David Bouchard (Métis)
Illustrated by Andy Everson (K'omoks & Kwakwaka’wakw)
North Vancouver: More Than Words Books
2008 ISBN 0978432703, 9780978432706
28 pages
This book is an allegory – the chief is searching to understand his true nature/character. During his search of identity, the chief seeks counsel with the various animals of the forest. The chief wants to erect a totem to reflect his true self and the beaver, bear, wolf, eagle, and otter are eager to win his favour by providing him with gifts. However, it is raven that sheds light on the chief’s quest by asking him to look at his reflection in the water.
Artist Andy Everson has created exquisite full-page scenes. With mastery over his craft, he mixes realism with the imagery of the mystic world. His artwork is a perfect pairing to the text.
A beautiful book that is sure to capture all readers’ imagination time and time again. The theme of self-discovery transcends all cultures and will be appreciated by those who read the story and see the illustrations.
Themes: First Nations, identity, self-discovery, and art.
Grade level: grade 3 to intermediate
Shi-shi-etko
Nicola I. Campbell (Interior Salish)
Illustrated by Kim LaFave
Toronto: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press
2005 ISBN 978-0888996596 (hardcover with dust jacket)
32 pages
and
Shin-chi's Canoe
Nicola I. Campbell (Interior Salish)
Illustrated by Kim LaFave
Toronto: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press
2008 ISBN 978-0888998576 (hardcover with dust jacket)
40 pages
Shi-shi-etko
After four days and nights, Shi-shi-etko must leave her home to attend residential school. Leading up to the departure of the world she knows, she spends her remaining days consuming the riches and beauty of her home. The people dearest to her impart knowledge and tender moments: bathing in the river with her mother, her father singing her grandfather’s song, and her grandmother teaching her about plant medicines and foods.The book is bittersweet, the love and memories are held fast to her heart but she must say goodbye to those people who provide such strength.
The author, Nicola I. Campbell, writes a short explanation about the residential school imposed on aboriginal peoples in Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand. This foreword will give the reader some very basic information about this time in history and give some perspective on the story.
Shin-Chi's Canoe
The is the sequel to Nicola I. Campbell’s Shi-shi-etko story of young children forced to leave their homes to attend residential schools. In this story, Shi-shi-etko’s little brother has to go to school. However, this book gives some details about the harshness of the school system, For example, the ate very poorly while the teachers ate very well, how she could not speak to her brother, and how they cut her braids and washed her hair with kerosene.Illustrations by Kim LaFave
The art in both books are by Kim LaFave. His digital illustrators are warm with colours of red orange, browns, and greens. In both books, it appears as though the viewer is observing the characters and scenes from above or at a distance. In the first book, there are pages after pages of precious moments captured of the main character in nature. The lines are not well defined therefore the scenes almost look dreamlike. However the second story, Shin-Chi's Canoe, some of the images are bland – yellowish browns – to represent the sad moments in the residential school. But, the second story also juxtaposes the sad with the comforting moments of their real home and family.
Themes: First Nations, residential schools, and social studies.
Grade levels: intermediate
Catherine Jameson (Shuswap Okanagan/Syilx)
Illustrated by Julie Flett (Métis)
Penticton: Theytus Books
2006 ISBN 978-1-894778-43-5
32 pages
The reader tags along with a little girl and father through the forest looking for a fawn’s mother. On this woodland journey, the curious girl spots various animals. Her father patiently allows her the time to explore. A tender book that is simply written but very endearing. Extra information is given to the reader; the names of animals are also written in Okanagan (Syilx).
Award winning illustrator by Julie Flett adds to endearing quality of the story. The gentleness of the father with his daughter is beautifully portrayed. The uncomplicated but pretty artwork is created by layering textured and coloured paper.
Themes: First Nations, art, and family.
Grade levels: primary
Thomas King
(Cherokee & Greek descent)
Illustrated by William Kent Monkman
(Swampy Cree & English-Irish descent)
Toronto: Groundwood Books
2007 ISBN 978-0-88899-830-9
32 pages
Thomas King wrote a satire about the journey of Columbus from the Old World to North America. The Creator takes the form of coyote, the trickster, who when bored can create incredible mischief. The book is filled with silliness – text and illustrations smash stereotypes with humour. The sacred tale of how ‘Columbus sailed the ocean blue’ is turned on its head. Out-of-date symbols of the modern world are drawn into each scene – there are clowns, an Elvis impersonator, Columbus and his friends trotting about in stilettos, and a moose with curlers in his hair. This book challenges the reader to consider different perspectives on historical events, to consider whose version of the truth are you willing to believe.
