Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Kindergarten
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success
Kindergarten
Selected Bibliography
NB: Older titles that you may find in your library have been included, and newer titles are provided as a guide for purchasing of new resources.
Book types include references, non-fiction, picture books, novels, poetry, alphabet books, folklore and biography. Emphasis has been placed on
Canadian titles. (O/P = out of print)
Title
Lewis, Jackie. How I Got My Dogsled, 1993, 0-921254-61-X. In short,
simple sentences, here is a story about acquiring and raising Husky sled
dogs. Although not stated, the characters are Aboriginal as indicated by the
illustrations and the focus of the story. Shows modern children living comfortably in today's society but also participating comfortably in their Aboriginal traditions, particularly in acquiring, training and sledding with sled
dogs.
Treuer, Anton, et al. Indian Nations of North America. 2010 National
Geographic, 9781426206641. Covers the indigenous people who settled
North America, and their descendants, whose more than 500 tribes range
from the Arctic Circle across the Great Plains to the Eastern Seaboard.
Lakota, Cherokee, Navajo, Haida: these groups and many others are profiled in entries, images and maps that highlight each tribe's history and
character. Organized into eight geographical regions, this encyclopedic
reference gives details about key tribes within each area: their beliefs, sustenance, shelter, alliances, interaction with nature, historic events, and
more. This is the definitive, insightful reference on Native Americans. The
book's eight Native American authors include renowned academics, national leaders, lecturers, and authors.
McDermott, Gerald. Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale. 1974,
0670133698. This is the Pueblo legend of a boy who is searching for his
father and is sent to the heavens by Arrow Maker. To prove he is the child
of the Sun, he passes four tests of courage, allowing him to return to earth
and bring his father’s spirit to earth. This is a classic quest story. McDermott’s brilliantly-coloured and stylized illustrations are unique.
Lester, Julius. Let's Talk about Race. 2005, 978-0060285968. This picture
book introduces race as just one of many chapters in a person's story.
Smith, Cynthia. Jingle Dancer. 2000, 0-688-16241-X. Jenna dreams about
Book First
Type Nation
Picture
Book
Some Suggested
Activities
Read for enjoyment.
Tell about winter activities
of different groups.
What do you do in the winter?
Compae with Sled Dog for
Moshi
Use for teacher reference.
Teacher
Reference
All
North
American
Folktale
(Quest
or Hero
Tale)
(Pueblo) Read the story and then ana-
Picture
Book
Picture
Is race important?
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
lyze the pictures for characteristics that make the boy
unique.
Read for enjoyment.
Curriculum
Links
Social Studies: I
Belong
Social Studies
Social Studies: I
Am Unique
Social Studies: I
Belong
Social Studies: I
1
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Kindergarten
her grandmother's jingle dancing - she would love to do the same. She does Book
have a problem, though - how will her dress sing if it has no jingles? This
is the story of a contemporary Native girl who turns to her family and
community to help her dance. A very nice story about a modern Aboriginal
child comfortable with both contemporary life and her traditions.
Truss, Jan. Peter’s Moccasins, 1987, 0919091245. Peter is embarrassed
that he is expected to wear moccasins in school when everyone else is
wearing sneakers--even though the moccasins have been lovingly fashioned by his grandmother, and decorated with tufted moose hair. When his
classmates recognize how special--and comfortable-- they are, everyone
decides to bring their moccasins and slippers from home.
Wheeler, Bernelda. (Métis author). Where Did You Get Your Moccasins? 1992, 1-895411-50-5. Through carefully controlled text and black
and white pictures, this story depicts the conversation of a primary school
child with his peers, while he explains all the steps that went into the creation of his new moccasins.
Waterton, Betty. A Salmon for Simon, 1978, 0-88899-265-3. Canadian
award-winning book tells the story of a little boy, Simon, who lives on
Canada’s West Coast. Simon has recently been given a fishing rod and has
spent every day fishing for salmon without success.
