A moving fictional narrative tells of the real-life efforts to rescue and revitalize a nearly extinct horse breed. At Lac La Croix First Nation in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, two siblings are awake past their bedtime on “a special night.” As they anticipate an arrival, Nookomis offers to tell them the story of the Ojibwe horses, a pony native to—but now absent from—the land. Long ago, these “curious and friendly” ponies were captured by Indigenous people, who trained them to assist with manual labor in the fall and winter and let them roam free in the spring and summer so that they could have foals. By the time Nookomis was born, most ponies had been rounded up and killed by the government. The four that remained (all mares) were caught by the Indigenous community and transported across the frozen lake to Minnesota, where they would be safe. To preserve the breed, the farmer who took them in bred them with a mustang stallion, which continued the line and slowly increased the size of the herd. On this night, the siblings and other family members are awaiting the arrival of six Ojibwe horses, the first of the breed to return home. “Now you are part of the story, too,” Nookomis tells her grandchildren as they joyfully greet the animals. An Afterword provides additional interesting information about this unique breed and its importance to the Ojibwe people.

"Across the Ice tells this little-known story through the gentle voice of Nookomis, along with glowing illustrations in a vibrant palette and clean, crisp lines...This gorgeous book is a must-read in ELA and social-studies classes." --Booklist (starred review)

Discover the history of the endangered Ojibwe horse and the daring intervention of the Lac La Croix First Nation in this celebration of community, tradition, courage, and hope.

It's a cold, snowy night at Lac La Croix First Nation, and two siblings are too excited to fall asleep. The horses are coming tonight! Amid the buzz of aunties and uncles and cousins, Nookomis tells a story that began many years ago, when their people shared the land with herds of wild ponies. In a symbiotic relationship, the people provided the horses with food and shelter, while the horses helped them run traplines and travel. But after many years had passed, and the herd had dwindled to four, the government threatened to shoot them. It was time to move the remaining horses to safety--but getting them there would be harder than they thought! Follow the true story of a "heist across the ice" from Ontario to Minnesota and learn how a small herd of hardy, indigenous horses returned years later to their native land. Rich illustrations honor the life of the Ojibwe people over time, as well as the land and living things that have survived under their stewardship.