Themes: First Nations, humour/satire, social studies, and stereotypes
Grade level: elementary and secondary
Larry Loyie (Cree)
and Constance Brissenden
Illustrated by Heather D. Holmlund.
Penticton: Theytus Books
2005 ISBN 978-1-894778-42-8
48 pages.
20 Full Color illustrations
The difficult subject matter of contracting HIV/AIDS is discussed in this story written by Cree writer Larry Loyie and his partner Constance Brissenden. The writers tackle the sensitivities and fears that people in a small knit-tight community have when faced with a disease that fuels alarm and fright.
During a community and extended family gathering, a young brother and sister learn that their favourite older cousin has contracted the HIV disease. Along with the siblings, the reader witnesses how they and the community deal with the news and move beyond fear.
This story could take place anywhere is Canada and could be any First Nation community. General First Nation culture and traditions are interwoven into the story. The story and beautiful watercolour paintings make the story accessible to any child from any background. The illustrator, Heather D. Holmlund, paints full page and part page depictions of the story. Close-up portraits wonderfully expose the emotions of the characters.
Themes: First Nations, HIV/AIDS, acceptance, socials, and family.
Grade level: intermediate grades, 10 - 12 years.
Amanda Reid-Stevens (Haida)
Illustrated by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas (Haida)
Vancouver: Benjamin Brown Books
2010 ISBN 978-0-9782553-6-7
32 page (full-colour, jacketed, hardcover)
The author of this precious book is the daughter of renowned Haida artist Bill Reid. She tells the charming tale of Loos Taas, a 50-foot carved cedar canoe. The translation of the name means “Wave Eater”. The story is written in rhyme – four lines to a page with the last word on each second line rhymes.
On the opposing page, Haida artist Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas frames the creation of the canoe in traditional shapes of Haida art form such as the ovoid, U form, and S form. The pages are dark deep colours that contrast the pastel painted images and force the art to burst from the page. This small book is similar to a coffee table book – the printing quality is exquisite. The pages have a nice weight and a smooth finish. The flyleaf at the beginning of the book is velum with a copper design of the boat that is embossed.
Even though this lovely story is written in rhyme, it is a true story about the creation of the boat and the community who made her. This book could be classified as an illustrated storybook or non-fiction.
The ‘afterword’ describes in more detail about the boat such as the boat was built for Expo ’86 and it was approximately hundred years since a boat was carved in Skidegate, Haida Gwaii.
Theme: First Nations, history, art, engineering, and language arts.
Grade level: all grades, lots of classroom potential.
A Man Called Raven
Richard Van Camp (Dogrib)
Illustrated by George Littlechild (Plains Cree)
San Francisco: Children's Book Press
1997 ISBN 0-89239-144-8 (full-colour, jacketed, hardcover)
29 pages
Two pre-teen boys who are caught tormenting a raven one afternoon learn the consequences of their actions. Along with the boys, the reader learns about First Nation folklore and animal legends from the stranger who catches them being cruel to the bird. Through oral storytelling, the stranger recounts to them a traditional story. The story has a moral – respecting nature’s animals. The end of the story has a quiet surprise that delight the readers once they figure out what has happened.
The book is beautifully illustrated book by internationally acclaimed Cree artist George Littlechild. His use of bold pastel colours and paints fill the page with whimsical and imaginative artwork that enhances the story. Littlechild is an artist, not an illustrator – his artistry is in a league of its own.
Themes: First Nations, social responsibility, oral tradition, and visual arts.
Grade level: primary grades
Grade level: primary grades
What’s the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About HorsesRichard Van Camp (Dogrib)
Illustrated by George Littlechild (Plains Cree)
San Francisco: Children's Book Press
1998 ISBN-10-0-89239-185-5 (soft cover)
32 pages
There is an old adage: “There are no stupid questions.” The author considers a question during a very cold winter day in Northwest Territories of Canada. He asks his family members and friend – George Littlechild – what is the most beautiful thing they know about horses. This simple question has a wide variety of answers. The language is beautiful and has some nice metaphors and descriptive illusions.