Freed, Don. Sasquatch Exterminator. 1999, 0920915418. Book is based
on a successful music education project intended to encourage Aboriginal
children to write and perform community-based and culturally-enhanced
songs.
Munsch, Robert. Smelly Socks, 2005, 0439967767. Here’s a classic Munsch story, full of silliness and sure to be a hit. Tina loves her brand new
socks so much, she’s never, ever going to take them off, but when her
wonderful socks get smelly, her friends have to take action. Set in northern
Canada, we can see that Tina lives in a Dene Community and that she and
her family are Aboriginal. We also see that Tina is a “regular kid,” just like
any other kid. Munsch's book will help affluent children to appreciate the
challenges of lower socio-economic families, and urban children can get a
view of living in an isolated location with limited services and resources.
Norman, Howard. Who-Paddled-Backward-With-Trout. 1987,
0316611824. A young Cree boy, Trout-with-Flattened-Nose, is not fond of
his given name and seeks to earn a new one that is more flattering. He gets
a new name, but one not entirely to his liking in this funny story. Black and
What is special about Jenna?
Belong, I Am
Invite an Aboriginal drum
Unique
and dance troupe to perform
at the school and to teach
powwow dances.
Compare contemporary life
with traditional life using a
Venn Diagram.
Tell about something unique Social Studies: I
and special that was made or
Belong
done for you.
Picture
Book
Picture
Book
Cree
Picture
Book
(North Read for enjoyment.
west
Compare your community
Coast) with Simon’s.
Picture
(Cree)
Book and
Music
CD
Picture
Dene
Book
Folktale
Cree
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Tell about something unique Social Studies: I
and special that was made or
Belong
done for you.
Social Studies: I
Belong
Listen for enjoyment and
experience Aboriginal-style
culture and rhythms.
Social Studies: I
Belong
Music
In what ways does Tina belong to her community and
family?
Social Studies: I
Belong
Social Studies: I
am Unique
2
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Kindergarten
white illustrations.
Johnson, Leslie. Fancy Dance. 2003, 1-58430-729-3. A delightfully, simply-written story about a young boy on his first public performance in the
Fancy Dance powwow contest. Simple words are used with bright illustrations, and true feelings of nervousness and then success are expressed.
Large print, beginning reader.
Munsch, Robert. Ribbon Rescue. 1999, 0590038710. Everyone is late for a
wedding and nothing is going right. But Jillian and her incredible, wonderful ribbon dress can fix almost anything. Now her dress is a mess – who is
going to fix Jillian? This story was first told to Jillian, Mohawk girl who
came to a storytelling wearing her brand-new traditional ribbon dress.
Joose, Barbara. Mama, Do You Love Me? 1991, 0-87701-759-X. This is a
delightful story of a child testing her mother's unconditional love. Her
mother is very reassuring and proves that a parent's love is everlasting. It's
the Arctic setting that sets the story apart. The book includes a detailed
glossary that describes the distinctively different Inuit culture.
Ballantyne, Evelyn. Aboriginal AlphaBet for Children, 2002,
1894717139. A beautiful alphabet book that illustrates the culture, language and traditions of Aboriginal people. Each page provides a letter of
the Roman alphabet in upper and lower case, a full color illustration of
some object that begins with that letter, and a sentence that explains or defines the term used to represent the letter. Most of the terms (eg. hand
drum, eagle fan and lacrosse) are closely connected to "traditional" Aboriginal communities, although a few (eg. igloo, kamiik) are taken from Inuit traditions. However, it is somewhat surprising to find "Xx Xmas is a
wonderful time for everyone."
Bruchac, Joseph. (AA), Robert Goetzl, Illustrator (AI). Many Nations: An
Alphabet of Native America. 1997, 0-8167-4389-4. This picture book is
beautifully illustrated with brief text presenting aspects of the lives of
many varied Native peoples across North America. The content has an historical focus. The book includes an author's note. Each letter is for a different First Nations group.
