Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Aboriginal Peoples (Canadian Challenges)
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success
Grade 9
Selected Bibliography
NB: Older titles that you may find in your library have been included, and a great many 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 where possible. Brackets indicate series. Out-of-print (O/P) titles are often included, since they may be in the library
even if they are not available to purchase. Books constantly go in and out of print, so it’s well worth ordering any title that is shown as O/P.
Title
Book First
Type Nation
Ray, Arthur. Illustrated History of Canada's Native People: I Have Lived Teacher All
Here Since the World Began. 2010, 9781554702701. Canada’s Native
ReferCanapeople have inhabited this land since the Ice Age and were already accomence
dian
plished traders, artisans, farmers and marine hunters when Europeans first
reached their shores. Contact between Natives and European explorers and
settlers initially presented an unprecedented period of growth and opportunity. But the two vastly different cultures soon clashed. In this revised
and updated edition, Ray charts the history of Canada’s Native people from
first contact to current land claims. The result is a fascinating chronicle that
spans 12,000 years and culminates in the headlines of today. Dense text, not
many illustrations, mostly black and white, very scholarly and authoritative,
a useful teacher reference.
Treuer, Anton, et al. Indian Nations of North America. 2010 National Ge- Teacher All
ographic, 9781426206641. Covers the indigenous people who settled North ReferNorth
America, and their descendants, whose more than 500 tribes range from the ence,
AmeriArctic Circle across the Great Plains to the Eastern Seaboard. Lakota, Cher- Recan
okee, Navajo, Haida: these groups and many others are profiled in entries,
search
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.
Reed, Kevin. Aboriginal Peoples: Building for the Future. 1998,
Non
All
9780195412802. Here’s a book that breathes life into this important subject. fiction CanaThis work explores the significant role played by Aboriginal peoples in the
dian
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Some Suggested
Activities
Curriculum
Links
Use for teacher background
and reference.
Social Studies:
History of Aboriginal People in
Canada
Use for teacher reference
and research.
Social Studies
Activity: Biography Project
What challenges and oppor-
Social Studies:
Issues in Canadian Governance
1
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
development of Canada. Topics include residential schools, rituals, selfgovernment and family life. First hand accounts and biographical sketches
take readers into this fascinating culture. The book focuses on all facets of
Aboriginal culture, history, and challenges from the past to the present with
a careful balance between brutal honesty and uplifting accounts of hope and
perseverance. It includes biographies of key Aboriginal figures (i.e. Big
Bear, Rosemarie Kuptana, Susan Aglukark) and examines some issues (i.e.
Nunavut, Nisga, Oka and Ipperwash).
Beaver, Jan. The 10 Most Significant Crossroads in Aboriginal History.
2008, 9781554483389. Restricted to access only through Scholastic. Very
useful resource, tabloid format.
Non
fiction
All
Canadian
Johnson, Michael. Encyclopedia of Native Tribes of North America.
2007, 9781554073078. This fully-illustrated reference offers up-to-date and
essential facts on the identity, kinships, locations, populations and cultural
characteristics of some 400 separately identifiable peoples native to North
America, both living and extinct, from the Canadian Arctic to the Rio
Grande. Information is organized for easy use and covers all cultural/geographical regions: the Northeastern Woodlands, Southeastern Woodlands, Plains and Prairie, Plateau, Great Basin, California, Southwest,
Northwest Coast, Subarctic and Arctic. Tribes are grouped by linguistic
family. The spiritual beliefs and the role of Native Americans in history and
modern culture are addressed. More than 300 color and archival photographs, 21 regional maps and over 100 specially-commissioned colour illustrations are provided. Population and settlement trends based on recent census figures provide detail about all officially recognized tribes. Appendices
include the Powwow Trail.
Silvey, Diane. Kids Book of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. 2005,
1550749986. Another in the Kids Book series on Canada and Canadian history. With index, timeline and table of contents this title has excellent colour
drawings, accessible format, and lots of sidebars with quick facts and added
interest items. An important book to have, very well researched. Full sections on people of the Plains, the Arctic and the Sub-arctic. This is the only
resource that provides a map of Canada showing the land areas of the various seven major groups and the only one to list the various peoples of each
of the major areas.
Reference
Many
Non
fiction
All
Canadian
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
tunities face the Aboriginal
population in Canada?
Activity: Residential
Schools
Activity: Maps and Mapping
Activity: Vocabulary
Study
Activity: Students and Aboriginal Issues
What challenges and opportunities face the Aboriginal
population in Canada?
How does history inform
today and decisions for the
future?
Use for reference and for
any research project.
Activity: Vocabulary
Study
Use for research and reference.
Read And My Heart Soars
from Spirit of Canada
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Activity: Inventions and
Innovations
Activity: Maps and Map-
Social Studies:
Issues in Canadian Governance
Social Studies:
Aboriginal People in Canada,
Canadian Identity
Social Studies:
Canadian Identity
2
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Spalding, Andrea. Secret of the Dance. 2006, 1551433966. A young AboPicture
riginal boy witnesses a secret ceremony (potlatch) after being told that danc- Book
ing is forbidden by law. Evocative illustrations capture the west coast landscape and the sense of secrecy that is central to the story.
Bruchac, Joseph. (AA). Hidden Roots. 2004, 978-0-439-35359-5. In this
sensitively-told story, Sonny comes to learn that he is Abenaki and why his
Native heritage has been kept secret. With compelling characters, Bruchac
brings the Vermont Eugenics Project, a shameful government sterilization
program ended in 1936, out of hiding. Through Sonny and his grandfather,
readers learn of a brutal policy inflicted on American Indians. This title deserves extended discussion in every classroom.
Novel
Robinson, Eden. Monkey Beach. 2001, 978-0676973228. Lisamarie Hill is
a Haisla, living on her people's Kitamaat reservation, north of Vancouver,
BC. Now 21, she is motoring alone up the Douglas Channel to search for
her younger brother, Jimmy, feared lost during his first run as a deckhand
on a fishing boat. The narrative flashes back to her childhood. A powerful
and evocative novel.
Auger, Daniel. Watishka Warriors. 2009, 9780981094229. After living
away for years, Sandy Lafonde returns to her childhood home at the
Watishka First Nation reserve (Peace River area). Little has changed since
she left -- a local gang menaces the area, the community is splintered and
the Cree youth are left restless and frustrated. Sandy realizes that she needs
to do something to help, so she proposes to start a junior hockey team.
Novel
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
ping
(Pacific Why was the custom of the Social Studies:
Coast) potlatch forbidden by the
Government
government?
abridgement of
Discuss the actions of the
democratic
federal government.
rights
What basic democratic
rights were withheld by the
government?
Read pages 46-47 of Aboriginal Peoples: Building
for the Future.
Activity: Students and Aboriginal Issues
AbeHold a class discussion of
Social Studies:
naki
the Eugenics Project.
Government
Compare it with the policies abridgement of
of Hitler and the Nazis dur- democratic and
ing WW II.
personal rights
Compare it with Residential
Schools.
Compare it with the
abridgement of democratic
rights described in Secret
of the Dance.
Activity: Author Study
Activity: Students and Aboriginal Issues
Haisla
Novel study.
Language Arts:
(Northnovel
west
Coast)
Novel
Cree
Novel study.
Social Studies:
Cree people of
Alberta
Language Arts:
novel
3
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Drawing on her own past, Sandy steps in as coach and tries to reign in the
star player, hot-headed Sheldon Lambert, a 15-year-old hockey prodigy who
just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. The team struggles to stay together
despite crippling odds and the ever-present gang lurking in the background.
And Sheldon faces a decision that could affect the fate of the team, and his
own life.
Carvell, Marlene. Who Will Tell My Brother? 2004, 978-0-7868-1657-6.
For decades, Native people have protested the use of Native imagery for
school mascots. This story, based on the author’s family experience, chronicles teenage Evan’s efforts to rid his school of its mascot. Though his activism is rebuffed and met with taunts, the novel ends on an optimistic note.
This timely story, told in free verse, may prove useful in schools currently
examining such practices.
King, Thomas. (CAA). Medicine River. 2005, 978-0143054351. Situated
on the prairies of Alberta, the small town of Medicine River and the nearby
Blackfoot Indian reservation are the focal points of this tale. Narrated with
compassion and humor by 40-year-old Blackfoot bachelor and wedding
photographer Will, the story line captures the pleasure and pain of daily life
in this community. Will's best friend, local do-gooder Harlen Bigbear, for
instance, hopes to marry him to prosperous accountant and unwed mother
Louise Heavyman. As with most of Harlen's schemes, things do turn out for
the best.
Craven, Margaret. I Heard the Owl Call My Name. 1980, 9780440343691. In the Pacific Northwest stands Kingcome, a village so ancient
that, according to Kwakiutl myth, it was founded by the two brothers left on
earth after the great flood. The Native Americans who still live there call it
Quee, a place of such incredible natural richness that hunting and fishing
remain primary food sources. But the old culture of totems and potlatch is
being replaced by a new culture of prefab housing and alcoholism. Kingcome's younger generation is disenchanted and alienated from its heritage.
Ballantyne, Adam. Wisakyjak and the New World, also entitled
Wisakyjak and the Giant Lynxes and the Making of the New World
after the Great Flood. 1991, 9780921254348. Directly taken from a
Woodland Cree storyteller, this is one of the stories of Wisakyjak, a trickster
who was responsible for changing many of he animals so that they appear as
they do today. Black and white illustrations.
Novel
Social Studies:
Issues in democracy
Novel study.
Language Arts:
Novel study
Novel
Blackfoot
Novel
(Pacific Compare with Absolutely
North- True Diary of a Partwest
Time Indian.
Language Arts:
novel
Social Studies:
Social issues
Folktale
Woodland
Cree
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
(trickster)
King, Thomas, Tantoo Cardinal, Tomson Highway, et al, Contributors. Our Short
Many
Story: Aboriginal Voices on Canada's Past. 2005, 978-0385660761. A
story
Canacollection of original stories written by some of the country’s most celebrat- collection dian
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Activity: Students and Aboriginal Issues
Why is using Indians as
mascots not an acceptable
practice?
Activity: Trickster Tales
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Compare this with other
stories of the “great flood,”
such as I Heard the Owl
Call My Name.
Compare First Words in
Our Story with other creation stories.
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
4
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
ed Aboriginal writers, and inspired by pivotal events in the country’s history. The ten authors take us through our country’s past to discover the moments that shaped our nation and its people. Our Story is an impressive
collection of original fiction. Brian Maracle’s retelling of the Iroquois creation myth is . . . powerful and haunting. Jovette Marchessault’s 'Moon of the
Dancing Sons' is beautiful and heartrending. Rachel Qitsualik’s 'Skraeling'
is a narrative of the highest order. Our Story bridges Native and European
narrative traditions with considerable force.” For older readers.
Gray, Carolyn. Aboriginal Treaties. (Canada Past, Present, Future). 2010,
9781553886921. From sports to foreign affairs, readers take a look at significant events of every decade in the past 100 years focusing on the future and
how the past shapes the face of the nation today.
Marsden, John. The Rabbits. 2003. 0-9688768-8-9. This simple but powerful allegory describes the results of most of the colonizations in the history
of our planet. The spare text and stylized illustrations tell the chilling story
of invasion, environmental destruction and cultural subjugation in simple
child-like terms. This is an excellent opener for discussion at many levels.
groups
Non
fiction
Picture
Book
Yolen, Jane. Encounter. 1992, 015201389X. A Taino Indian boy on the
island of San Salvador recounts the landing of Columbus and his men in
1492.
Picture
Book
Merino, Noël, Native Americans (Introducing Issues with Opposing Viewpoints) 2008, 9780737739770. Man topics are addressed, including Native
sovereignty, Health care, Columbus Day, Sports Team names and Gaming.
Nonfiction
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Many
Compare First Words in
Our Story with Mammoth
Bones and Broken Stones:
The Mystery of North
America’s First People
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Activity: Students and Aboriginal Issues
Make a map of current Treaty holdings and reserves.
Use for building appreciation of different perspectives.
What are some of the issues
raised in this book?
Activity: Analysis of The
Rabbits
Activity: Respect for Nature
Activity: Students and Aboriginal Issues
Taino
Use for developing an appreciation of different perspectives. Analyze illustrations as well as text.
Read Chikabash and the
Strangers from Spirit of
Canada.
Activity: Analysis of The
Rabbits
Activity: Students and Aboriginal Issues
General Use for developing an appreciation of different perspectives.
Hold class debates on some
of the issues.
Activity: Students and Ab-
Social Studies:
Issues in Canadian democracy
Language Arts:
Allegory, Comparing points of
view
Science: Environment
Social Studies:
The coming of
the Europeans
Social Studies:
The coming of
the Europeans
Language Arts:
Comparing
points of view
Language Arts:
Comparing
points of view
5
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Bruchac, Joseph. (AA). Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back. 1997, 9780698115842. The 13 scales on Turtle's shell stand for the 13 cycles of the
moon, each with its own name and a story that relates to the changing seasons.
Taylor, C.J. (AA). Little Water and the Gift of the Animals: A Seneca
Legend. 1992, 0887762859. The legend of Little Water illustrates the high
regard held by Native Americans for the natural world around them. Not
only did they rely on certain animals for food, clothing, and shelter, but for
their medicines as well.
Taylor, C,J. (AA). Ghost and the Lone Warrior: An Arapaho Legend.
