vancouver. In addition to his role husband, father, and grandfather, Charles was an accomplished writer, storyteller, Indigenous historian, greeter and Musqueam speaker. He was regularly commissioned to do First Nation storytelling in local schools and served as the Vancouver Public Library’s Storyteller in Residence. In later years, Henry was a mentor for the Vancouver Downtown Eastside Society’s DUDES Club men’s support group.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: Shoshannah Greene was born and raised on Haida Gwaii, on the traditional territory of her paternal ancestors. Shoshannah chose to pursue a Bachelor’s of Media Arts with a major in Animation at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. She is a two-time Emerging Artist Scholarship Award recipient and worked with mentor artist Cori Savard and created her scholarship artwork, A Quiet Moment, that was part of the exhibition Indigeneity Rising: Celebrating our People, Our Stories, Our Traditions at the Museum of Vancouver in 2021.
ABOUT THE LANGUAGE: Thank you to the Musqueum Nation, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation səl̓ilw̓ət, Jim Kew (Kwes’Kwestin), and linguist Wayne Suttles for supporting language in the book. There are many sounds in the Musqueam language that can’t be reproduced in the Latin alphabet, which is used in English. If you are interested in learning more about hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, Musqueam’s traditional language please visit https://www.musqueam.bc.ca/departments/community-services/language/
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER: Greystone Kids is an imprint of the Vancouver-based, independently owned and operated publishing company, Greystone Books. Greystone Kids publishes innovative, informative, and fun books that readers will love, including numerous award-winning and acclaimed books that inspire and engage kids all around the world. In 2024, Greystone Kids received the presitigous Bologna Prize for the Best Children’s Publisher of the Year––North America. For more information, visit greystonebooks.com.
ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM LED BY JOHN ROSE: Henry Charles wrote the Game in 2011, but in 2010, Henry ran into his old friend, classmate, and rugby teammate, John Rose. At the time, John was the Chair of the Board of Directors for Canuck Place. When Henry learned this, he told his friend John he wanted to write a story and dedicate it to the children of Canuck Place. Henry finished his story – which he kept in a three-ring binder – but unfortunately he passed away before he could share it with the children at Canuck Place. It was years later when Henry’s widow, Holly Fairchild, told John she had found the binder. With the support of Megan Reid and Patrick Shannon and John, the book is now a gift to children everywhere!
ABOUT THE FOREWORD: Peter “Tecumseh” Leech is a former professional hockey player and member of the T'it'q'et Community Village of the St'át'imc Tribal Nation. Peter knew Henry for most of his life. Peter specializes in working with First Nations communities and organizations, public and private sector companies, individuals, teams, and youth in all aspects of life. He lives in Vancouver with his wife and children.
ABOUT CANUCK PLACE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE: Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is BC and the Yukon’s pediatric palliative care provider. Over 920 children living with life-threatening illnesses and families from five provincial health regions receive Canuck Place inpatient and community-based care (in home/in hospital). Canuck Place operates 10 patient beds and 8 family suites through two hospices in Vancouver and Abbotsford. Services include in-hospice medical respite and family support, pain and symptom management, provincial 24-Hour Clinical Care Line, music and recreation therapy, education and art, grief, loss, and bereavement counselling, as well as end-of-life care. With donors, research initiatives, our talented team, patient family partners, and over 330 volunteers, we care for children with short lives and the families who love them. To learn more about Canuck Place, visit canuckplace.org.
Media Contact:
Anna Stuber, Communications & Marketing Manager, Canuck Place Children's Hospice | anna.stuber@canuckplace.org | 604-562-0722
Anna Stuber, Communications & Marketing Manager, Canuck Place Children's Hospice | anna.stuber@canuckplace.org | 604-562-0722