Flett, Julie. Owls See Clearly at Night: A Michif Alphabet. 2010,
9781897476284. In Michif and English. An introduction to the Michif language of the Métis people, mostly a combination of Cree and French.
Bruchac, Joseph and Bruchac, James (AA), Aruego, Jose and Ariane Dewey, Illustrator (AA), Turtle's Race with Beaver: A traditional Seneca
tale. 2003, 0-8037-2852-2. Beaver with his fast swimming challenges Turtle for ownership of the pond. Turtle outsmarts Beaver, and Beaver learns
to share. A version of the traditional tortoise and hare folktale.
Picture
Book
Many
Social Studies: I
am Unique
Picture
Book
Mohawk
Social Studies: I
am Unique
Picture
Book
Inuit
How do you know your
mother loves you?
Social Studies: I
Belong
Alphabet Many
book
(no
clear
designations
for any
of the
letters)
Students may read this simLanguage Arts:
ple book by themselves.
Alphabet
Make an Aboriginal alphabet
book for your family.
Activity: Make an Alphabet Book
Alphabet
Book
Many
Activity: Make an Alphabet Language Arts:
Alphabet
Book
Alphabet
Book
Métis
Activity: Make an Alphabet Language Arts:
Alphabet
Book
Folktale
(Fable)
Seneca Activity: Tortoise and Hare
Stories
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Language Arts:
Comparing and
writing stories.
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Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Kindergarten
Mora, Pat. Race of Toad and Deer. 2001, 0888994346. In this Maya version of the traditional tortoise and hare story, a clever toad beats a boastful,
long-legged deer.
Bruchac, Joseph & Bruchac, James. (AA), Jose Aruego & Ariane Dewey,
Illustrator (AA) Raccoon's Last Race: a traditional Abenaki story.
2004, 0-8037-2977-4. Tells the story of how Raccoon, the fastest animal
on earth, loses his speed because he is boastful and breaks his promises. A
version of the traditional tortoise and hare folktale.
Tingle, Tim. When Turtle Grew Feathers: A Folktale from the Choctaw Nation. 2007, 978-0-87483-777-3. The author’s pacing and storytelling style coupled with hilarious, action-packed illustrations make this
Choctaw telling of the race between Turtle and Rabbit an absolute gem,
delightful for reading aloud.
Harjo, Joy. Good Luck Cat. 2000, 978-0152321970. Some cats are good
luck. But as Woogie gets into one mishap after another, everyone starts to
worry. Can a good luck cat's good luck run out? This is a modern Native
American story from a member of the Muskogee-Creek tribe.
Bruchac, James. Native American Games and Stories. Golden, Colorado:
Fulcrum, 2000, 978-1555919795. An important belief of Native American
life states that you can learn while you play and play while you learn. Students can read intriguing stories, immerse themselves in Native American
understandings, and play fun-filled games.
Bushey, Jeanne. Orphans in the Sky, 2005, 0889952914. A story of the
Inuit and their never-ending search for food, and the subsequent search for
a home by the two children. Based on a traditional Inuit story, this pourquoi tale describes the origin of Thunder and Lightning. A brother and sister were inadvertently left behind when the Inuit moved to find better hunting grounds. The children returned to their old camp for shelter but found
only a flint and an old sealskin. Using these as best they could, they considered their survival options if they lived with different arctic animals.
When Little Sister thought of living with the stars instead, they happily
embraced the notion. As they rose into the night sky, Little Sister dispelled
the dark with the flint and Brother's laughter made the sealskin crackle
loudly. The orphans thus created Brother Thunder and Sister Lightning.