1991, 0887762646. Crippled in an accident and left behind by his hunting
party, Lone Warrior must overcome hunger, cold, pain, and despair to survive. But most terrifying of all his trials is the appearance of a skeletonghost arisen from the grave. That Lone Warrior can still remember to express his gratitude to the animal he must kill to survive, and that he does not
allow fear to diminish his dignity, makes him an ideal hero.
Ayre, Robert. Sketco the Raven. 2009, 9781443100441. Through his cunning, trickery, and transformations, Sketco brings the world the moon, the
sun, and the stars. He gives birds their colours, gives man fire, creates the
tides, brings food, and much more. No illustrations. Like a chapter book,
each chapter telling another episode. Episodes stand alone, but the whole
works as a longer story. This folktale collection includes such hero tales as
The Man Who Sat on the Tide.
Bushey, Jeanne. Orphans in the Sky, 2005, 0889952914. A story of the
never-ending search for food, and the subsequent search for a home by two
children. 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,
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.
Lunge-Larsen, Lise. Legend of the Lady Slipper: An Ojibwe Tale, 1999,
0395905125. A young girl leaves her community where everyone is sick to
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Poetry
original Issues
Abenaki Activity: Respect for Nature
Activity: Author Study
Folktale Seneca
Activity: Respect for Nature.
Science:
Science: Environment
Folktale Arapaho Activity: Respect for Na(Quest or
ture
hero)
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Science: Environment
Language Arts:
Comparing stories
(Folktale (North
Collec- Pacific
tion
Coast)
(pourquoi,
trickster,
hero)
Select several Raven stories
from different sources to
analyze and compare. Are
they hero, trickster, or
pourquoi stories?
Activity: Trickster Tales
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Why do thunder and lightning go together?
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, Comparing
stories
Read for enjoyment.
Over the course of several
Language Arts:
Literature analy-
Picture
Book
Inuit
(Pourquoi)
Folklore Ojibwe
(Pourquoi,
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, Comparing
stories
Science: Electrical Principles
and Technologies
6
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
quest or
go to another community to get medicine. Winter weather makes her trip
hard and dangerous. When she loses her moccasins in the snow, her feet are hero)
cut by the ice and leave a trail of blood. In the spring when the snow melts,
she and her brother find beautiful new flowers wherever she had stepped.
These flowers are shaped just like the little moccasins she had lost. The
Ojibwa name the flower is ma-ki-sin waa-big-waan, the lady slipper. Beautifully illustrated.
Wargin, Kathy-jo. Legend of the Lady’s Slipper. 2001, 1886947740. This
is the suspenseful tale of a young girl’s run through the forest in an attempt
to save the people of her village. The pink and white flowers of the lady’s
slipper that carpet the ground each spring remind us of her sacrifice.
Folklore Ojibwe
(Pourquoi,
quest or
hero)
McLellan, Joseph, (CAA), Birth of Nanabosho, 1989, 9780921827009.
Folktale Ojibwa
Explains when and why stories of creation need to be told at a certain time (pourquoi
of year. This story tells of the origin of Nanabosho and how he was a spirit - creation)
who could change his shape to suit his purposes. From this comes the lesson
to "treat everyone and everything with respect. You never know when
Nanabosho has changed himself into something around you, and you certainly don't want to be disrespectful to him or to anything in Creation.”
McLellan, Joe, (CAA), Nanabosho: How the Turtle Got its Shell. 1994,
9780921827405. Long ago, turtle was just a little green creature. He had to
hide from everyone. One day he helped Nanabosho with catching fish and
so Nanabosho rewarded him by making a shell for him.
Sterling, Shirley. My Name is Seepeetza. 1992, 978-0888991652. Her name
is Seepeetza, but at the Indian residential school in British Columbia, she is
called Martha. She hates her white name, but she is beaten if she talks "Indian." Her long hair is cut off. Other students pick on her because she has
green eyes and looks white. It won the Sheila A. Egoff Children's Book
Prize. It’s an autobiographical novel written in the form of a diary when
Seepeetza was in grade 6 in the 1950’s. Few books detail the residential
school experience.
Carvell, Marlene. Sweetgrass Basket. 2005, 978-0525475477. Mattie and
Sarah try to be good when their father, a Mohawk, sends them to Pennsylvania's Carlisle Indian Boarding School at the turn of the twentieth century.
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Folktale
Ojibwa
(pourquoi)
Novel
(autobiographical)
Interior
Salish
Biographical
Mohawk
stories, build a chart that
lists and explains Aboriginal values.
Compare with Legend of
the Lady’s Slipper
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Compare with Legend of
the Lady Slipper: An
Ojibwe Tale.
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
What is the reason for the
strong respect that Aboriginal people show for nature?
What lesson does this story
teach?
Activity: Respect for Nature
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
What lesson does this story
teach?
Activity: Biography Project
Activity: Residential
Schools
Activity: Residential
Schools
sis
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Science: Environment
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Social Studies:
Government
abridgement of
democratic
rights
Language Arts:
novel study, biography research
Social Studies:
Government
abridgement of
7
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
He believes it's best, but the children suffer cruel abuse. Mattie, falsely accused of stealing, is beaten and publicly shamed, and things only get worse.
The sisters tell their story in alternating first-person, free-verse narratives,
which reveal their close bond, their longing for home, and the vicious pressure to assimilate (Mrs. Dwyer says, "if we work hard, we will be as good
as white people").
Brown, Chester. Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography, 1-896597-63-7. A
biography of Louis Riel told in graphic novel format. Includes notes and a
bibliography. Great for readers who may be reluctant to tackle a more detailed format.
Knockwood, Isabelle. Out of the Depths: The Experiences of Mi'kmaw
Children at the Indian Residential School in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. 1992, 096941806X. The author shares her experiences, and has also
collected and shared the stories of many others who attended the Shubenacadie Residential School. Provides an in-depth look at the horrifying
experiences of some residential school survivors. One of the best nonfiction accounts available.
Lronde, Sandra, ed. Sky Woman: Indigenous Women Who Have Shaped,
Moved or Inspired Us, 2005, 9781894778190. When Sky Woman fell
from the upper world through a hole in the sky, earth was born…. This collection of poetry, short stories and visual arts honours the legacy of Sky
Woman. Nearly 40 writers and visual artists are represented from 22 Indigenous nations across Canada, the US, Mexico, Pacific Islands and Japan,
including Buffy Sainte,Marie, Jeannette Armstrong, Daphne Odjig and Lee
Maracle.
Rumford, James. Sequoyah: The Cherokee Man Who Gave His People
Writing. 2004, 978-0618369478. This is the story of an ordinary man with
an extraordinary idea to create a writing system for the Cherokee and turn
his people into a nation of readers and writers. The task he set for himself
was daunting. Sequoyah knew no English and had no idea how to capture
speech on paper. But slowly and painstakingly, ignoring the hoots and jibes
of his neighbors and friends, he worked out a system that surprised the
Cherokee Nation and the world of the 1820s with its beauty and simplicity.
Erdrich, Lise. Sacagawea. 2003, 9780876146460. A biography of the Shoshone girl Sacagawea from age 11 when she was kidnapped by the Hitdatsa
to the end of her journey with Lewis and Clark, plus speculation about her
later life.
Bruchac, Joseph. Sacajawea: The Story of Bird Woman and the Lewis
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Novel
democratic
rights
Graphic Métis
novel
Activity: Biography project
Social Studies:
Métis people of
Canada, History
of Canada
Social Studies:
Government
abridgement of
democratic
rights
Autobio- Mi'kma
graphical, w
collected
stories of
experiences
Activity: Residential
Schools
Collection of
stories
and
artwork
Many
Activity: Biography Project
Language Arts:
biography research
Non
fiction
Cherokee
Activity: Biography Project
Language Arts:
biography research
Nonfiction,
Shoshone
Activity: Biography project
What effect did the Lewis
and Clark expedition have
on early Canada?
Sho-
Activity: Biography pro-
Language Arts:
biography research
Social Studies:
History of Canada
Social Studies:
Biography
Non
8
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
and Clark Expedition. 2003, 978-0439280686. Young Sacajawea has been
asked to join Lewis and Clark in their exploration of the American West. As
a translator, peacemaker, caretaker, and guide, Sacajawea made the historic
journey of Lewis and Clark possible. This captivating novel which alternates between the points of view of Sacajawea and William Clark provides
an intimate glimpse into what it would have been like to witness firsthand
this fascinating time in history.
Bruchac, Joseph. (AA). Boy Called Slow: The True Story of Sitting Bull.
1994, 069811616X. Being named Slow and growing up in the shadow of a
great warrior hardly dwarfed the prospects of this hero: he grew up to be
Sitting Bull.
Florence, Melanie. Jordin Tootoo: The highs and lows in the journey of
the first Inuit to play in the NHL. 2010, 9781552775318. Hockey is a relatively new sport in Canada's North. It wasn't until 2003 that Jordin Kudluk
"Thunder" Tootoo became the first Inuk to play in an NHL game. Although
hockey is a rough sport to begin with, Jordin Tootoo is known for having to
"fight his way through." Jordin has had more than his fair share of fights -both on and off the ice. He's had to overcome the social problems that are
associated with the North, fight his way through the discrimination and culture shock he encountered after leaving Rankin Inlet and moving to Alberta
to play in the Juniors, and see his way through the grief of losing his NHLbound older brother and hero, Terence Tootoo, to suicide in 2002. This new
biography explores the struggles and accomplishments of one of the most
recognized role models for young Aboriginal and Inuit people today.
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. Rain Is Not My Indian Name. 2001, 9780060295042. Cassidy Rain Berghoff didn't know that the very night she decided to get a life would be the night that Galen would lose his. It's been six
months since he died, and up until now Rain has succeeded in shutting herself off from the world. But when controversy arises around her aunt Georgia's Indian Camp in their mostly white mid-western community, Rain decides to face the outside world again--at least through the lens of her camera. In a voice that resonates with insight and humor, the author tells of
heartbreak, recovery, and reclaiming one's place in the world.
Walters, Eric. War of the Eagles. 1998, 978-1551430997. Jed Blackburn's
English father is in Europe flying fighter planes for the RAF during World
War II. Jed lives with his mother and grandmother, Tsimshian Indians, on
the west coast of Canada. He and his mother work at an army base, where
Jed, with the help of his best friend Tadashi, is nursing a bald eagle back to
health after it was shot by soldiers at the base. The boy's world is severely
shaken when Tadashi's family, and the entire Japanese-Canadian communiDeveloped by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
fiction
shone
ject
What effect did the Lewis
and Clark expedition have
on early Canada?
Activity: Author Study
History of Canada
Language Arts:
biography research
Nonfiction,
Dakota
Activity: Biography project
Activity: Author Study
Language Arts:
biography research
Novel
Inuit
Activity: Biography project
Language Arts:
biography research
Novel
(Kansas) Read for enjoyment.
Biography
Novel
Tsimshian
Novel study.
Compare this story with
Hidden Roots and Secret
of the Dance and As Long
as the Rivers Flow. What
is similar?
Social Studies:
People of mixed
heritage
Language Arts:
Coming of age
story
Social Studies:
Government
abridgement of
democratic
rights
9
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
ty, is sent to detention camps in central Canada after the attack on Pearl
Harbor. A well-written and engaging book.
Loyie, Larry. As Long as the Rivers Flow: A Last Summer Before Residential School. 2002, 088994737. A short novel in picture book style about
Larry, who at 10 was living with his family near Slave Lake in Alberta
when he learned that he had to go away to school. Forced to choose between
going to jail or sending their son to residential school, Lawrence’s parents
opted for the latter. The summer before the 10-year-old’s departure is spent
with family and community, learning and making memories that will flow
like rivers, sustaining him in the harsh conditions of the residential school.
Light-filled watercolors convey the beauty of the land and warmth of family
relationships. An epilogue, with photos, shows the residential school situation as Lawrence lived it from age 10 –14.
Loyie, Larry. Goodbye Buffalo Bay. Includes anecdotes about Larry’s life
at residential school, his life after he leaves the school, and a history of residential schools in Canada. Follows As Long as the Rivers Flow.
Loyie, Larry, When the Spirits Dance. 2006, 1894778405. Recounts Larry’s childhood during the World War II years. Prequel to As Long as the
Rivers Flow.
Non
Cree
fiction
Autobiographical
novel
Non
Cree
fiction
Autobiographical
novel
Autobi- Cree
ographical, very
short
Freed, Don. Sasquatch Exterminator. 1999, 0920915418. Book is based on Picture (Cree)
a successful music education project intended to encourage Aboriginal chil- Book
dren to write and perform community-based and culturally-enhanced songs. and Music CD
Walsh, Alice. Pomiuk, Prince of the North. The year is 1893 in Chicago,
Mini
and the most fabulous fair the world has ever seen becomes the home for a
Novel
young Labrador Inuit boy called Pomiuk. Although he captures the hearts of
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Inuit
What basic democratic
rights were withheld by the
government?
Check out the information
about residential schools in
Story of the Blackfoot
People.
Activity: Biography Project
Activity: Residential
Schools
What basic democratic
rights were withheld by the
government?
What has been the impact of
residential schools on Aboriginal people?
Research residential
schools.
Activity: Biography Project
Activity: Residential
Schools
Describe how Larry’s life in
the 1940’s was a mix of
contemporary European
lifestyle and traditional
Cree lifestyle.