These conversations in the storybook are gorgeously complimented by the artwork of George Littlechild. Each page has vivid mixed-media artwork that gives Littlechild’s vision of the story. He uses colours and patterns in unexpected ways. This is the second storybook that Van Camp and Littlechild have successfully worked together.
Themes: First Nations, language arts, family, friendship, and visual arts.
Grade level: primary grades.
The Little HummingbirdVancouver: Greystone Books
2010 ISBN 978-1-55365-533-6 (hardcover with dust jacket)
18 pages
A North Pacific retelling of a South American indigenous story about a determined hummingbird who confronts fear in her attempt to save the forest from fire. While all the other animals watch in horror as their home is engulfed in flames, the hummingbird races to a stream to collect as much water as she can to drop on the fire. As each animal speaks of helplessness, the little bird performs the futile attempt of damping the fire by dropping one drop of water at a time. The bear asks why she tries. The hummingbird stops to respond – “I’m doing everything I can”.
Internationally acclaimed Haida artist, Michael Yahgulanaas, creates a beautifully striking book with three colours: black, red, and cream. Yahgulanaas is a master of the drawn line; he employs the more traditional First Nation North West Coast design motifs in his art for this book. Each spread background is either cream or red. The images are outlined in black. If the background is red, the images are black outlined with cream centers. Each creature is fluid yet detailed, there is no need for extra images on the page. That would only clutter and distract the reader.
At the end of the book there is a message from Nobel Peace Price laureate Wangari Maathai. About thirty years ago, she began to plant trees in Kenya after deforestation. In her message, she encourages people to think about what they can do for the earth and the environment.
The book also provides information about the hummingbird, for example, how far they can travel. In this section, we also learn about how the hummingbird is revered in various cultures.
Themes: environment, socials, and art.
Grade level: all grades.
Juvenile/Young Readers Novels
Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton (Inuvialuit)
Illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes
Toronto: Annick Press
2010 ISBN 978-1-55451-247-8 (bound)
ISBN 978-1-55451-246-1 (pbk.)
112 pages
This is a true story of one of the authors – Margaret Pokiak-Fenton – who desperately wanted to learn how to read and demanded to go to the residential school. Her father went there as a boy and tried to warn her of all the harshness but Margaret wanted to read books. Unfortunately, Olemaun – now Margaret – is facing all her father warned her at the school. Throughout the book, the reader is given a snapshot of the hard work, poor food, and cultural alienation forced on these children. However Olemaun is a feisty girl who is able to attain her goal and remain true to herself.
The novel is honestly written, exposing all the complexities of the situation: how the desire to learn to read was strong enough to allow her to be removed from her loving family, how one nun was warm and considerate while another cold and cruel, how rivalry between various Inuit groups continued even though they faced a common hardship, and how after a time at the residential school can make any child feel like an outsider once returned back home.
The novel is beautifully laid out in chapters with illustrations, maps, photos, and definitions of Inuit words in shaded boxes discretely found at the bottom of the page. The original artwork by Liz Amini-Holmes depicts various scenes in the novel. The colour palette is softer tones except for the striking red stockings Olemaun must wear. While the children have soft round faces, the nuns are illustrated with sharp pointy angles. Their noses, fingers, the folds of their habit are all dangerously pointy.
Throughout the book there are thumbnail images of photographs off to the side of the page indicating where to find the larger image. At the back of the book, there is Olemaun’s Scrapbook with the enlarged photos with an explanation written underneath. These black and white photos add greatly to the story – the reader is able to see their beautifully crafted parkas, her family, and community. And, there are pictures of the school, nuns, and school children crammed into classrooms wearing their itchy uniforms.