Cummings, Peter. Out on the Ice in the Middle of the Bay. 1993, 2004,
978-1550378702. Little Leah knows she is not to go outside because polar
bears are nearby. But she sneaks out to explore a nearby iceberg. Sure
enough, a polar bear cub is also out on the ice. It is not long before they
find each other in the setting sun. Soon the worried human and bear parents discover their young are missing and set out to find them. Tragedy is
Folktale
(Fable)
Maya
Folktale
(Fable)
Abenaki Activity: Tortoise and Hare
Folktale
(Fable)
Choctaw Activity: Tortoise and Hare
Picture
book
Activity: Tortoise and Hare
Stories
Stories
Stories
MuskogeeCreek
Language Arts:
Comparing and
writing stories.
Language Arts:
Comparing and
writing stories.
Language Arts:
Comparing and
writing stories.
Social Studies: I
Belong
Games
Use a Venn diagram to compare modern-day lives of
Aboriginal children with
non-Aboriginal.
Play some of the games.
Picture
Book
Characterize life in the far
north.
Social Studies: I
Belong
Physical Education
(Pourquoi)
Picture
Book
(North- Compare this story with
ern Can- Blueberries for Sal (not an
ada)
Aboriginal story). What is
the same in both stories?
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Social Studies: I
Belong
4
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Kindergarten
narrowly averted. A wonderful picture book.
Cuthand, Beth. (AA). Mary Longman (AI). Little Duck - Sikihpsis. 2003, Picture
2007, 978-1894778442. 1999, 0-919441-74-2. The little lonely duck tries
Book
to fit into the Cree culture and discovers he is happy after all to be a mud
duck and join other mud ducks. He admires the handsome Cree people, but
realizes he can't be Cree. Shows Cree people as strong, beautiful and handsome in the eyes of the little duck. Shows rich details of Cree culture, helps
children learn care for animals. Beautifully-illustrated.
Einarson, Earl. Moccasins, The. 2004, 1-894778-14-6. A foster mother
gives her young foster child a pair of moccasins which make him feel accepted and loved. By the time he grows out of them, he no longer needs
them but when he has his own child, the wise foster mother knows just
what gift to give. The illustrations are simple and tactile. Here is a simple
circular tale that reinforces the warmth and love one can receive from a
caring person. A positive example of a foster parent and foster child relationship. A cautionary note: it would be important for the teacher to check
the students' backgrounds, especially if he/she suspects that a child is in
foster care.
Delaronde, Deborah. A Name For A Métis. 1999, 9780921827658. A boy
searches for a nickname that will be respected. Going to each member of
his family, he puts up with affectionate teasing and fears his family will
pick his name for him, till his grandfather helps him to find the right name.
A simple and touching story of a boy’s search for identity.
Delaronde, Deborah L. (Métis author). Keiron Flamand, (AI). Little Metis
and the Metis Sash. 2000, 1-894717-02-3. This story is about a young
Métis boy who is bored and wishes to help his family with their chores.
His grandmother allows him to go and help but tells him to be careful so
that he doesn't get lost. The boy, seeing some of his grandmother's spools
of wool outside of the cabin, decides to use them so that he doesn't get lost.
In trying to be helpful the boy gets into trouble with the help of a mischievous friend. The book uses the spelling Métis whereas Métis is generally
preferred. This book is not terrific quality but there are very few stories
about Métis children available.
Kusugak, Michael. Littlest Sled Dog. 2008, 9781551437521. This appealing story about a little cairn terrier who dreams of being a big, strong sled
dog, incorporates many aspects of Inuit culture and the northern environment.
Bushey, Jeanne. A Sled Dog for Moshi, 1994, 1-55041-956-0. This is a
story set in the present day Iqaluit, now capital of Nunavut. Jessica, whose
Cree
Picture
Book
Compare this story with The Social Studies: I
Ugly Duckling. What is the Belong
same in the two stories?
What is different? What
happens to the two birds in
the end?
Where does the little mud
duck belong?
Explore different kinds of
Social Studies: I
families.
Belong
What helped the boy feel that
he was loved and belonged?
Read with Where Did you
Get Your Moccasins? to
learn about the origin of the
moccasins in the story.