Activity: Biography Project
Listen for enjoyment and
experience Aboriginal-style
culture and rhythms.
Compose more verses for
the music.
Discuss the ethics behind
actions of various people in
the story.
Social Studies:
Government
abridgement of
democratic
rights
Language Arts:
novel study, biography research
Social Studies:
Government
abridgement of
democratic
rights
Language Arts:
novel study, biography research
Language Arts:
novel study, biography research
Social Studies:
Cree people of
Canada
Music
Social Studies:
Government
abridgement of
10
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
millions of people who come to see “Eskimo village,” and he sees many
wonders, he would rather be home. He eventually is able to return, but not
before he has been crippled for life. Based on a true story.
Lenski, Lois. Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison. 1941, 1995,
Novel
978-0064461627. This classic frontier adventure tells the real life story of
Mary Jemison, who was captured in a raid as young girl and raised amongst
the Seneca Indians. Meticulously researched and illustrated with many detailed drawings, this novel offers an exceptionally vivid and personal portrait of Native American life and customs. Some reviews consider this book
to be problematic, but a careful unbiased reading shows it to be accurate and
realistic.
Campbell, Nicola. (Métis Author). Shi-shi-etko. 2005, 0888996594. In four
short days, Shi-shi-etko will be forced to leave her family and all that is familiar to her to attend residential school. This is a moving and poetic account of one child's final moments spent with her family and the beauty of
the world around her. In the presence of her family, Shi-shi-etko carefully
gathers valuable teachings and memories for safekeeping.
Picture
Book
Research other cases where democratic
Aboriginal people were
rights (USA)
kidnapped. (Example, InLanguage Arts:
biography redian Captive: The Story
of Mary Jemison)
search
Activity: Biography Project
Iroquois Novel study
Language Arts:
What was the reason for the novel
practice of kidnapping people from other groups?
Research other cases where
Aboriginal people were
kidnapped. (Example
Pomiuk, Prince of the
North)
Talk about residential
Social Studies:
schools and what the imGovernment
pact has been on Aboriginal abridgement of
people.
democratic
Activity: Residential
rights
Schools
Campbell, Nicola. (Métis Author). Shin-chi’s Canoe. 2008,
Picture
9780888998576. When they arrive at school, Shi-shi-etko reminds Shinchi, Book
her six-year-old brother, that they can only use their English names and that
they can't speak to each other. For Shinchi, life becomes an endless cycle of
church mass, school, work, and hunger. He finds solace at the river, with his
cedar canoe, a gift from his father, and dreaming of the day when the salmon return to the river - a sign that it’s almost time to return home. This is a
story about a devastating chapter in First Nations history.
McDermott, Gerald. Arrow to the Sun. 1977, 978-0140502114. This intri- Folktale Pueblo
cately illustrated quest story is a story type common to the mythic legends
(Quest)
of many peoples. Typically in hero stories, the hero ventures forth from the
everyday world into a supernatural world where victory over obstacles must
be won, and then returns with gifts for his people. In this circular journey,
the Boy must go on a quest to find himself and in so doing, brings back to
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Talk about residential
Social Studies:
schools and what the imGovernment
pact has been on Aboriginal abridgement of
people.
democratic
Activity: Residential
rights
Schools
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Art: Story illustration
11
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
his people both new spiritual vitality and physical security. “…the book is
superb for its power and abstract beauty.”1
Swanson, Bruce, Gray Wolf's Search. 2007, 978-0977918317. His uncle,
the clan shaman, tells Gray Wolf that his future success depends on completing an important task--he must find a very important person and get to
know him well. When he returns to his clan, an older and wiser Gray Wolf
takes the talking stick from his uncle and shares his new wisdom. Beautifully illustrated.
San Souci, Robert. Legend of Scarface: A Blackfeet Indian Tale. 1978,
0385132476. This is a Blackfeet legend in which a young brave travels to
the land of the Sun to ask for the hand of his beloved. Dated illustrations
and less-than-ideal page design, but there are very few Blackfoot folktales
available.
Oliviero, Jamie (AA) & Brent Morrisseau (CAA). Fish Skin. 1993.
1562824015. A small Cree boy saves his people from dying of thirst when
the Great Spirit gives him a magical fish skin.
McLellan, Joseph. Nanabosho Steals Fire. 1990, 0921827059. An old man
who had fire kept it for himself and was always watching to make sure no
one stole it. Nanabosho changed into a rabbit, fooled the old man’s daughters and got them to take him into their wigwam. There, he let the fire catch
onto his fur and ran out and back to his people and thereby bought them fire.
That’s why how the people got fire and that’s why the rabbit is brown in
summer – to remind the people how they got fire.
O’Neill, Paul. How Dog Became a Friend. 2007, 978-1894463935. Today
dogs are considered man's best friends, but thousands of years ago the world
was a very different place and dogs were animals to be feared. This all
changes one autumn day when a young brother and sister wander too far
from home and are captured by the Old Hag of the Wilderness. The terrified
young children beg passing animals for help, yet none will come to the rescue. But then Dog comes along . . .
Dembicki, Matt. Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection. 2010, 978-1555917241. In Trickster, 21 Native American tales are
adapted into graphic novel form. Each story is written by a different Native
American storyteller who worked closely with a selected illustrator, a combination that gives each tale a unique and powerful voice and look. Stories
range from serious and dramatic to funny and sometimes downright fiendish.
Qitsualik, Rachel and Tinsley, Sean. Qanug Pinngurnirmata: Inuit Stories
1
Picture (NorthBook
west
(Quest) Coast)
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Folktale Black(Quest) foot
(Siksika)
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Folktale Cree
(Hero)
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Folktale
Ojibwa
Compare this story with
Rainbow Crow.
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Activity: Trickster Tales
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Folktale (Labrador) Read for enjoyment.
(Pourquoi)
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
(trickster,
pourquoi,
hero)
Folktale
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Language Arts:
comparing stories, literature
analysis
Language Arts:
comparing stories, literature
analysis
Many
Read for enjoyment.
Activity: Trickster Tales
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Inuit
Activity: Pourquoi and
Language Arts:
(trickster),
graphic
novel
format
Folktale
Social Studies:
People of Canada
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Peterson, Andrea. Second Look: Native Americans in Children's Books. 2007, pp. 223
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
12
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
of How Things Came to Be. 2008, 9780978218683. Eight short pourquoi
stories about how things in the Inuit world came to be, accompanied by
beautiful full-page colour illustrations.
Esbensen, Barbara. Great Buffalo Race: How the Buffalo got its Hump. A
Seneca tale. 1994, 0316911569. When the rains do not come there is a fight
between the old and the young leaders. Some of the buffalo head to where
they think the rain will come instead of showing patience and waiting for it
to come to them. They thunder over the dry prairie, wrecking birds’ nests
and eggs. Many of the buffalo die from hunger. The Great Spirit punishes
their destructive behaviour and lack of patience by giving them a hump
which pushed their heads to the ground so they would move more slowly
and be more aware of the lowly, helpless ones who live on the ground.
Taylor, C.J. (CAA). How Two-Feather was Saved from Loneliness: An
Abenaki Legend. 1990, 0887762549. This origin story tells the origin of
corn, the origin of fire, and the origin of communal life. This story also
available in Spirit of Canada.
Taylor, C.J. (CAA). How We Saw The World: Nine Native Stories of the
Way Things Began. 1993, 0887763022. Here are explanations for the origins of tornadoes, forest fires, butterflies, horses, Niagara Falls and islands.
Includes the Blackfoot story How Horses Came into the World.
Taylor, C. J. (CAA) Bones in the Basket: Native stories of the origin of
people. 1994, 0-88776-450-9. This is a collection of stories about the origin
of the people. These legends from the Chuckchee, Cree, Mandan, Modoc,
Mohawk, Osage and Zuñi nations share a belief that people, animals and the
earth are connected. Each short (1, 2 or 3 pages) story is accompanied by an
interesting painting. Look at Virginia Hamilton's book, In the Beginning,
Creation Stories from Around the World, 1988, for extended interest or
comparisons. Alberta students will be especially interested in the Wesakechak legend "The Raft," a Cree story. This is the story of Wesakechak's
role in saving animals from the flood caused by Giant Beaver.
Simpson, Caroll. First Mosquito. 2010, 978-1926613673. Yax is too young
to accompany his father on a trading expedition and must stay at home with
his mother and his younger sister. Disappointed, he goes off to practice his
spear-throwing. When he loses his spear, he thinks he is old enough to go
into the forest to look for it, even though he has been warned about the dangers that await children who wander into the woods alone. The story tells
how the first mosquito came to be and introduces readers to a world of
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Collection
Creation Tales
Literature analysis
Seneca
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Folktale
(Origin)
Abenaki
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Folktale
Many
(Pourquoi)
Folktale
(pourquoi)
(pourquoi
- creation)
Folktale
Many
(pourquoi
- creation)
Picture NorthBook
west
(Pourquoi) Coast
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Activity: Pourquoi and
Language Arts:
Literature analyCreation Tales
Compare with other creation sis, story comstories.
parison
What was the purpose of
Social Studies:
creation stories?
People of Canada
Activity: Pourquoi and
Language Arts:
Literature analyCreation Tales
Compare some of these
sis, story comcreation stories with First
parison
Words in Our Story.
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Try some illustrations of
other Northwest Coast stories, based on the artwork
style in First Mosquito.
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Art
13
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Lightning Snakes, Woodworm, Creek Woman, Mouse Woman, TwoHeaded Serpents, the Wild Man of the Forest and a Bloodsucking Monster.
Robinson, Gail. Coyote the Trickster. 1975, 0844809233. Trickster characters are often coyotes, and have many-sided personalities. They can be
foolish, magical, tricky, heroic – all leading to a wise and witty reflection of
human nature. Story collection, no illustrations.
Friesen, John W. And Now You Know: 50 Native American Legends.
2010, 9781550593846. Provides short origin, why (pourquoi), how, and
trickster stories from mostly Canadian Nations, including Peigan, Blackfoot,
Cree, Iroquois, Dene, and Swampy Cree. (One black-and-white print illustration for each story, not great quality. Some editing errors.)
Goble, Paul. Her Seven Brothers. 1993, 9780689717307. Tells the legend
of the creation of the big dipper. When an Indian girl begins to make clothes
beautifully decorated with porcupine quills for seven brothers she has not
yet met, her parents believe that unseen powers have spoken to her. The girl
knows she must travel to the north country to find the seven brothers. She
comforts her mother by saying, "Soon you will see me again with my brothers; everyone will know and love us!"
Folktale Many
collection
Activity: Trickster Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Folklore
Activity: Pourquoi and
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Many,
(Pourquoi, Canadi- Creation Tales
trickster, an
Activity: Trickster Tales
creation)
Folktale
Chey-
Compare with other pourquoi stories.
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Compare with The Sister
and Her Seven Brothers
from Girl Who Helped
Thunder and other Native
American Folktales.
Why are tales from many
different places in the world
often very similar?
Goble, Paul. Lost Children: The Boys Who Were Neglected. 1993. A
Folktale Black-foot Tales of children who end
Blackfoot Indian legend in which six neglected orphaned brothers decide to (Pourquoi) (Siksika) up as stars are found
go to the Above World where they become the constellation of the "Lost
throughout the North
Children," or Pleiades.
American continent. Compare with Orphans in the
Sky. Compare with Two
Sisters Who Married
Stars in Girl Who Helped
Thunder and other Native
American Folktales.
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Picture
Contains Compare to one of the origKing, Thomas. Coyote’s New Suit. 2004, 1552634973. Coyote loves his
book
folklore
soft, toasty-brown suit – at least until Raven hints that it might not be the
inal versions: Why Moose
(trickster) elements Has Loose Skin: A
finest in the forest. Suddenly, Coyote is noticing suits wherever he looks –
from
and taking them, too. Soon Coyote has everyone mad at him, and Raven is
Swampy Cree Legend
many
immensely enjoying the resulting chaos. Contains folklore elements from
from John W. Friesen’s
(Pourquoi) enne
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Language Arts:
comparing stories, literature
analysis
cultures
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
14
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
many cultures.
Stott, Jon. A Book of Tricksters. 2010, 9781926613697. A wonderful collection of read-aloud tales from all over the world. Great to compare and
contrast even though illustrations are few and one colour.
Folktale
Collection,
trickster
Many
Friesen, John W. Still More Legends of the Elders. 2005, 1550592793.
Includes trickster legends. Learning legends and moral legends. Trickster
stories include Coyote and Crow: A Yakima Legend and Swift-Runner
and the Trickster: A Zuni Legend. (Hard-to-read titles and one black-andwhite illustration of varying quality per story.)
King, Thomas. Coyote Sings to the Moon. 1998, 1550139460. Hilarious
account of Old Woman singing to the Moon. Other animals join in, but
when Coyote asks to join, they don’t want him because of his horrible
voice. Insulted, Coyote in turn insults the Moon, who decides to dive into
the Pond. In desperation, to get the Moon back into the sky, the animals ask
Coyote to sing to drive Moon away – back up into the sky. It works, but
now every time the Moon tries to go back to the Pond, Coyote must sing to
keep her up in the sky.
