Cameron Mukwa

Cameron Mukwa is an illustrator primarily working in graphic novels. His work shares his Anishinaabe heritage through storytelling and pattern design, as well as his lived experience as a nonbinary transgender person. He loves bright colors and bold designs that represent people of all backgrounds, and his passion is making art about being trans and happy, showing kids of all ages that it’s good to be different. His debut graphic novel The Ribbon Skirt (Scholastic/Graphix, Nov 2024) received four starred reviews! Read more about his debut in this interview on Cynsations blog. He also illustrated Beyond They/Them: 20 Influential and Gender-Diverse People You Should Know by Em Dickson coming in May 2025.

Cameron uses gouache, markers, and digital media. His inspiration comes from the resilience of his family and his own lived experience as a Two Spirit person. Common themes in his work are transgender life, gender euphoria, urban fantasy, and Indigenous narrative. His ideal projects would include illustrations that illuminate the LGBTQ and BIPOC experience, symbolic works of fantasy of science fiction, or explorations of established properties from a non-white, non-straight perspective. He also would love to tackle a picture book project. More from Cameron can be found at cameronmukwa.com.

Praise for The Ribbon Skirt:

★ “Mukwa clearly and concisely communicates the nature of being two-spirited in this dazzling graphic novel debut… An enlightening and satisfying look at one child’s desire to advocate for themself and be respected by those around them.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ “This graphic novel tugs at the heartstrings. The story, though simple on the surface, explores deep themes of acceptance, friendship, belonging, and hope.” — School Library Journal, starred review

★ “The end of the book has engaging and informative details about topics including the history of ribbon skirts as well as how to behave if you visit a public powwow. A thorough bibliography and a series of informative author’s notes for anyone interested in the history, culture, or the Southwestern Ojibwe words and phrases woven throughout the story wrap up the work. A heartwarmingly lovely story of a two-spirit child finding self-confidence, acceptance, and joy.” — Booklist, starred review

★ “Mukwa, a two-spirit Anishinaabe educator, gracefully portrays a Native kid exploring intersecting identities and finding unexpected pillars of strength and encouragement… [A] joyous graphic novel debut.” — Shelf Awareness, starred review

“Give this book to anyone who needs a bit of reassurance that they’re courageous enough to be themselves.” — The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books