Compare your family with
the one in this story.
Social Studies: I
Am Unique
Picture
Book
Métis
Picture
Book
Métis
What are some of the special
things about this family?
Picture
Book
Inuit
Picture
Book
Inuit
Compare with similar stories, Social Studies: I
such as How I Got My
Am Unique
Dogsled and A Sled Dog for
Moshi.
Compare with similar stoSocial Studies: I
ries, such as How I Got
Belong
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Social Studies: I
Belong
5
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Kindergarten
family has moved to the remote northern Canadian town from New York
City, finds a new friend in Moshi, an Inuk girl. Jessica does not understand
about sled dogs, or other characteristics of life in an Inuit village. One day,
both girls are stranded in a whiteout, and it is Moshi's knowledge of the
Inuit ways of survival, and the help of her father's sled dog Nuna, that save
the girls. A very rich resource.
Devine, Monica. Carry Me, Mama. 2001, 1-55005-150-4. Beautiful, colourful paintings illustrate this story of seasonal changes set in an Inuit
community. Provides many details about Inuit life in the far north. Katie
has viewed life from the safety of her mother’s parka. Then her mother
decides it is time for Katie to walk on her own.
Delaronde, Deborah. (Métis author ). Rabbit’s Race. 2009,
9781894778763. A young jackrabbit, known to be the best hopper, challenges the bush rabbits to a race. Here is a tale of new friendships and valuable lessons.
Wheeler, Bernelda. (Métis author). I Can't Have Bannock but the Beaver
has a Dam. 1984, 1993, 1895411483. Easy-to-read print and black-andwhite illustrations. The story begins with a little boy asking his mother if
he can have some bannock. She says no and tells him why. As for all little
boys, mother's answer only stimulates another question. Each time the
mother answers she gives all of the information in the previous answer
plus new information. Set in typical native and northern communities
where bannock and power failures are a part of everyday life.
Boyden, Linda. Blue Roses. 2002, 1-58430-037-X. Rosalie is named by her
grandfather who loves roses and his garden. He teaches her how to plant
and tend a garden which according to him is 'the closest place to heaven on
this hard earth.' With the plants, he teaches Rosalie about the cycle of life,
and that death is part of that cycle. When he dies, Rosalie cries in the company of her whole family and gradually accepts that he is gone. She has a
dream about him in his heavenly garden with the blue roses they could
never grow. With that vision she learns a way to keep him in her heart.
Armstrong, Jeannette. (AA), Ron Hall (AI). Dancing With the Cranes.
2004 and 2009, 978-1894778701. The grandmother's death has greatly
saddened the child, but her mother helps her look forward to the birth of
the new baby, thus reinforcing the cycle of life.
Miles, Miska. Annie and the Old One. 1971, 0316571202. Annie comes
to grips with the concept of death and the sure knowledge of the coming
death of her grandmother. This is the wise story of a Navajo girl and her
grandmother.
Picture
Book
Inuit
My Dogsled and Littlest
Sled Dog
Tell some of the things
Moshi knew that helped to
save the girls.
Find out how to care for and
train a sled dog.
Read for enjoyment.
Picture
book
Likely
Métis
What lessons did the rabbits
learn?
Picture
book
Cree
Activity: Bannock in Stories Social Studies: I
Belong
Picture
Book
Who do you love?
Picture
Book
Picture
Book
Navajo
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Social Studies: I
Belong
Social Studies: I
Belong
Social Studies: I
Belong
Health: Dealing
with death
Social Studies:
Family
Health: Dealing
with death
Social Studies:
Family
Health: Dealing
with death
6
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Kindergarten
Loewen, Iris. My Kokum Called Today. 1993, 0921827369. On the trip
with her mother from the city to an Indian Reserve, a young girl thinks of
how fond she is of her Cree grandmother--her Kokum--they will be visiting. Kokum is an elder with, among other talents, a knack for gathering
medicinal herbs, making jam from wild berries, cooking bannock, fashioning moccasins. A warm portrait of family life in a special community.