Goble, Paul. Iktomi and the Buffalo Skull: A Plains Indian Story. 1990,
0531059111. Again the trickster, the man in the middle, makes a fool of
himself. Iktomi, the Plains trickster, interrupts a powwow of the Mouse
People and gets his head stuck in a buffalo skull. Excellent source notes.
The asides printed in italics mimic the comments of both the storyteller and
the listeners in traditional storytelling. Have two or more readers reading the
various parts as the story progresses.
Goble, Paul. Iktomi and the Buzzard. 1994, 0531086623. Iktomi, the
trickster, tries to fool a buzzard into carrying him across the river on the
buzzard’s back. The asides printed in italics mimic the comments of both
the storyteller and the listeners in traditional storytelling. Excellent source
notes. Have two or more readers reading the various parts as the story progresses.
Goble, Paul. Iktomi and the Ducks: A Plains Indian Story. 1990,
0531070441. After outwitting some ducks, Iktomi, the trickster, is outwitted
by Coyote. The asides printed in italics mimic the comments of both the
storyteller and the listeners in traditional storytelling. Have two or more
readers reading the various parts as the story progresses.
Folktale
Many
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
(Trickster)
And Now You Know: 50
Native American Legends.
Activity: Trickster Tales
Read for enjoyment.
Compare and contrast some
of the stories with other
trickster stories.
Activity: Trickster Tales
Compare with other trickster
stories.
Activity: Trickster Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Language Arts:
Comparing stories, literature
analysis
Picture
book
(pourquoi)
Activity: Pourquoi and
Language Arts:
Comparing stoCreation Tales
Why is coyote often the
ries, literature
object of jokes and tricks in analysis
folktales?
Folktale Plains
Activity: Trickster Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Folktale Plains
(Trickster) (Teton,
Dakota)
Activity: Trickster Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
Folktale Plains
Compare with other trickster
stories involving coyote or
fox.
Activity: Trickster Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
(Trickster)
(Trickster)
15
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Knutson, Barbara. Love and Roast Chicken: A Trickster Tale from the
Andes Mountains. 2004, 1575056577. A clever guinea pig repeatedly outsmarts the fox that wants to eat him for dinner.
Folktale Peru re- Activity: Trickster Tales
Language Arts:
(trickster) gion (An- Compare with other trickster Literature analystories involving coyote or
sis, comparing
des)
stories
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Van Laan, Nancy. Rainbow Crow, 1989, 0679819428. This is a pourquoi
story of how the crow came to have black feathers. When winter comes and
the animals become cold, crow goes on a quest to seek the assistance of the
Great Spirit--who provides the gift of fire, but not without consequences to
the bird’s plumage.
McDermott, Gerald. Papagayo: The Mischief Maker. 1992, 0152594647.
Papagayo, the noisy parrot, helps the night animals save the moon from being eaten up by the moon-dog.
Folktale
(Quest,
Folktale Amazon
(trickster) area
Activity: Trickster Tales
McDermott, Gerald. Zomo the Rabbit: A Trickster Tale from West Africa. 1996, 978-0152010102. This retelling features bold, vibrant shapes and
colours. When Zomo ("He is not big. He is not strong. But he is very clever") beseeches the Sky God for wisdom, he is set three impossible tasks: he
must bring back "the scales of Big Fish in the sea…, the milk of Wild Cow
and the tooth of Leopard." The clever rabbit dupes the three creatures into
giving up these prizes, but then discovers that the joke is on him.
McDermott, Gerald. Jabuti The Tortoise: A Trickster Tale from the Amazon. 2001, 0-15-200496-3. All the birds enjoy the songlike flute music of
Jabuti, the tortoise, except Vulture, who, jealous because he cannot sing,
tricks Jabuti into riding on his back toward a festival planned by the King of
Heaven.
McDermott, Gerald. Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American
Southwest. 1999, 978-0152019587. Coyote decides he wants to fly with the
crows. They humor him, give him feathers, and tolerate his off key singing
and out-of-step dancing, until he begins to boast and order them about.
Then, as Coyote struggles in midair, they take back their feathers one by
one and he plummets to earth. His tail catches fire, and he tumbles into the
dirt. To this day he is the color of dust and his tail has a burnt, black tip.
McDermott, Gerald. Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest. 2001, 978-0152024499. Raven feels sorry for the people living in the
gloomy cold, so he flies to the house of the Sky Chief in search of light and
warmth. To get inside, Raven pulls a shape-shifting trick that allows him to
be born to the god's daughter.
Cameron, Anne. How Raven Freed the Moon. 1985, 0920080677. This is
both a trickster story and a pourquoi story. Raven wants the Moon, and although she gets it from the old fisherwoman’s cedar chest, she can’t carry it,
Folktale West
(trickster) Africa
Activity: Trickster Tales
Folktale Amazon
(trickster) area
Activity: Trickster Tales
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Lenape
fox.
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
pourquoi)
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Folktale American Activity: Trickster Tales
Language Arts:
(Trickster) SouthCompare with other trickster Literature analywest
stories involving coyote or
sis, comparing
fox.
Folktale Pacific
Compare with How Raven
(Trickster, Northwest Freed the Moon.
quest)
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Activity: Trickster Tales
Folktale NorthActivity: Trickster Tales
(Trickster) west Coast Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
stories
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
16
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
and so throws it up into the sky. Black and white illustrations.
Cuthand, Stan, ed. Cree Legends: Stories of Wisakechahk. 1973, 1988,
0920571050. A collection of stories, mostly pourquoi, from the Saskatchewan Cree. Black and white humourous illustrations.
Toye, William. Illus. Elizabeth Cleaver. The Loon’s Necklace. 1977,
0195406753. This is the Native tale of how the loon came to have the distinctive white markings around its neck. Other titles:
Fire Stealer. 1979
Mountain Goats of Temlaham, 1969
Enchanted Caribou
How Summer Came to Canada, 1969
Cameron, Anne. (CA) Raven & Snipe. 1991, 1550170376. The ever-wily,
ever-hungry Raven visits the generous Snipe family, in the hopes of getting
lots of free food. When she gets a bit too greedy, however, she finds out the
Snipes have a few tricks of their own!
Bruchac, Joseph & Bruchac, James. (AA), Girl Who Helped Thunder and
other Native American Folktales. 2008, 9781402732638. Presents 24 stories from various Native American groups, including Blackfoot and Inuit.
The Blackfoot story, Old Man and the Rolling Rock, is about Old Man, a
favourite trickster character in the tales of the Blackfoot. Old Man sometimes changes the world around him, but other times he gets into trouble. In
stories like this one, he is a perfect example of how not to behave. The Inuit
story is Blind Boy and the Loon. Excellent illustrations. For a variation on
the Rolling Rock story, go to Legend of Napi and the Rock at
http://canadian-firstnations.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_legend_of_napi_and_the_rock In this
funny version, the rock is the Okotoks Erratic and it’s after Old Man!
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.
Bruchac, Joseph and James. Turtle’s Race with Beaver: a Traditional
Seneca Story. 2003, 0803728522. A traditional Seneca tale of Beaver and
his swimming challenge to Turtle for ownership of the pond. Turtle outsmarts Beaver, and Beaver learns to share. A version of the traditional tortoise and hare folktale.
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Story
Cree
Collection
(pourquoi)
Folklore
(pourquoi)
Folktale Pacific
(Trickster) Coast
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Enjoy these Canadian Aboriginal folktales.
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Activity: Trickster Tales
Story
Many,
How is Old Man and the
including Rolling Rock a perfect exCollection Blackample of how not to be(Trickster, foot and have?
Inuit
quest)
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Activity: Respect for Nature
Activity: Author Study
Activity: Trickster Tales
Folktale Abenaki
(trickster)
Folklore Seneca
(Fable)
stories
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Language Arts:
comparing stories, literature
analysis
Activity: Trickster Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Compare with the Hare and Language Arts:
the Tortoise (many verComparing, anasions)
lyzing stories
Find other fables, especially
those of Aboriginal origin.
What lesson does this story
teach?
Read Big Small and Little
17
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Small from Spirit of Canada.
Activity: Trickster Tales
Cameron, Anne. CA). Raven Goes Berrypicking. 1991, 1550170368. Ra- Folktale NorthWhat berries grow in your
(Trickster)
west
Coast
ven is clever and tricky – and greedy. She persuades her friends to pick berarea? What growing condiries with her, and tricks them into doing more than their share of the work,
tions do these berries like
for less than their chare of the food. In the end, her friends cleverly teach
best? When are they ready
Raven a lesson. Black and white illustrations.
to pick?
What lesson does this story
teach?
Activity: Trickster Tales
Activity: Food and Medicine
Campbell, Maria. Little Badger and the Fire Spirit. Excellent legend of the Folktale Cree
Activity: Quest or Hero
Alberta Cree people about how they got fire. If this is in your library, pro(Quest)
Tales
tect it, as it is old and long out of print. Full text available at:
http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/artsed/g2arts_ed/drama/appendix.html
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. Beaver Steals Fire: A Salish Coy- Picture Salish
Activity: Quest or Hero
ote Story. 2005, 9780803243231. A long time ago fire belonged only to the Book
(MonTales
animals in the land above, not to those on the earth below. Curlew, keeper
(Quest) tana)
Compare with Little Badgof the sky world, guarded fire and kept it from the earth. Coyote, however,
er and the Fire Spirit
devised a clever plan to steal fire, aided by Grizzly Bear, Wren, Snake,
Frog, Eagle, and Beaver. These brave and resourceful animals raided the
land above and risked all to steal fire from Curlew. Here is an ancient and
powerful tale from the Salish people of Montana.
Lopez, Barry. Crow and Weasel. 1998, 978-0374416133. Long ago, when
Picture
Activity: Quest or Hero
people and animals spoke the same language, two young men left their tribe Book,
Tales
to make an adventurous trek through the wilderness, into the unknown
very
Activity: Respect for Nanorthland. Set in the mythic past and inspired by the traditions of the North
long
ture
American Plains people, this fable of self-discovery follows Crow and Weasel as they face unfamiliar perils on a quest for knowledge and wisdom.
Conquering their innermost fears, the two heroes come of age and learn
more than they ever could have imagined--about humanity's relationship to
the land, the importance of respecting other peoples and giving thanks, and
even the very nature of friendship itself.
Bruchac, Joseph. Children of the Longhouse. 1996, 140385045. An inNovel
Iroquois Activity: Respect for Nadepth look at the long ago way of life of the Mohawks, told through the eyes
ture
of a young boy. Themes of justice, democracy, respect and an underlying
Activity: Author Study
spirituality are conveyed. Tells the story of the Great League of Peace of the
Describe some of the demoIroquois nations. Easy reading.
cratic practices of the IroDeveloped by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Language Arts:
comparing stories, literature
analysis
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, story comparison
Social Studies:
Aboriginal people
Language Arts:
novel
Social Studies:
Historical democratic practices
18
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
quois people.
Tehanetorens. (AA). Legends of the Iroquois. 1998, 1570670560. This is a Folkcollection of stories and writings of Tehanetorens, a storyteller in the Molore
hawk tradition. These ancient stories are presented in pictograph form with
collecEnglish translation, and carry us into the culture of the Six Nations Confed- tion
eracy. The text is supported with illustrations by the Iroquois artist
Kahionhes, son of Tehanetorens.
Carew-Miller, Anna. Native American Confederacies. 2004,
Non9781590841280. Describes some of the confederacies formed among differ- fiction
ent Native American peoples over the past 500 years and discusses the reasons behind these alliances. Includes Iroquois and Blackfoot Confederacies.
Kalman, Bobbie and, Walker, Niki. Native North American Wisdom and
Gifts. (Native Nations of North America) 2006, 0-7787-0384-3. Fairly easy
reading makes this series a good choice. There are lots of photos and drawings, and many sidebars to break up information. Index, glossary, table of
contents, frequent subheads and terms in bold all contribute to ease of reading. Provides a good look into Aboriginal culture, values, and wisdom.
Nonfiction
Bouchard, David. (Métis Author). Seven Sacred Teachings of White Buf- Nonfalo Calf Woman. 2009, 9780978432720. Accompanied by a multilingual
fiction
DVD, text in English and Ojibwe. This volume is a message about traditional values that link all Métis, Aboriginal and Inuit people together. These
teachings are seen in school communities coast to coast across North America. They are: Humility, Honesty, Respect, Courage, Wisdom, Truth and
Love. Describes actions to help achieve these values.
Bouchard, David. (Métis Author). I Am Raven: A Story of Discovery.
Picture
2007, 9780978432706. The chief knew he would soon go to his ancestors,
Book
so he created a new totem pole so his descendants would remember him.
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Iroquois Describe the worldview of
the Iroquois people
Several,
including
Iroquois
and
Blackfoot
Many
Ojibwe
(North
West
Coast)
of Aboriginal
people
Social Studies:
Iroquois of the
Six Nations
Confederacy
Document some of the
Social Studies:
democratic practices of the Historical demoAboriginal people.
cratic practices
Compare the Iroquois and
of Aboriginal
Blackfoot Confederacies.
people
What proposals for change
would you make to our
government based on what
you have found out about
Native American confederacies?
Document some of the cul- Social Studies:
ture, values, and wisdom of Aboriginal peoAboriginal people.
ple of Canada
Activity: Respect for Nature
Activity: Inventions and
Innovations
Activity: Food and Medicine
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories
Describe the traditional val- Social Studies:
ues of the Aboriginal peoAboriginal people.
ple of Canada
What is your totem?
