New children’s book explores Afro-Indigenous identity through family and history

At the beginning of February, author Marique B. Moss released a children’s book titled, "My Afro-Indigenous Superpower." The book follows the story of a young girl named Meeka as she learns more about her identity and family history. 

Moss is an Afro-Indigenous educator and author. She is a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation in North Dakota. She is also the co-owner of Mashkiki Studios, an apothecary, educational space and creative studio in south Minneapolis.

Moss said she released the book in conjunction with Black History Month, which began on Feb. 1. The month celebrates the history, achievements and contributions of African American people across the United States. 

“Meeka goes through a journey, and she doesn't know what exactly Afro-Indigenous means. And stereotypes play into it, like, what is too Native, or what is Black enough?” she shared. 

In the book, Meeka’s father explains what Afro-Indigenous means. He says Afro means African and Indigenous means first peoples, and that Meeka is both. 

Moss said Meeka’s story reflects her own memories from her childhood.

“Meeka was my nickname growing up. My sister could not say ‘Marique’ at all. She said Meeka. And so, Meeka sort of sticked,” Moss said. 

The book begins with Meeka looking at herself in the mirror. 

“I struggled so much up until the point where I was in my mid-20s, saying, ‘I don't even know if I'm Native, or if people are just going to see me as XYZ,’” Moss said.  

The story then follows Meeka as she learns about her family's history on both sides, highlighting resilience and strength to persevere through hard times. The book touches on the history of slavery and boarding schools in the United States while also explaining traditions in both African American and Native American cultures.

Meeka learns that resilience and strength are her family's “superpowers,” as is the tradition of passing down stories from one generation to the next.  

“When she learns all those things, she does ultimately end up learning her superpower. And she is ecstatic, and she shows everybody at school,” Moss said. “It really grounds her and she internalizes her identity.” 

Moss said illustrator Adair Carroll portrays Meeka’s identity “beautifully” throughout the book.

One of the book’s illustrations shows Meeka with her hair pulled up into a hairstyle Moss says is called an Afro puff. She is wearing a ribbon skirt and moccasins with flowers in her hair. Meeka shares what she has learned about her family with classmates. 

Another illustration Moss said she loves is one where Meeka is standing in front of a mirror again — this time, her grandmothers are by her side and smiling back at her. 

“She knows that she's got the strength of all her ancestors because her parents told her so, and she looked through all of her family history,” Moss said.

The book ends with Meeka discovering that being her true self is her superpower, a message which Moss wanted to share with children of all backgrounds. 

“They'll see the book, and they'll instantly say, ‘Hey, she looks like me.’ And they will be absolutely captivated,” Moss said. “I think that's where the representation matters.” 

Chandra Colvin covers Native American communities in Minnesota for MPR News via Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues and communities.

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