Wastasecoot, Brenda Isabel. (AA). Granny’s Giant Bannock. 2008,
9781894717496. A little miscommunication between English-speaking
Larf and his Cree-speaking grandmother leads to hilarious results when a
giant bannock threatens to take over the town. Includes a bannock recipe.
Wheeler, Jordan, (Canadian Cree Author) Just a Walk. 2009,
9781894778824. Chuck, a young Aboriginal boy, has some amazing adventures when he goes out “just for a walk.” Written in rhyme to entertain
children, it will leave them laughing.
Wheeler, Jordan, (Canadian Cree Author). Chuck in the City. 2009,
9781894778817. Chuck begins a new journey, this time to the city. On his
own, he gets lost, but finally figures out how he can find his way back to
his Kookum’s new condo. Humourous illustrations.
Eyvindson, Peter. Red Parka Mary. 1996, 9780921827504. Shows how an
Aboriginal boy befriends an elderly Aboriginal woman. It presents a realistic depiction of contemporary First Peoples.
Picture
Book
Cree
Picture
Book
Cree
Picture
Book
Cree
Tell some funny adventures
you have had.
Language Arts:
story telling
Picture
Book
Cree
Tell some funny adventures
you have had.
Language Arts:
story telling
Why are friends important?
Compare contemporary life
with traditional life using a
Venn Diagram.
Social Studies: I
Belong
Picture
Book
Eyvindson, Peter. Night Rebecca Stayed Too Late. 1994, 0921827393.
Picture
Rebecca and Suzie have a problem. How can they walk each other home
Book
on a scary night without one of them having to finally walk home alone?
Again, a realistic depiction of contemporary First Peoples.
Eyvindson, Peter. Kyle's Bath. 1984, 0919143059. Kyle definitely does
Picture
not like taking baths! Another realistic depiction of contemporary First
Book
Peoples. Black and white pencil illustrations.
Steptoe, John. Story of Jumping Mouse. 1983, 0688019021. The gifts of
Picture
Magic Frog and his own hopeful and unselfish spirit bring Jumping Mouse Book
finally to the Far-Off Land where no mouse goes hungry.
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
Tell about the family in this
Social Studies: I
story.
Belong
Compare this family with
yours. What things are the
same? Different?
Activity: Bannock in Stories
Activity: Bannock in Stories Language Arts:
Writing a Story
Social Studies: I
Belong
How are you like or not like
Kyle?
Social Studies: I
am Unique
Social Studies: I
Belong
7
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Kindergarten
Using Children’s Literature in Elementary School
Advantages:










Widespread availability
Easily integrated into thematic curricula
Generally more up to date
More focused and provide an in-depth look at concepts
More interesting and less confusing for students than textbooks
Story lines help students remember concepts better
Contain colourful pictures and graphics
Present a more human side of life than do textbooks
Evoke both efferent (factual) and aesthetic response (emotional)
Support Inquiry and Research Processes, support thinking skills
What Do We Look For In Non-Fiction?
Criteria:
 Large, clear, high quality colour illustrations, including both photos and drawings
 Drawings include graphs, diagrams, tables and other structures that plot information and show relationships
 Illustrations that match and support the text
 Captions that support the material
 Index
 Table of Contents
 Glossary
 Authority and currency evident in sources used in content development (e.g., sources and authorities listed)
 Text appropriate as to size, font type, placement, amount per page
 Headings and sub-headings used frequently throughout the text
 Content suitable for age of student
 Content appropriate for the intended unit of study
 Content organized in “chunks” of related material
 Print broken up by illustrations, boxes, sidebars, etc., so as to avoid long, intimidating sections of text.
 Appealing format
 Canadian or Albertan content where appropriate and available
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium, June 2010, updated 2014.
8