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
19
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Many animals tried to get him to make their images on the totem pole.
Which animal succeeded? What animal is really the chief’s totem?
George, Thomas. Raven and the First People: Legends of the Northwest
Coast. 2009, 9781926696089. Over 25 stories from the Canadian pacific
Northwest. No illustrations.
Zeman-Spaleny, Linda. Lord of the Sky. 2009, 9780887768965. Extraordinarily beautiful illustrations accompany this creation folktale about the
Great Raven, who brought the sun back to the people of the North Pacific
Coast.
Bouchard, David (Métis Author), Illustrator: Allan Sapp, (AA). Nokum is
my Teacher. 2006, 9780889953673. An exploration of aboriginal life
through dialog between a boy and his grandmother, his Nokum. He questions why he should learn to read and wonders if knowledge of the world
outside their reserve has value. Nokum knows that reading opens up a world
of possibilities, even though she can’t read. The boy comes to his own conclusion that she is right and he will read to learn more. The text is in both
English and Cree and is accompanied by a CD recording of the author’s
reading with original music performed by the Northern Cree Singers. Allan
Sapp provides the paintings of First Nations community life.
Mikaelsen, Ben, Touching Spirit Bear. 2002, 9780380805600. Cole is a
15-year-old con and has been in trouble most of his life. One day, he beats a
fellow student so badly the boy suffers permanent damage. This novel is the
story of Cole's redemption and it is also a look at an unusual justice system.
Cole's parole officer arranges for Cole to face "Circle Justice," a Native
American tradition. Cole ends up banished for one year to a remote Alaskan
island, where he meets up with a mysterious, legendary white bear. Mauled
almost to death, Cole begins the transition from anger to humility. Sequel:
Ghost of Spirit Bear.
Karst, Amanda. Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada. 2009,
9781551055725. Includes nearly 600 trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses with separate section for poisonous plants and gives detailed information about the
historical use of the plants by Aboriginal people, both for food and medicine. The book is well-illustrated and has a very usable format.
Harrison, David. Mammoth Bones and Broken Stones: The Mystery of
North America’s First People. 2010, 978-1590785614. Who were the first
humans to reach North America? When did they arrive? How did they get
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Folktale (North
Collec- Pacific
tion
Coast)
Folktale
(Hero)
(North
Pacific
Coast)
Picture
Book
Poetry
Cree
Select several Raven stories
from different sources to
analyze and compare. Are
they hero, trickster, or
pourquoi stories?
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Compare with Little Badger and the Fire Spirit.
Read for enjoyment.
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Novel
Tlingit
Read for enjoyment.
Language Arts:
novel
Nonfiction
Many
Nonfiction
Many
Identify some of the plants
Science: Biologifrom the book in areas near cal Diversity
your home.
Activity: Food and Medicine
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories
Compare this version of
Science: ArchaeAboriginal origins with
ology
First Words in Our Story.
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Language Arts:
Reading
20
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
here? This book explores the various theories about North America’s first
people and shows how scientists are like detectives investigating mysteries
that took place more than one hundred centuries ago.
Cherry, Lynn. Shaman's Apprentice. 2001, 0152024867. For thousands of
years, in the jungles of the Amazon, shamans have passed their wisdom of
the medicinal values of rain forest plants from one generation to the next.
The Shaman's Apprentice tells the story of a Tirio Indian boy who dreams
of one day being the tribal shaman, and how he and his people learn the importance of their own knowledge about the healing properties of the rain
forest.
Picture Tirio
Why are the rain forest
Science: ConserBook (Amazon) plants important?
vation and StewWhy is it important to preardship, Biologiserve the knowledge of edi- cal Diversity
ble and medicinal plants?
Activity: Food and Medicine
Activity: Respect for Nature
Picture Yanom Activity: Respect for NaScience: BiologiBook
amo
cal Diversity,
ture
Conservation
and Stewardship
Cherry, Lynn. Great Kapok Tree. 2001, 978-0152005207. This is a mythlike story that explains the ecological importance of saving the rain forests.
A man falls asleep while chopping down a kapok tree. The forest's inhabitants--snakes, butterflies, a jaguar, and finally a child--each whisper in his
ear about the terrible consequences of living in "a world without trees" or
beauty, about the interconnectedness of all living things. When the man
awakens and sees all the extraordinary creatures around him, he leaves his
ax and "walks out of the rain forest." A map showing the earth's endangered
forests and the creatures that dwell within ends the book, which, like the
rain forests themselves, is "wondrous and rare."
dePaola, Tomie. Popcorn Book. 1984, 978-0823405336. Details the history Nonof popcorn and shows how corn is an Aboriginal food originating in North
fiction
America. Presents a variety of facts about popcorn and includes two recipes.
Himmelman, John. Pipaluk and the Whales. 2002, 978-0792282174. Based
on an actual event, this moving story tells how a young Chukchi girl named
Pipaluk saves the lives of thousands of beluga whales trapped in a channel
with ice closing in around them in the Russian Arctic. When Pipa and her
father discover the whales, their entire village comes together in a valiant
effort to rescue the creatures. At the end of the book, an author’s note describes the real-life event that inspired this story. This book is included because of its unusual topic.
Hehner, Barbara. Spirit of Canada: Canada’s Story in Legends, Fiction,
Poems, and Songs, 2001, 0773762000. A marvelous must-have anthology
of stories, poems and songs taken from the body of children’s literature and
spanning Canadian history, and including many well-loved stories and poDeveloped by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Many
Picture Chukchi
Book (Russia)
Anthology -
poems,
stories,
Many
Read with How TwoFeather was Saved from
Loneliness from Spirit of
Canada
Activity: Food and Medicine
Why is it important to save
whales? What event is the
basis for this story? Can
you find out about similar
stories? Find out more
about the actual events of
this story.
Activity: Food and Medicine
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Science: Biological Diversity
Science: Conservation and Stewardship
Social Studies:
Injustices in Canadian history,
issues in Cana21
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
ems. Lots of colour illustrations. Includes the following Aboriginal stories:
Taylor, C.J. How Two-Feather was Saved from Loneliness
Bruchac, Joseph. Manabozho and the Maple Trees
Fraser, Frances. How the Thunder Made Horses
Skogan, Joan. Scannah and the Beautiful Woman
Clark, Joan. Thrand and Abidith
Hehner, Barbara. Village that Stretched from Sea to Sea
Georgekish, Geordie, et al. Chikabash and the Strangers
De Brébeuf, Jean. Huron Carol
Mon Canot
Hearne, Samuel. Coppermine Feast
Manson, Ainslie. Long Journey of “Our Dog”
Johnson, Pauline. Train Dogs
Ipellie, Alootook. I Shall Wait and Wait
Whelan, Stella. Ballad of Mary March
Shinguacouse. Letter from Shinguacouse
Dunn, Willie. Ballad of Crowfoot
Morrissey, Kim. Address to the Jury
Riel, Louis. Song of Louis Riel
Strange, Ken. Windigo Spirit
Kiakshuk. Giant Bear
Grey Owl. Big Small and Little Small
Keeshig-Tobias, Lenore. Porcupine
George, Chief Dan. And My Heart Soars
Zola, Meguido. Canadian Indian Place Names
Goble, Paul. Buffalo Woman. 1984, 0689711093. A young hunter marries a
female buffalo in the form of a beautiful maiden, but when his people reject
her he must pass several tests before being allowed to join the buffalo nation.
Bruchac, Joseph. Native Stories From Keepers of Life. 1995
Caduto, Michael J. and Bruchac, Joseph. Native Stories From Keepers of
the Earth. 1991, 0920079768. A common thread through these stories is
the view of the world as a family and humans are entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the natural balance.
songs
Folktale General
(Quest) (Plains)
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Story
Many
collection
Story
Many
collection
Activity: Respect for Nature
Read Gluscabi and the
Wind Eagle. What is the
importance of wind and
weather?
Activity: Respect for Nature
Activity: Respect for Nature
Caduto, Michael J. and Bruchac, Joseph. Keepers of the Earth: Native
Story
Many
American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children. 1991, 978- collection
1555913854. This flagship book in the Keepers of the Earth series is an en- and
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
dian governance
Language Arts:
Literature Analysis, comparing
stories
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Science: Biological Diversity
Science: Environment
Science: Environment
22
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
vironmental classic for teaching children to respect the Earth.
Teacher
Resource
Caduto, Michael J. Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants through Native
Story
Many
American Stories and Earth Activities for Children. 1998, 2007,
collection
9781897252192. Keepers of Life uses stories and myths from diverse Na- and
tive North American cultural groups to introduce a variety of topics relating Teacher
interactions with the natural world. It includes information on plant groups, Resource
explanations of biological processes, and discussions of environmental concerns. This information-packed resource is imbued with the spirit of "Responsible Stewardship," a philosophy of empathy for all living things, and
consideration of the effects of our actions on future generations.
Cherry, Lynne. A River Ran Wild. 1992, 0152163727. The story of a river, Nonfrom the first people thousands of years ago, how people came to depend on fiction
it, used it, abused it, polluted it, and finally cleaned it. Beautifully illustrated, and powerfully presented, his book is a classic environmental story.
Activity: Respect for Nature
Science: Biological Diversity
Describe actions taken by
your school or family that
show concern and care for
the environment.
Activity: Respect for Nature.
Activity: Analysis of The
Rabbits
Activity: Respect for Nature
Social Studies:
Environment
Science:
Cameron, Anne. Spider Woman. 1988, 0920080731. When the world begins to slip from its place, it takes Spider Woman, with help from the tallest
tree to save the world.
Bouchard, David. Elders are Watching. 1990, 0-9693485-3-3. This is a
poem about man’s negative influence on nature. The powerful words are on
one page with the facing page a dramatic illustration by a famous native
artist. The words tell us how man has been overly self- indulgent for much
too long and it is time to change to save the environment. It’s a simple and
powerful look into the Aboriginals’ relationship with Nature.
Folktale Northwest
Coast
Poetry
Bourdeau Waboose, Jan. (AA). Karen Reczuch, Illustrator (AI). Morning
on the Lake. 1997, 1-55074-373-2. In this picture book, the author uses her
Ojibway background to tell a series of three linked stories about a boy and
his grandfather who spend a day with nature. The author shows the importance of learning the ways of living in harmony with nature and the wise,
patient and loving ways of Mishomis (grandfather). Reinforces the Aboriginal view of the link between nature and people.
Baylor, Byrd. I’m in Charge of Celebrations. 1986, 0684185792. A dweller in the desert celebrates a triple rainbow, a chance encounter with a coyote, and other wonders of the wilderness.
Caduto, Michael J. Keepers of the Night: Native American Stories and
Picture
Book
Ojibway
Prose
poetry
(Desert)
Activity: Respect for Nature.
Story
Many
Read Creation of the Moon Science: Biologi-
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Science: Environment
Discuss the Aboriginals’
Science: Envirelationship with Nature.
ronment
What is the reason for the
strong respect that Aboriginal people show for nature?
Activity: Respect for Nature
Activity: Respect for NaScience: Environment
ture.
Science: Environment
23
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Nocturnal Activities for Children, 1994, 978-1555911775. Caduto and
Bruchac use stories from various American Indian tribes as the basis for
activities and lessons about the nighttime world. Written as a guide for
teachers and outdoor education leaders working with children in a nature
setting, the guide gives detailed instructions for preparing, conducting, and
evaluating a variety of activities that focus on the nocturnal habits of animals, on astronomy and nighttime weather, and on campfire activities, such
as storytelling, dances, and games. Aspects of many American Indian tribal
practices are woven throughout the text.
Carriere, Ken. Bulrush Helps the Pond. Gabriel Dumont Institute, 2007, 0920915-65-5. Shows prairie wetland ecology as seen by the Swampy Cree
people, looking at the seasonal cycle of nature on a pond. Well illustrated,
each photo shows an animal, water bird, or plant that depends upon a
marshland ecosystem. The focus is the changing seasons: fall, ducks; winter
many animals and birds have left or are hibernating; spring, Canada geese,
bulrushes, mosquitoes, water birds and frogs; summer, ducks, bugs, falcons,
foxes, bulrush is tall and helps the pond by preventing all the water from
evaporating; fall again, birds, bulrush drops its seeds. The cycle of nature is
complete and the reader gains understanding of the fragile prairie wetland
ecosystem. Written in Swampy Cree and English.
Goble, Paul. Star Boy. 1983, 1991, 0689714998. Relates the Blackfoot legend in which Star Boy gains the Sun's forgiveness for his mother's disobedience and is allowed to return to the Sky World. He brings back the sacred
knowledge of the Sun Dance to his people.
Lewis, Paul Owen. (AA). Storm Boy. 1997, 1-55285-268-7. After a violent
sea storm, a young Haida boy washes ashore in an unfamiliar village inhabited by strange colossal beings. He is made welcome with a potlatch, told
stories and taught songs and dances before he returns home to teach these to
his own people. Although he thought he was away for only one night, he
was actually gone a full year in this magical land. Extensive notes at the
back of this book explain the importance of a quest story and analyze the
contents of this book.
Harper, Jo. Legend of Mexicatl. 2000, 978-1890515218. In this picture
book, the boy Mexicatl can hardly imagine being chosen to lead his people
– but one day the Morning Star tells him to search for “a place of harmony”
and shows him the sacred image of the eagle and snake. Mexicatl leads his
people on a long journey and finally finds the place for his people. After
Mexicatl learns the hard lessons of leadership his people finally prosper.