Grade level: intermediate
Themes: biography, Inuit, arctic, residential school, self-esteem, abuse, community, and Canadian history
Guided reading level: Fountas and Pinnell T
My Name is Seepeetza
Shirley Sterling (Interior Salish)
Toronto: Groundwood Books
1992 ISBN 978-0-88899-165-2 (pbk.)
1992 ISBN 978-0-88899-165-2 (pbk.)
126 pages
Seepeetza is a twelve-year-old girl who must leave her family to attend a residential school run by nuns in the 1950s. The reader learns about her dual life in Kalamak, British Columbia. At home, she is Seepeetza. Here, she has unconditional love, feels secure, and is part of a community. At residential school, she is Margaret. There, she must obey rules – rules on religion, hairstyles, and when she is allowed to speak to other children.
The reader cannot help but contemplate how difficult it must have been for First Nation children to be put in this unnatural environment. However, the novel also sheds some light on Interior Salish Nation community and culture.
The book is written in a diary format and is divided into small chapters based on entry dates. The book is told from the point of view of the girl. The vocabulary is not too difficult but some students may find the history and particular situations to be so. Nevertheless, citizens of each country should acknowledge its actions and our children have the right to know about Canada – the good and the bad. This story is a good introductory point to learn about the impacts of a law that tore aboriginal children away from their families.
Themes: Residential schools, family, prejudice, loneliness, bullying, economic hardship, survival, and Catholicism.
Grade level: Grade 6 and up.
Young Adult Novel
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time IndianSherman Alexie (Spokane/Coeur d'Alene)
Illustrated by Ellen Forney
Boston: Little Brown & Co.
2007 ISBN 978-0-316-01368-0 (pbk.)
288 pages
The novel juxtaposes the severity of life with humour. Sherman’s writing style reminds me of the Canadian Cree play write Tomson Highway. However, this sophisticated sense of humour and bitter irony may be lost on some of the younger readers.
The protagonist is a high school boy who decides to leave his reservation school to attend the local school in the town of Spokane, Washington. He writes down his thoughts and the events of the school year in his diary along with creative doodles. These drawings are very representative of what a teenager may draw. Here, humour is once again given an opportunity to present itself.
The novel touches on many trials and tribulations that a person may face in a lifetime. Sadly, Arnold “Junior” Spirit seems to face one difficulty and tragedy after another. Yet, he tries to remain hopeful about his future with every small victory he earns.
The illustrator, Ellen Forney, draws little black and white sketches. She captures the style of doodles that are commonly seen in student notebooks. A few drawings have a self-deprecating quality about himself or his culture, for example, relations drinking too much alcohol. These funny yet sad drawings add to the complexity of the main character’s situation.
Themes: Racism, poverty, friendship, prejudice, death, alcoholism, and sportsmanship.
Grade level: Grade 9 and up.
Non-fiction
A Michif Alphabet (L’alfabet di Michif)
Julie Flett (Métis)
Vancouver: Simply Read Books
2009 ISBN 978-1-897476-28-4 (full-colour, jacketed, hardcover)
size 7.5 x 8.25 inches
56 pages
A beautiful alphabet book with award winning graphics by Métis artist Julie Fleet is sure to delight and inform the reader. This little book is a capsule on Métis culture and Michif language. Besides the alphabet, there are notes about the language: until more recently, it has been an oral language; there are no q or x sounds therefore those letters are not in the book; and guides on pronunciation.
Each spread has a letter with a Michif word and an English translation. If the reader knows some French, they can try to guess the translation. For example, “B” is for “Li Bafloo” or buffalo and “P” is for “la pwii” or rain. However, some letters have only one word that translates to an entire expression, for example, “A” is for “Atayookee!” or “Tell a story!” and “M” is for “Manishow” or “He/she is picking berries”.
The page is mostly white with the letter and Michif word in colour while the English word is in black. The font choice is fine and elegant. The Michif text colour changes to compliments the artwork. The artwork can bleed off the page and sometimes takes a strip of the other page too. On other occasions, the background is white and some of the images float on the page. Many images are taken from nature or people out in nature. The artist uses a limited colour palette – organic tones with darker colours catching your eye on the neutral foregrounds. She creates these beautiful images by mixing traditional and digital mediums.
Themes: First Nations Peoples, Social Studies, and Art.
