Meet Little Dakota — an upcoming storybook project inspired by the northern roots, life experience and storytelling spirit of Dakota House.
Created for young readers and families, the stories will explore the land, animals, seasons, family, respect, responsibility and Cree cultural connections that have been carried forward for generations.
A children's story rooted in a real northern journey.
Dakota House is known to generations of Canadians for his role as TeeVee Tenia on North of 60. Beyond the screen, he is an author, father, youth mentor and member of Tall Cree First Nation in northern Alberta. Little Dakota begins with those real roots — then opens a gentle story world for children.
HERITAGE & CULTURE
Learning where we come from.
Little Dakota is being developed around a simple idea: children can learn about identity, belonging and respect through stories that connect them to people, place and the natural world.
01
Land
The forest, water, sky and changing seasons are not just a setting. They are part of the story and part of how young readers learn to notice the world around them.
02
Family
Stories can carry knowledge between generations. Little Dakota will celebrate listening, learning, helping and the bonds between children, parents, grandparents and community.
03
Respect
Respect for people, animals, the land and the gifts we are given will sit at the heart of the story — shown through everyday choices children can understand.
04
Story
Storytelling is a way to remember, teach and connect. The book will bring cultural learning into a warm, adventurous format made for reading together.
A note on the four colors
Yellow, red, black and white are used here as the visual foundation of the website. Medicine Wheel teachings and the placement or meaning of colors can differ between Nations, communities and Knowledge Keepers. The final book's cultural teachings and language should be reviewed with Dakota House and appropriate Tall Cree knowledge holders before publication.
REAL NATURE. REAL CURIOSITY.
The north has always been a classroom.
Long before a child opens a textbook, the land offers things to notice: tracks in the snow, the return of birds, the sound of water, the shape of spruce trees, the glow of the northern sky and the way each season changes what animals and people do.
Little Dakota will make those everyday discoveries part of the adventure — encouraging children to look closer, ask questions and learn through nature.
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Animals — tracks, habitats and respectful observation
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Seasons — how the northern world changes through the year
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Land & Water — forests, rivers, lakes and the places that sustain life
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Sky — weather, stars and the wonder of looking up
THE HEART OF THE SERIES
“Know where you come from. Respect what is around you. Carry good things forward.”
A guiding editorial theme for the Little Dakota story project.
A CHILDREN'S STORY
LITTLE DAKOTA
Stories From the Land
COMING SOON
THE FIRST STORYBOOK
A new nature-and-culture adventure for young readers.
The first Little Dakota story is being imagined as an easy-to-read children's book that families can enjoy together — grounded in real nature, northern life and cultural connection.
01Warm, simple storytelling for children
02Nature-based discovery and adventure
03Cultural themes presented with care and respect
04Created to encourage conversation between generations
The website is ready to grow with Little Dakota. Future phases can include new stories, printable activities, family learning resources and an optional subscription for families who want new content throughout the year.
FUTURE FEATURE
Little Dakota Story Club
Seasonal stories, nature activities and family resources.
The subscription is intentionally inactive. Stripe Checkout or Stripe Billing can be connected when the Story Club is ready to launch.
MEET THE WRITER
Dakota House — actor, author, facilitator & youth mentor.
For many Canadians, Dakota House first became familiar as Trevor “TeeVee” Tenia on CBC’s North of 60. But his story has continued far beyond the screen. A member of Tall Cree First Nation in northern Alberta, Dakota has built a decades-long career in film and television while dedicating more than two decades to working with young people and Indigenous communities across North America.
On screenDakota House built a decades-long career in Canadian film and television.North of 60 eraKnown to generations of viewers as TeeVee Tenia.A young storytellerHis screen career began long before Little Dakota.Across the yearsActor, author and storyteller.Dakota House todayWriter, facilitator and youth mentor.Going M.I.L.E.S.More than two decades devoted to youth and communities.Speaking & mentoringSharing experience through workshops and community events.Across the landWorking with youth, schools, Nations and community leaders.Culture & identityHeritage, lived experience and connection are part of the story behind Little Dakota.
A photographic look at Dakota House across his screen career, community work and life as a storyteller. Images are stored locally with this website package.
From the screen to stories for the next generation.
Dakota began acting as a young man and rose to national recognition through North of 60, portraying TeeVee Tenia across the landmark series and later television films. His screen work has also included The X-Files, Dreamkeeper, One Dead Indian, Heartland and Blackstone.
Writing for children is also part of his history. Dakota previously authored Dancers in the Sky, a children’s story connected to Cree storytelling and the northern lights. Little Dakota continues that commitment to helping young readers discover stories grounded in land, nature, heritage and lived experience.
ActorAuthorFatherFacilitatorYouth MentorTall Cree First Nation
1990sNational recognition through North of 60
2002Children’s author of Dancers in the Sky
20+ yearsMentoring and empowering youth
2022Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal
FOLLOW THE JOURNEY
The first Little Dakota story is coming.
Join the early list for book news, first looks and launch updates.