Richly illustrated, this story is drawn from ancient Aztec history
Lewis, Paul Owen. Frog Girl. 1997, 2001, 1582460485. When the frogs
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
collection
and
Teacher
Resource
from Keepers of the Night.
Also read Coyote Sings to
the Moon, Star Boy, and
Skysisters. What was the
original purpose of these
stories?
Activity: Respect for Nature
Picture Swampy Select two wetland animals
Book Cree
or birds and draw a life cycle for each, labeling the
stages and showing how
they depend upon the pond
and also how they help it.
Create a field guide to the
animals and plants referred
to in the story.
Activity: Respect for Nature
Folktale BlackActivity: Quest or Hero
(Quest) foot
Tales
(Siksika)
cal Diversity
Science: Biological Diversity
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, comparing
stories
Folktale Haida
(Hero)
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Folktale (Aztec)
(Quest)
Activity: Quest or Hero
Tales
Language Arts:
Literature analysis, story comparison
Folktale Haida
Activity: Quest or Hero
Language Arts:
24
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
suddenly vanish from the lake behind her village, a young Native American (Hero)
girl is led to the frog village underneath the lake and learns what she must
do to save both the frogs and her own people. Lewis has created his own
story, drawing on the legends and motifs of the Northwest Coast peoples.
Extensive notes at the back of this book explain the importance of a quest
story and analyze the contents of this book. The story itself is spare and
simple with a great deal of information conveyed in the pictures.
Waboose, Jan Bourdeau, Skysisters. 2000, 1-55074-697-9. This is a modern Picture
story of two young Ojibwa sisters as they set off across the frozen north
Book
country and treasure the stillness of the winter evening walk. The story is
not only about the relationship between the two sisters, but also about their
encounter with rabbit, deer and coyote. Most importantly, the story is about
their experience of the northern lights – their sky sisters.
Eyvindson, Peter. Jen and the Great One. 1990, 0921827199. An environ- Picture
mental story that presents a realistic depiction of contemporary First PeoBook
ples. Jen hears the tree and brings her friends to help plant the tree’s seeds.
Tlingit
Tales
Compare this folktale with
Scannah and the Beautiful Woman from Spirit of
Canada and with Goose
Girl.
Literature analysis
Ojibwa
Read for enjoyment.
What is winter like in the
northern part of Canada?
What causes the northern
lights?
Science: Electrical Principles
and Technologies
Auger, Dale. (AA). Mwakwa Talks to the Loon: A Cree Story for ChilPicture
dren. 2006, 978-1894974042. The story shares an experience of a young
Book
man who becomes very proud and boastful of his excellent hunting skills, as
he gets caught up in the adoration, attention and pride his people show him.
In soaking up all this attention he loses his great hunting skills and must
humble himself to the Elders in order to get back his gift. Kayas (k-eye-ass)
has to talk to makwa (mah-quh) the Loon to gain back his powers. Kayas
through this experience learns what it means to be humble, kind and respectful. Includes some text in Cree.
McCurdy, Michael. An Algonquian Year: A Year According to the Full
NonMoon, 2000, 0618007059. As the moon changes, so do the seasons and the fiction
pattern of life for the Northern Algonquians in pre-colonial North America.
With text and black and white scratchboard illustrations, we see the busy
cycle of work, play and survival, and the dignity of people who live in harmony with nature.
Cree
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Algonquian
Why is it important to con- Science: Enviserve trees?
ronment, BiologWhat are some of the reaical Diversity
sons for the strong respect
that Aboriginal people have
for the environment?
Activity: Respect for Nature.
Discuss the Aboriginals’
Science:
relationship with Nature.
Activity: Respect for Nature.
Model for writing.
Make a T-chart to compare
traditional Algonquian life
with our lives today.
What are some of the ways
in which the Algonquians
lived in harmony with nature?
Activity: Respect for Nature
Science: Environment
25
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
McLeod, Elaine. (AI). Lessons from Mother Earth. 2010, 9780888998323.
Tess has visited her grandmother many times without really being aware of
the garden. But today they step outside the door and Tess learns that all of
nature can be a garden. And if you take care of the plants that are growing,
if you learn about them — understanding when they flower, when they give
fruit, and when to leave them alone — you will always find something to
nourish you.
Turnbull, Andy. By Truck To The North: My Arctic Adventure. 1998, 155037-550-4. Andy rides along in a big rig carrying produce from the B.C.
lower mainland to the high arctic. Traveling through the winter forest and
across the arctic circle onto a road of ice, we learn to appreciate the hazards
and beauty of working in the harsh winter environment. Sidebars include
photos and descriptions of the truck interior and the sights of the journey.
Well-marked, clear maps show the journey throughout the book. A musthave book.
Mowat, Farley, Lost in the Barrens. 1956, 9780771066818. Although this
book uses the term “Eskimo’” it has to be understood in terms of the times
in which the book was written. Jamie and his Cree friend, Awasin, are lost
in the barrens of northern Canada and must somehow survive the winter.
Provides a sensitive look at First Nations people and their traditions and
customs. A classic survival story with lots of boy appeal.
Trottier, Maxine. Dreamstones. 1999, 0-7737-3191-1. A captain's son becomes separated from his icebound ship in the Arctic and is rescued by a
mysterious man who turns out to be an Inukshuk briefly come alive as a
man.
Picture
Book
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
(probably Activity: Respect for Nain the
ture
Yukon) Activity: Food and Medicine
Science: Biological Diversity
Describe a selected area of
Northern Canada.
Activity: Maps and Mapping
Language Arts:
Writing
Social Studies:
northern Canada
Describe a selected area of
Northern Canada.
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories
Language Arts:
Writing
Nonfiction
(Adventure)
Novel
Cree
(Adventure, survival)
Make an Inuksuk.
Social Studies:
Describe some Inuit cusInuit
toms and lifestyle.
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories
Crook, Connie Brummel. Maple Moon. 1997, 0-7737-3017-6. This story
Picture Missisauga Compare with Hidden Buf- Language Arts:
gives one version of how the Native people discovered maple syrup. A
Book
falo and Return of the
Compare with
young disabled boy watches a squirrel sipping something from the tree he is (survival)
Buffaloes: a Plains Indian other folktales
resting beside. The boy catches some of the liquid flowing from the tree and
about survival.
story about famine and
brings it back to camp to show his parents the "sweet water." His story is
renewal of the Earth.
not believed until an elder shows faith in his words and they all watch the
Make a retrieval matrix.
wonder of the "sweet water" dripping from the trees. A very useful note by
Activity: Survival and Adthe author on the history of this gift from the Native people is included. This
venture Stories
is a thoughtful story of how a sometimes-ridiculed boy helped his people
stave off starvation.
Blondin, John. Old Man with the Otter Medicine. 2007, 9781894778497. (SurDene
Activity: Survival and Ad- Language Arts:
It is winter and the people are starving. There are no fish. The people must
vival)
Writing
venture Stories
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Picture
Book
Inuit
26
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
get help from the medicine man. Here is a story about an important part of
the history and culture of the Dene people.
Wheeler, Jordan, and Dennis Jackson. (AA). Christmas at Wapos Bay.
2005, 1-55050-324-3. "From Many Peoples" is a series of novels published
to celebrate the extraordinary stories of the many ordinary people who have
shaped the multicultural nature of the western provinces. Christmas at
Wapos Bay was written by two Saskatchewan writers with extensive ties to
the First Nations Cree people. From family stories they have written this
story of three Cree city children and their families who visit their grandparents at a remote location for Christmas. In setting out to hunt with their
Mushom, the children come to depend on the Cree traditions they have
learned from their elders for survival in the bush, and they are able to find
the food that will keep their families together for Christmas. Easy reading
level.
Goble, Paul. Gift of the Sacred Dog. 1980, 0020432801. In response to a
boy’s prayer for help for his hungry people, the Great Spirit sends the gift of
the Sacred Dogs, horses, which help the tribe to hunt for buffalo.
Novel
Cree
(Survival)
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories
Social Studies:
People of Canada
Folktale Plains
(survival)
Compare this folktale with
the Blackfoot version How
the Thunder Made Horses
from Spirit of Canada.
What differences did having
horses make for the Aboriginal people?
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories
Use the illustrations as
models for student art.
List and explain things the
Inupiaq people knew that
helped them survive in the
arctic. What is unique about
their way of life?
How did the Inuit adapt
their daily life to the changing weather?
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Activity: Inventions and
Innovations
Activity: Survival and Ad-
Language Arts:
Compare with
other folktales.
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Lamp, the Ice, and the Boat Called Fish, 2001, Picture Inuit
0-618-00341-X. Based on the true story of the boat “Fish,” part of the CaBook
nadian Arctic Expedition in 1913, this beautiful book details the struggle to (survival)
survive in the high arctic. It demonstrates the knowledge needed for survival
in the far north and the skills the Inupiaq had for survival. The explorers
take along an Inupiaq family for their survival skills and knowledge. The
family provides hunting skills, sewing, snow houses, and much care and
wisdom for the expedition. Beautifully illustrated.
Ipellie, Alootook. Inuit Thought of It: Amazing Arctic Innovations. Offers a well-researched, well-planned and very interesting resource. Organized under such headings as food, shelter, clothing, medicine, dog sleds,
fun, hunting and the kayak.
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Nonfiction
Inuit
Art:
Social Studies:
History of people of Canada,
northern Canada
Science: Environment and
survival
Science: Biological Diversity
Social Studies:
Canadian Identity
27
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Kalman, Bobbie. Life in a Plains Camp. (Native Nations of North America). 2001, 0-7787-0461-0. Portrays the various aspects of life of the Plains
people with their own customs and traditions. Looks at hunting, clothing,
food, family, sports and the roles and responsibilities of various individuals.
The illustrations in the book are well done. Gives general information but
also specific details about selected groups.
Kalman, Bobbie. Nations of the Northwest Coast. With index, glossary,
table of contents, appealing format, and large, bright illustrations, here is an
historical look at the people and their culture. Topics covered include the
distinct customs, cultures, and beliefs of the various nations; dwellings used
in different seasons and locales; fishing and the use of coastal plants and
animals; traditional handicrafts, including carving and weaving; the organization of families, clans, and moieties.
Munro, Ron. Canada’s First Peoples, 2005, 1550414437. An excellent
resource – includes eastern, plains, west coast and arctic people. Canada, A
People’s History series. Very well illustrated, excellent format.
Plains
Non
fiction
Northwest
Coast
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Activity: Inventions and
Innovations
Social Studies:
Canadian Identity
Non
fiction
Many
Use for research and reference.
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Activity: Inventions and
Innovations
Activity: Maps and Mapping
Activity: Vocabulary
Study
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Activity: Inventions and
Innovations
Activity: Vocabulary
Study
Activity: Vocabulary
Study
Social Studies:
Canadian Identity
Characterize Blackfoot customs and lifestyle.
Activity: Aboriginal Cul-
Social Studies:
Canadian Identity
Kalman, Bobbie. Nations of the Plains. 2001, 0778703681. Introduces stu- Non
dents to the customs, languages, and traditional ways of the lives of several
fiction
native nations that lived on the Great Plains of North America, including the
Blackfoot.
Many,
including
Blackfoot
Murdoch, David. North American Indian (Eyewitness books). 1995,
Many
Non
9780756610814. Text and photographs present a collection of Native Amer- fiction
ican artifacts from New York's American Museum of Natural History, ranging from Seminole blowguns, to Hopi rainmaker masks, to Northwest totem
poles.
Rebus, Anna. Blackfoot. 2007, 9781553883319. (Canadian Aboriginal Art
Nonand Culture). Recounts how the Inuit adapted to their surroundings. Outlines fiction
traditional ways of life, religious beliefs, celebrations and artwork. Excellent
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
venture Stories
Use for research.
Activity: Inventions and
Innovations
Activity: Food and Medicine
Nonfiction
Blackfoot
Social Studies:
Canadian Identity
Social Studies:
People of Canada, Canadian
Identity
Social Studies:
History of Canada, People of
Canada
28
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
illustrations and format.
Kalman, Bobbie. Native Homes. (Native Nations of North America). 2001, NonMany
978-0778704638. This book looks at many of the dwellings built by the na- fiction
tive nations across the continent. Detailed illustrations show the exteriors,
interiors, and way of life in each lodge. Discover thatch homes and pueblos
of the Southwest, plank houses of the Northwest Coast, wigwams, longhouses, tipis, earth lodges, pit homes, and igloos.
Goble, Paul. Return of the Buffaloes: a Plains Indian story about famine Folktale Plains
and renewal of the Earth. 1996, 079222714X. This folktale is based on a (survival) (Lakota)
Lakota myth in which a mysterious woman returns the buffalo and the other
animals to the Indian people.
Houston, James. Tikta’liktak: an Inuit Legend. 1989, 1965, 0152877487. Novel – Inuit
Here’s a great little survival story about a boy who is trapped on an ice flow short
and has to rescue himself. This story is very useful in the social studies but
(Surmay use the term “Eskimo,” which the teacher should avoid using. It has
vival)
black and white illustrations but they are striking. A classic survival story.
Very easy reading.