Grade level: K-7
The Caribou Feed Our Soul
Mindy Willett, Pete Enzoe (Chipewyan Dene), Tessa MacIntosh
Markham: Fifth House Books
2010 ISBN-10: 1897252676 (hardcover)
32 pages
One of the authors is Pete Enzoe who is a Denésôliné (Chipewyan) from the community of Łutsël K’é, Northwest Territories. He passes along the knowledge he has gained from his forefathers to his nephews. This book reflects modern times, they use snowmobiles and other technology but certain traditions remain strong. Caribou is a vital part of who they are and this animal is interwoven into their culture. Even though they hunt the caribou, their respect for the animal is undeniable and the animal is not wasted.
Proud to be Inuvialuit: Quviahuktunga Inuvialuugama
James Pokiak (Inuvialuit) and Mindy Willett
Markham: Fifth House Books
2010 ISBN-10: 9781897252598 (hardcover)
32 pages
This non-fiction book explores what it means to be Inuvialuit and the important practice of harvesting and preparing beluga meat. The author, James Pokiak, and his daughter, Rebecca, set out to hunt a beluga. During their journey above the Artic Ocean, the readers learn of their traditional beliefs and survival skills.
Both of these information books are part of a series called: The Land is Our Storybook. They are nicely laid out with information easily found by looking at the table of contents, headlines, glossary, or index. The text is a larger size and broken up into manageable pieces for the reader. Besides maps and a few examples of beadwork, the books are also a photo essay. The photos document the lives of the north and give more details than the words can ever provide.
Themes: non-fiction, Inuit, arctic, family, community, and social studies.
Grade level: intermediate
Julie Flett (Métis)
Vancouver: Simply Read Books
2009 ISBN 978-1-897476-28-4 (full-colour, jacketed, hardcover)
size 7.5 x 8.25 inches
56 pages
A beautiful alphabet book with award winning graphics by Métis artist Julie Fleet is sure to delight and inform the reader. This little book is a capsule on Métis culture and Michif language. Besides the alphabet, there are notes about the language: until more recently, it has been an oral language; there are no q or x sounds therefore those letters are not in the book; and guides on pronunciation.
Each spread has a letter with a Michif word and an English translation. If the reader knows some French, they can try to guess the translation. For example, “B” is for “Li Bafloo” or buffalo and “P” is for “la pwii” or rain. However, some letters have only one word that translates to an entire expression, for example, “A” is for “Atayookee!” or “Tell a story!” and “M” is for “Manishow” or “He/she is picking berries”.
The page is mostly white with the letter and Michif word in colour while the English word is in black. The font choice is fine and elegant. The Michif text colour changes to compliments the artwork. The artwork can bleed off the page and sometimes takes a strip of the other page too. On other occasions, the background is white and some of the images float on the page. Many images are taken from nature or people out in nature. The artist uses a limited colour palette – organic tones with darker colours catching your eye on the neutral foregrounds. She creates these beautiful images by mixing traditional and digital mediums.
Themes: First Nations Peoples, Social Studies, and Art.
Grade level: K-7
Mindy Willett, Pete Enzoe (Chipewyan Dene), Tessa MacIntosh
Markham: Fifth House Books
2010 ISBN-10: 1897252676 (hardcover)
32 pages
One of the authors is Pete Enzoe who is a Denésôliné (Chipewyan) from the community of Łutsël K’é, Northwest Territories. He passes along the knowledge he has gained from his forefathers to his nephews. This book reflects modern times, they use snowmobiles and other technology but certain traditions remain strong. Caribou is a vital part of who they are and this animal is interwoven into their culture. Even though they hunt the caribou, their respect for the animal is undeniable and the animal is not wasted.
James Pokiak (Inuvialuit) and Mindy Willett
Markham: Fifth House Books
2010 ISBN-10: 9781897252598 (hardcover)
32 pages
This non-fiction book explores what it means to be Inuvialuit and the important practice of harvesting and preparing beluga meat. The author, James Pokiak, and his daughter, Rebecca, set out to hunt a beluga. During their journey above the Artic Ocean, the readers learn of their traditional beliefs and survival skills.
Both of these information books are part of a series called: The Land is Our Storybook. They are nicely laid out with information easily found by looking at the table of contents, headlines, glossary, or index. The text is a larger size and broken up into manageable pieces for the reader. Besides maps and a few examples of beadwork, the books are also a photo essay. The photos document the lives of the north and give more details than the words can ever provide.
Themes: non-fiction, Inuit, arctic, family, community, and social studies.
Grade level: intermediate
