Brave Like the Buffalo – With Melissa & Jadyn
In children’s literature, the most powerful stories often stem from real-life inspiration and meaningful lessons. Brave Like the Buffalo, written by Melissa Allan and illustrated by Jadyn Fischer-McNab, is just that – a story of courage, perseverance, and the wisdom of Indigenous teachings. Jadyn and Melissa took the time to dive into their journey behind this incredible book, the inspiration behind its characters, and what they hope readers take away from it.
The Inspiration Behind Brave Like the Buffalo
The heart of Brave Like the Buffalo lies in an important lesson Melissa learned as a child.
"The original inspiration goes all the way back 25 years ago when I attended a school field trip at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary," she recalls. "An Indigenous Elder spoke to my class about how the bison run through storms to get through it faster, rather than away from it, prolonging the journey. He tied this into life and how we will encounter our own storms, and how important it is to face them head on."
This lesson became a guiding principle for Melissa’s family, and when she found herself navigating her own challenges, the story naturally took shape.
"I was in the thick of my own storm when I wrote Brave like the Buffalo and writing the book during that time in my life seemed almost serendipitous and the process was very healing."
The Writing Process
For Melissa, writing Brave Like the Buffalo was an organic experience. “The idea hit me so hard, and for any creative person out there, you know that when inspiration strikes, it’s all you can think about!” she says. “The story really just flowed out of me.”
We asked Melissa what her favourite lesson is from her book:
"My favourite lesson from Brave like the Buffalo is knowing that no matter how hard something seems, it’s never as bad as we make it out to be. It’s a reminder for me that when life seems hard and scary, to take a step back and realize we are a lot more capable than we think."
Jadyn's Reflections
Jadyn’s background as a Cree artist plays a significant role in her work. She shares some of her favourite teachings that she has learned along her personal journey:
"Growing up as an intergenerational Residential School survivor, I didn’t have a lot of implicit exposure or teachings related to my nation or culture. As I have been on my own journey of learning about my own heritage and the teachings associated with it, I connect with a few that my dad and uncle have shared with me."
"My favourite teaching my dad taught me was in relation to the act of Smudging."
"When smudging I really connected with how my dad taught me how to smudge, he related it being like washing your face in the morning, a routine that’s done to cleanse yourself and think good thoughts to set yourself on a good path. My favourite practice/teaching that we as a family do during family events/dinners is create an offering plate. Prior to everyone eating we collect a small portion of each dish served. The offering plate is intended to “feed” those who have passed on and is meant to be burned in a ceremonial fire or buried beneath a tree. After my grandpa passed it helped me feel more connected with him during family events. I always like to “give” him an extra helping of dessert."
The Meaning Behind the Buffalo
Choosing the buffalo as the central figure in the book was no coincidence. Melissa explains;
“They are such strong and powerful animals, it was important that it was a mother and baby duo enduring the storm together so that readers could relate to the characters.”
What do you hope readers take away from the book?
“As a teacher, I hope other educators use it as an act of reconciliation,” Jadyn shares. “Incorporating Indigenous art and stories into the classroom in an authentic way is so important.”
Melissa adds, “I hope it gives kids (and adults, too!) the belief that they are capable of achieving anything with determination. Fear and bravery go hand in hand. It’s okay to be afraid, but we have the ability to turn that fear into power."
Incorporating the Book’s Lessons into Daily Life
Both Melissa and Jadyn continue to live by the lessons in Brave Like the Buffalo every day.
“As an adult, I remind myself not to run away from things that are scary or tough,” Jadyn says. “Facing them head-on always works better in the end.”
For Melissa, the book’s message plays a role in parenting. “My six-year-old son faces new challenges all the time, and we use the book’s message to help him work through those big feelings. I hope he carries this wisdom into his own life one day.”
The Impact on Readers
Brave Like the Buffalo has already touched many lives! We asked Melissa and Jadyn to share some of the inspirational stories they've heard.
Jadyn shares: “My favourite story is one that I did not anticipate having. A family told me that they used the book to help their child with their fear of thunderstorms. With our focus on the metaphorical connection of storms I sort of forgot about how the actual storm could be interpreted, especially in younger audiences’ eyes. Another favourite story that stands out is when I am selling at markets, I often hear that their child’s favourite book is Brave Like the Buffalo and that they use the phrase “Be brave like the buffalo” to encourage themselves to do hard things. Lastly, as a teacher I love when children come up to my booth and tell me they read Brave Like the Buffalo at their school!"
Melissa also reflects on a particularly moving experience: “We have heard so many incredible stories that we love, but one story that stands out to me the most is when I did a book reading for an elementary school and a shy girl came up to me after and she quietly said, ‘I want to be an author just like you.’ When she said those words, I instantly got chills and realized that the book has many ripple effects. If I can play a small part in inspiring someone to follow their dreams, then I have done my job.”
She adds, “We have also had a handful of children with complex medical conditions read the book and their parents have expressed immense gratitude to us for the strong and encouraging messaging it provided them during their hardship.”
What Are Melissa and Jadyn Reading Right Now?
Jadyn: “My favourite book at this moment is Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I know I’m late to the game, but I’m absolutely loving it. I actually picked up the young reader’s edition because I really enjoy the graphics and the accessible format.”
Melissa: “Right now, I’m really into The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. It has been incredibly validating and has given me tools to navigate situations that once felt really challenging. It’s been a game-changer for me.”
Meet the Creators of Brave Like the Buffalo
Melissa Allan is a born and raised Alberta girl. She is a loving wife to her husband, Davis, and mother to her son, Hudson. She has a never-ending zest for creativity and is always eager to learn new things to help her grow. Melissa graduated from business administration in 2013 and has worked as an executive assistant while juggling passion projects and motherhood. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family in Bragg Creek, fishing with her dad, and doing anything crafty. Melissa grew up travelling the world with her family to places such as China, Egypt, and Europe, where she developed her love for all types of foods! As a child who suffered from anxiety, Melissa gravitated towards music and writing as a form of healing. She is passionate about creating tools and resources through her stories for children and families in hopes of helping to create a sense of community that people can relate to.
Jadyn Fischer-McNab is a Cree artist who was born and raised in Calgary (Mohkinstsis), Alberta on Treaty 7 territory. Jadyn studied at the University of Calgary where she received bachelor degrees in Kinesiology and Education in 2015 and 2018, respectively. Jadyn has worked as a full time junior high school teacher since she graduated in 2018. Jadyn also owns and operates her small stationery business, artbyJFM. She has products available online as well in a variety of stores across Alberta. Jadyn belongs to George Gordon First Nation and is an intergenerational Residential School survivor. Jadyn is passionate about breaking barriers and educating others by incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing and being into her art, her teaching and her life. Struggling with identity and internalized racism, Jadyn aspires to use creativity and art to inspire all to be unapologetically themselves. Follow Jadyn on Instagram -> @artbyjfm!
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