Wiebe, Rudy. Michael Lonechild, illus. (AI). Hidden Buffalo, 2003, 0Folktale Cree
88995-285-X. This book tells the story of the dependency of the Cree peo- (survival)
ple on the herds of buffalo. The beautiful illustrations provide rich detail of
Cree life in the 19th century in Alberta. One of the few really good books
about Alberta Aboriginal people.
Stephenson, Wendy. Idaa Trail: In the Steps of Our Ancestors. 2005, 0- Novel
88899-576-8. Modern children of Dogrib ancestry take a summer canoe trip (Adfollowing the Idaa Trail, a trade route that the Dogrib people traveled. Told
venas a story, with lots of good colour illustrations, this story provides many
ture)
anecdotes about various sites along the way. The trip is a hard one and the
children learn a lot about hardship and perseverance. Interesting and appealing - an excellent and well-researched book. A short chapter book. Go to the
website for an online experience traveling the Idaa Trail:
http://www.lessonsfromtheland.ca
Quan, Holly. Native Chiefs and Famous Metis: Leadership and Bravery BiogDeveloped by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Dogrib
(Dene)
Métis
tural Groups
Use for research.
Activity: Inventions and
Innovations
Compare with Hidden Buffalo and Maple Moon.
Make a retrieval matrix.
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories
Science: Biological Diversity
Language Arts:
Story comparison
Language Arts:
Writing
Social Studies:
Canadian north
Research the ways the Cree Language Arts:
people depended on the
Comparing stobuffalo.
ries
Compare with other
folktales about survival.
Compare with Return of
the Buffaloes: a Plains
Indian story about famine
and renewal of the Earth.
Make a retrieval matrix.
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories
Activity: Aboriginal CulSocial Studies:
Canadian Identitural Groups
ty
Activity: Biography pro-
Social Studies:
29
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
in the Canadian West, 2004, 1551539659. The inspiring and amazing men raphy
in this book have left their mark on Native culture and on the history of the
west. These stories take place during times of rapid change, and are stories
of bravery, courage, adventure, human endurance, and struggles for equality
and land claims. They are also stories of sorrow, sadness, defeat and even
death.
Trottier, Maxine. Sister to the Wolf. 2004, 155337519X. When Cécile, who Novel
is French, sees Lesharo, who is Pawnee, being mistreated by his owner, she
purchases him. She and her father give him his freedom, and they become
fast friends. They try to live in the world of the French fur trade, but they
are torn between two worlds. A superb novel, well worth doing as a readaloud novel study.
Spalding, Andrea. Finders Keepers. 1995, 2008, 978-1550028287. While
Novel
walking through a neighbourhood field in Alberta, Danny finds an 8,000year-old arrowhead. His friend Joshua, who lives on the Piegan reserve at
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, joins him on buffalo hunts, powwows,
archaeological digs, and a break-in at the local museum. In the process
Danny learns about history and begins to overcome his dyslexia. Here’s a
very sensitive portrayal of the Piegan people of southern Alberta in a novel
that is fairly easy reading with strong boy appeal. Easy reading.
Bruchac, Joseph. Skeleton Man. 2001, 978-0-06-029075-7. Set in the preNovel
sent day, this riveting thriller draws from a traditional story told by Algonquian and Haudenosaunee peoples. When Molly’s parents disappear, she is
placed with a man who claims to be her uncle. Bruchac’s gripping descriptions–“…it seemed as if the flesh was melting off his bones”–coupled with
seamless references to Molly’s Mohawk identity make this a must-read
page-turner. Sequel: Return of Skeleton Man.
Guest, Jacqueline. (AA). Free Throw. 1999, 1-55028-664-1. When MatNovel
thew Eagletail's mother remarries, he must adjust to an instant family, a new
home, and a new school. He also has to give up playing for his beloved
Tsuu T'ina Warriors, the basketball team on the reserve. This well-written
story will touch the lives of many young readers as they follow Matthew's
struggles to adjust. A short chapter book, an easy read.
Alexie, Sherman. Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. 2009,
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Novel
ject
Pawnee
People of Canada
Social Studies:
Power, Authority and Decision
Making
Language Arts:
Detecting bias
Social Studies:
Power, Authority and Decision
Making, History
of Canada
Novel study or read aloud.
Read for enjoyment – a
great read!
Compare and contrast the
attitudes of various groups
toward Aboriginal people.
Research the history of
slavery in Canada.
Piegan What rights of the Blackfoot Social Studies:
(Black- people are abridged in this
People of Alberfoot)
novel?
ta and Aboriginal rights
Mohawk Activity: Author Study
Language Arts:
novel
Tsuu
T'ina
Read for enjoyment.
Health and Life
Skills: Develop
effective interpersonal skills that
demonstrate responsibility, respect and caring in
order to establish
and maintain
healthy interactions.
(Spo-
Novel study. (Teachers
Language Arts;
30
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
978-0316013697. This novel tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist
growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the
school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, beautifully written, and based on the
author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings that reflect the
character's art, the story chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one
Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he thought
he was destined to live.
Bruchac, Joseph. Wabi: A Hero’s Tale. 2007, 978-0142409473. Wabi's
great-grandmother Owl gives him the name because of his pale feathers, and
the two owls share a great bond: both understand and speak the language of
humans. Wabi grows strong, and like male adolescents of many species, he
is proud and not a little cocky. But he falls in love with a human Abenaki
girl, Dojihla, as headstrong and confident as himself. Bruchac does a grand
job of capturing the sweet swagger of Wabi as an owl and, later, after he is
transformed into a boy, tucking in bits from a number of animal and monster tales. Wabi finds a wolf companion, learns to work his human body,
and discovers ways to protect his environment and, eventually, Dojihla's
people.
Guest, Jacqueline. (AA). Goal in Sight. 2002, 781550 287806. Assigned to
community service after assaulting a fellow hockey player, Aiden finds
himself helping Eric. Eric is also a hockey player, but one with a difference.
Eric is blind. Through a growing friendship, and with the help of his probation officer, Aiden learns that there are many ways to deal with problems.
The cycle of violence is broken. A short chapter book, an easy read.
Guest, Jacqueline. (AA). Hat Trick. 1997, 1-55028-600-5. This 96-page
chapter book is a contemporary novel about a young 12-year-old girl who
shares the struggles, feelings and challenges in her life. She lives with her
Métis dad and spends weekends with her First Nations mother. She shares
her feelings about changes and her methods for coping. She hangs on to tradition while living in today's world. Her story demonstrates courage, determination and positive self-concept. The story shows how tradition can continue in today's changing world. A short chapter book, an easy read.
Guest, Jacqueline. (AA). Lightning Rider. 1997, 1-555028-720-6. Shares
some of the struggles and challenges that aboriginal young people face
within mainstream society when encountering stereotypical views held by
people. A very good read for students who are examining change, challenges, perspectives and conflicts. A short chapter book, an easy read.
Guest, Jacqueline. (AA). Rink Rivals. 2001, 1-55028-744-3. Short novel
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
(semiauto- kane)
biographical)
Novel
should be aware of sexual
comments in text before
starting a novel study.)
Compare with I Heard the
Owl Call My Name
Abenaki Novel study
Activity: Author Study
Novel
novel
Language Arts:
novel
Read for enjoyment.
Health and Life
Skills: (as
above)
Read for enjoyment.
Health and Life
Skills: (as
above)
Novel
Read for enjoyment.
Health and Life
Skills: (as
above)
Novel
Read for enjoyment.
Health and Life
Novel
Métis
31
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
about twin boys whose lives are altered when the family moves from Northern Quebec to Calgary. The two boys have quite different futures, one in
sports, the other in music. But, by making several bad choices to gain acceptance and to impress a girl, the twins eventually have to learn to rely on
each other and see that they just need to be themselves. An easy read.
Guest, Jacqueline. (AA). Soccer Star. 2003, 1-55028-788-5. Set in Alberta, Novel
this story profiles a young part-Inuit girl's experience in a school in the Edmonton military base. The story is about a 13-year old girl learning to fit
into a new school culture and meet the expectations of her family and new
friends. Students who have had to move to new schools and make new
friends will relate to Samantha's challenges. An easy read.
Guest, Jacqueline. (AA). Triple Threat. 1999, 1-55028-682-X. This is a
Novel
basketball story set in the Calgary area. Matthew Eagletail is a member of a
blended, multi-cultural family. His friend, John from San Francisco, comes
to visit for the summer and coaches Matt's basketball team. John is in a
wheelchair. Issues of blended families, handicaps, fair play, bullying and
Native/non-Native relationships are woven into this story with sensitivity
and humour. A short chapter book, an easy read.
Loyie, Larry. Gathering Tree. 2006, 978-1894778428. The topic is HIV
Picture
Book
with a First Nations storyline.
Rivera, Raquel. Arctic Adventures: Tales from the Lives of Inuit Artists.
2007, 9780888997142. Stories from the lives of four Inuit artists provide an
introduction to Inuit culture past and present. Includes photos of the artists
at work and reproductions of their artwork. An excellent book.
Wiebe, Rudy. Extraordinary Canadians: Big Bear. 2008, 9780670067862. Big Bear (1825-1888) was a Plains Cree chief in Saskatchewan at a time when aboriginals were confronted with the disappearance of
the buffalo and waves of European settlers that seemed destined to destroy
the Indian way of life. In 1876 he refused to sign Treaty No. 6, until 1882,
when his people were starving. Big Bear advocated negotiation over violence, but when the federal government refused to negotiate with aboriginal
leaders, some of his followers killed 9 people at Frog Lake in 1885. Big
Bear himself was arrested and imprisoned.
Wallace, Mary. Inuksuk Journey: An Artist at the Top of the World.
2008, 9781897349267. Documents Wallace’s journey through the Arctic
and shows her artwork done during her search for the Inuksuk.
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Skills: (as
above)
Inuit
Read for enjoyment.
Health and Life
Skills: (as
above)
Read for enjoyment.
Health and Life
Skills: (as
above)
Activity: Students and Aboriginal Issues
Health
Short
Inuit
Stories,
Art
Activity: Biography project.
Nonfiction
Activity: Biography project
Art: Painting
Language Arts:
biography research
Language Arts:
biography research
Plains
Cree
NonInuit
fiction,
Art
Art: Painting
Inuksuks
32
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Patent, Dorothy, Buffalo and the Indians: A Shared Destiny. 2006,
9780618485703. Countless buffalo once roamed the plains of North America and for at least 10,000 years, First Nations people depended upon them
for survival. To them, the buffalo was sacred, and it was treated with great
respect. Then Europeans slaughtered the buffalo almost to extinction and
broke the First Nations culture. Today, both First Nations cultures and the
buffalo herds are being revived.
What are some of the views
of nature held by First Nations people?
What is the reason for the
strong respect that Aboriginal people show for nature?
Activity: Respect for Nature
Activity: Food and Medicine
Activity: Inventions and
Innovations
Smithyman, Kathryn and Bobbie Kalman. Native North American Foods
Non
Use for research.
and Recipes. 2006, 0-7787-0383-5. Describes the growing, collecting and
fiction
Compare food gathering and
preparation of many different foods from different regions and Aboriginal
preparation to ours of togroups from across North America. Text is broken into easily-accessible
day.
segments, and illustrations are many and excellent. An unusual topic with
Activity: Food and Medilots of interesting cultural and lifestyle details in both text and illustrations.
cine
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories
Landon, Rocky. A Native American Thought of It: Amazing Inventions NonMany
Activity: Inventions and
and Innovations. 2008, 978-1554511549. Includes a map of the traditional fiction
Innovations
territories of the various Native American groups. This book shows a great
What chemistry underlies
deal of respect for Native Americans and offers a well-researched, wellsome of the inventions of
planned and very interesting resource. Organized under such headings as
the Native Americans?
food, shelter, transportation, medicine, communication, fun, hunting and
Activity: Maps and Mapfishing.
ping
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories
Love, Ann and Jane Drake, Kids Book of the Far North, 2000,
NonInuit
Research and report writing.
1550745638. The Far North is home to many plants, animals and people
fiction
Activity: Aboriginal Culwho have developed remarkable ways of adapting to one of the harshest
tural Groups
climates on Earth. The book examines the region’s fascinating history,
Activity: Inventions and
modern life, and fragile ecosystem with facts, stories, legends, illustrations,
Innovations
timelines and maps.
Activity: Maps and Mapping
Nelson, S.D. (AA). Black Elk’s Vision: A Lakota Story. 2010,
NonOglala
Activity: Biography pro9780810983991. This unique perspective on American history is included
fiction, (Lakota) ject.
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Nonfiction
Many
Science: Environment and
Conservation
Science: Biological Diversity
Science: Biological Diversity
Science: Biological Diversity
Social Studies:
Canadian Identity
Social Studies:
North American
33
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
here because it is just that – quite unique. With beautiful paintings and
drawing and historical photographs, this picture book tells the true story of
Black Elk using historical documents and Black Elk’s own words. This is
the story of the battles of the Little Bighorn, Wounded Knee, Buffalo Bill’s
Wild West show, the European invasion, and the demise of the buffalo all
from Black Elk’s Aboriginal perspective and experience. Black Elk lived
from 1863 to 1950.
Lightfoot, Gordon. Canadian Railroad Trilogy. 2010, 9780888999535.
This book brings Lightfoot's song, "Canadian Railroad Trilogy," to readers.
The song was commissioned by CBC in 1967 for Canada's centennial year
and has been a classic ever since. It describes the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway -- a great feat of nation building that changed Canada
forever. Illustrator Ian Wallace brings the song to visual life with his landscapes and portrayals of the people who lived the building of the railroad.
The book includes Lightfoot's music and lyrics, a brief history of the railroad, notes on the illustrations and further reading. A treasure!
Bruchac, Joseph. (AA). S.D Nelson (AI). Crazy Horse's Vision. 2000, 1880000-94-6. This is a fictionalized biography about the childhood and
coming of age of the noted Lakota Sioux leader and warrior, Crazy Horse.
Bruchac’s description of the vision quest is compelling, and his decision to
limit his story to a few select events demonstrates his understanding of his
audience. An afterword describes subsequent events in the warrior’s life.
Beautifully illustrated.
Biography
Crow, Joseph Medicine. Counting Coup: Becoming a Crow Chief on the
Reservation and Beyond. 2006, 978-0792253921. (National Geographic).
Joseph Medicine Crow was born in 1913 on the Crow Indian Reservation in
Montana. Trained as a warrior by his grandfather and unaware of the struggles of the tribe, Medicine Crow fondly remembers a childhood filled with
outdoor games, mud fights, and family gatherings. Despite a terrible experience at the Baptist mission school, he went away to boarding school in Oklahoma, and in 1938, he became the first male Crow Indian to graduate from
college. He studied anthropology until he was inducted into the army in
1942. For Medicine Crow's bravery in World War II, he was declared a
Crow war chief. Medicine Crow's gentle humor make his recollections easy
to read and hard to forget.
Bruchac, Joseph. Code Talker. 2006, 978-0142405963. Bruchac assumes
the persona of a Navajo grandfather telling his grandchildren about his
World War II experiences. Protagonist Ned Begay starts with his early
schooling at an Anglo boarding school (residential school), where the Nava-
Nonfiction,
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Music
General
Activity: Analysis of The
Rabbits
history and multiple perspectives.
Language Arts:
biography research
Give examples of how this
book portrays the Aboriginal perspective.
Activity: Analysis of The
Rabbits
Activity: Students and Aboriginal Issues
Social Studies:
Canadian history
and multiple
perspectives
Nonfiction,
Oglala
Activity: Biography pro(Lakota) ject.
Biography
Activity: Author Study
Crow
Activity: Biography project.
Navajo
Novel study.
Read for enjoyment and
additional background to
Navajo Code Talkers.
Biography
Novel
Social Studies:
North American
history and multiple perspectives.
Language Arts:
biography research
Social Studies:
North American
history and multiple perspectives.
Language Arts:
biography research
Social Studies:
North American
history and multiple perspec34
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
jo language is forbidden, and continues through his Marine career as a "code
talker," explaining his long silence until "de-classified" in 1969. Begay's
lifelong journey honors the Navajos and other Native Americans in the military, and fosters respect for their culture. Bruchac's gentle prose presents a
clear historical picture of young men in wartime, island hopping across the
Pacific, waging war in the hells of Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and Iwo Jima. An excellent story, great for boys, a real page turner!
Santella, Andrew. Navajo Code Talkers. (We the People). 2005, 978Non
0756506117. According to Marine Major Howard Connor, "Were it not for fiction
the Navajo, the Marines would have never taken Iwo Jima." During that
battle, "six code talkers worked day and night to send more than 800 messages. They made not a single mistake." The code, based on the Navajo language, was so successful that the enemy never broke it. Consequently, the
army did not want to reveal its existence, and it was not until 1969 that the
Navajo contribution began to be acknowledged.
Olsen, Sylvia. (CAA) Girl with a Baby. 2003, 978-1417643516. Inspired
Novel
by the true story of the Canadian author's half-Indian daughter, this contemporary novel tells of teenage mother Jane, 14, who wants to stay in school
and raise her baby, Destiny, to be respectful of tradition and smart in the
new ways. Jane's family left the reservation because of resentment against
Dad, who is white; now in a white area, they face prejudice for being Indian. Dad is barely there, and Jane's brothers have dropped out of school. But
supported by her strong grandmother and a school friend, Jane makes it. In
fact, she makes it big, and the double climax of the story is the baby's traditional naming ceremony and Jane's star performance in the school play.
Slipperjack, Ruby. Dog Tracks. 2009, 978-1897252291. Abby is having
Novel
trouble fitting in at Bear Creek Reserve. After having lived most of her life
with her grandparents in town, it's definitely a transition moving back to the
reserve. Abby had to leave her best friends at school, her supportive grandparents, and her perfect pink bedroom, and adjust to living with her Mom.
But it's not only being back with Mom that is hard - there's a new father,
John, a pesky half-brother, Blink, a schoolroom full of kids who don't know
her (and don't seem to want to, either), not to mention a completely different
way of life that seems so traditional, so puzzling and complicated.
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Navajo
Activity: Residential
Schools
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Research contributions
made in World War II by
Aboriginal people from
Canada.
Activity: Author Study
Activity: Biography project
Find out if, before the war,
the Navajo were forbidden
to speak their language.
Research contributions
made in World War II by
Aboriginal people from
Canada.
Describe living in two cultures.
AnActivity: Aboriginal Culishinawbe tural Groups
Describe living in two cultures.
tives
Social Studies:
History of North
America
Language Arts:
novel
Social studies:
social issues
Social Studies:
People of Canada, Canadian
Identity
35
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Schilling, Vincent. Great Musicians from our First Nations. 2010,
9781897187760. Follow the journey of 10 talented musicians from the Native community as they make their way to the top. All of them, whether
their music is traditional drumming or mainstream rock bring their own cultural traditions to their music. Includes Shane Yellowbird (Cree).
Schilling, Vincent. Men of Courage from our First Nations. 2008,
9781897187432. Leaders from First Nations have made significant contributions in every major field of endeavor. These men have enriched the lives
of many. In this book are inspiring stories of some of these heroes who
have advanced education, science, politics, law enforcement, and culture.
The men include Larry Merculieff, who helped bring a once enslaved and
oppressed Aleutian people to a position of power and self-sufficiency; Frank
Abraham, an Ojibwe Chief whose wisdom and honesty enabled his tribe to
rise from near financial failure; Raymond Cross, a Coyote warrior who won
a victory of compensation for the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara people; and
Stanley Vollant, an Aboriginal surgeon who fulfilled a 100-year-old Innu
tribal prophecy.
Tallchief , Maria, (AA) with Rosemary Wells. Tallchief: America's Prima
Ballerina. 2001, 978-0142300183. This is a picture-book autobiography of
the early years of America's first internationally significant ballerina. The
story opens with Tallchief's birth on an Osage Indian reservation. Her ScotsIrish mother made sure that Maria and her sister received dance and music
lessons, and eventually her father persuaded her to choose between piano
and dance. The rest is history. The story ends when, at age 17, Maria left
home to seek her fame and fortune in New York.
Kalman, Bobbie. Famous Native North Americans. 2004, 9780778704713. With index, glossary, table of contents, appealing format, and
beautiful, large, bright illustrations, this book provides a look at famous native North Americans, from past to present.
Berry, Susan. Aboriginal Cultures in Alberta: Five Hundred Generations. 2004, 0-7785-2852-9. This book can be used as a student or teacher
resource. Lots of well-researched information with great photos. One copy
has been distributed free to each school in Alberta. Schools are encouraged
to contact the Provincial Museum of Alberta for additional copies. Also
available in French.
Francis, Daniel. Discovering First Peoples and First Contacts. The Discovery series. 2000, 0195414888. Follows early European explorers and
Aboriginal people as Canada opens up and people search for furs, trade
routes, and adventure. The first sections are about the different Native
groups on the coast, plains, and woodlands. Many photos, illustrations,
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Nonfiction,
Many
Activity: Biography project.
Language Arts:
Research and
writing a biography
Many
Activity: Biography project.
Language Arts:
Research and
writing a biography
NonOsage
fiction,
(Autobiog-
Activity: Biography project.
Language Arts:
Research and
writing a biography.
Activity: Students and Aboriginal Issues
Activity: Biography project.
Use for research and reference.
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Language Arts:
Bias in text, research and writing a biography
Social Studies:
Canadian identity
Use for research and reference.
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Read Chikabash and the
Social Studies:
Canadian history, Canadian
identity
Biography
Nonfiction,
Biography
raphy)
Non
Many
fiction,
Biography
Non
fiction
Nonfiction
36
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
maps and "Did you know?" fact boxes. Format is easy to read and understand with short sections, many subheadings. Excellent resource.
Jaenen, Dr. Cornelius J. First Contact, 2005, 9780176336592. An excellent Non
resource – shows the Aboriginal people before contact, and details many of
fiction
the events and situations that both benefited the Aboriginals and harmed
them after contact with Europeans. Canada, A People’s History series. Very
well illustrated, excellent format. European point of view but makes an excellent attempt to present both European and Aboriginal worldviews.
Cardinal, Phyllis. Cree People. 1997, 155220037X. The Cree people of Alberta are shown both past and present, and in transition.
Non
fiction
Cree
Bouchard, David. (Métis Author). Secret of Your Name. 2009,
Prose
Métis
9780889954397. Story of a person discovering his Métis heritage and look- poetry
ing back over the culture and history of the Métis. Includes CD. Text in
English and Michif (Métis language.)
Cardinal, Will. First Nations Hockey Players. 2009, 9780981094212. 170 Biography Many
pp., not illustrated. Provides stories of Canadian First Nations hockey players.
Biography Many
Marks, Don. They Call Me Chief. 2008, 978-1897289341. Here are the
fascinating stories of native athletes who overcame tremendous obstacles to
star in the National Hockey League. From Fred Sasakamoose (Chief Running Deer on Skates), the first Indian to play in the NHL who overcame the
abuse of Canada's residential school system, to Reggie Leach (The Riverton
Rifle) whose battle with the bottle kept him out of the Hockey Hall of Fame,
They Call Me Chief chronicles the journeys of North America's most famous "warriors on ice" as they battle racism, culture shock, isolation and
other roadblocks to success. This is essential reading not only for fans of
Canada's national game, but also for anyone interested in North American
culture and history. Includes DVD.
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Strangers from Spirit of
Canada. Also read Encounter.
Activity: Maps and Mapping
Activity: Vocabulary
Study
Use for research and reference.
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Read Chikabash and the
Strangers from Spirit of
Canada. Also read Encounter.
Use for research.
Characterize the Cree people.
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Describe some of the characteristics of Métis culture.
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Activity: Biography project.
Activity: Biography project.
Social Studies:
Canadian history, Canadian
identity
Social Studies:
Cree of Alberta,
Canadian identity
Social Studies:
People of Canada, Canadian
identity
Language Arts:
Research and
writing a biography
Language Arts:
Research and
writing a biography
37
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Cardinal, Will. Tom Longboat: Running Against the Wind: A First Nations Canadian Conquers the World’s Marathons. 2009,
9780981094250. 140 pp., includes a few photos.
Biography Onondaga Activity: Biography pro-
ject.
Web site BlackWikipedia: Blackfoot - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackfoot. This Web
foot
site gives a good overview of Blackfoot history and culture. It clarifies the
various groups that comprise the Blackfoot Confederacy and describes the
Confederacy.
Story of the Blackfoot People. 2001, 1552633632. For the first time in his- NonBlacktory, the Blackfoot people share their culture, beliefs and traditions with the fiction foot
rest of the world. Includes way of life, Blackfoot World, how they lived together, the land, other people, buffalo days. Lots of photos, maps, historic
information, well-researched history, supported with early photos and
quotes. Done in collaboration with the Glenbow Museum.
Glenbow Museum: Niitsitapiisini Our Way of Life: The Story of the
Blackfoot People - http://www.glenbow.org/blackfoot/. Information, photos, graphics and activities abound in this interesting Web site.
Web site Blackfoot
Bouchard, David. (Métis author) Raven’s Greatest Creation. 2011, 978Folktale Canadi0978432775. One of Bouchard’s best books, this story combines many folk- (Pouran
quoi)
(Ojibwe)
lore elements from Canadian Aboriginal tradition to tell a marvelous creation story. Includes a CD with all artwork and music done by Aboriginal
artists.
Developed by Thalia Hartson for the Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
Compare the Blackfoot
Confederacy with our democracy.
Tell ways the people lived
in harmony with the land.
Document some of the culture, values, and wisdom of
the Blackfoot people.
In what ways were democratic rights of the Blackfoot people circumvented?
Activity: Inventions and
Innovations
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Activity: Maps and Mapping
Activity: Respect for Nature
Use for research.
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Activity: Maps and Mapping
Activity: Respect for Nature
Activity: Inventions and
Innovations
Activity: Pourquoi and
Creation Tales
Language Arts:
Research and
writing a biography
Social Studies:
Blackfoot People
of Alberta
Science: Environment
Social Studies:
Democracy,
Blackfoot people
of Alberta
Social Studies:
Democracy,
Blackfoot People
of Alberta
Language Arts:
Literature analysis
38
Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 9
Using Literature in Teaching Social Studies
Advantages:











Widespread availability
Easily integrated into thematic curricula
Generally more up to date
More focused and provide an in-depth look at social studies 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 social studies than do textbooks
Evoke both efferent (factual) and aesthetic response (emotional)
Can be very funny
Support Deliberative Inquiry and Research
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 Learning Network, November 2010, updated 2014.
39