When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson
This compelling story about a young girl questioning her grandmother’s love of colourful clothing, long hair, Cree language, and tight family ties will help to sensitively open a classroom conversation about the hardships of life at residential schools. Dreary, lifeless, monotone colours in grandmother’s residential school scenes contrast starkly with the warm earth-tones of her loving home and nature settings. With the integration of some Cree language, strong similes and repetition of key phrases, this poignant pattern story honours an integrity, truth and reconciliation that will connect with children. A valuable parent/teacher guide, available free on the publisher’s website, features important concepts, lesson ideas, a Cree word list, and a short video of the author and a teacher discussing teaching difficult subjects with When We Were Alone. |
Wisdom for Our First Nations by Kim Sigafus and Lyle Ear.
Twelve Elders are profiled in this book for young readers. These brief biographies contain wisdom gained from a long life and are driven by a desire to actively pass down their knowledge. Each Elder shares their perspective on important life lessons for future generations with special emphasis on maintaining cultural roots. This resource can be used as examples for biographical writing. The stories are easy to read, represent a mix of male and female voices, and allow a comparative analysis between life in the US and Canada as an Indigenous person. Cultural concepts and more information about the Elders are expanded in a glossary and appendix. |
The River of the Salmon People by Jeannette Armstrong The title refers to people united by the Fraser River, “the main artery of Mother Earth.” This book grew out of two years of consultations with Elders, youth, artists, fishers, and leaders from 13 First Nation bands. It contains insightful stories, songs, and vibrant art, all dealing with five main themes: a unifying force; expressing diversity; history of change; spiritual and cultural relationships; and a place of hope and reconciliation. Environmental stewardship insights include the importance of an intertribal treaty to manage resources, worries about salmon ingesting plastic, depleted fish species, and water systems disrupted by development. Salmon ceremonies allowing people to worship the water and revere the salmon enable them to be “reawakened by the river” and help them reconnect with their culture after being spiritually lost for years |
Sacred Feminine by Jackie Traverse
This book’s author/illustrator envisioned her bold, beautiful portrayals of Indigenous women as images that would help to heal and educate readers and colourers of all ages. Each page carefully details scenes that incorporate nature, loving relationships, and symbols of transformation and Indigenous culture in a flowing, contemporary style. Several pages at the end of the book offer interpretations of the scenes through the artist’s personal story and the teachings of the traditional values and beliefs. Images with titles such as “My Heart is for My People,” “Tree of Life,” “Called to the Drum,” and “Prayers for Our Sisters” model an inspiring spirit of resilience, strength, and empowerment. The Anishinaabe illustrator and author is a Winnipeg artist who works in several disciplines. She is also a community activist. |
Stolen Words by Melanie Florence
A buoyant seven-year-old girl with long braids “black as a raven’s wing” happily carries the dream catcher she made in school while she walks home hand-in-hand with her loving grandfather. Upon asking him to say “grandfather” in Cree, his sad recollections of a “cold and lonely” school far away from his family disturb the granddaughter. With great empathy she offers him her dream catcher so he can try and “catch” his lost language. Unlike her grandfather’s severe teachers at residential school, the girl’s teacher kindly helps her find an introductory Cree language book in the library. It rekindles warm childhood memories for her grandfather, unlocks his imprisoned “stolen words,” and frees his heart to dance once again. This touching story of resilience and family bonding despite damaging generational legacies, is enhanced by softly hued, heart-tugging illustrations. The award-winning Toronto author is of Cree and Scottish heritage. |
I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer
The author’s grandmother, Irene Couchie, was eight years old in 1928, when officials took her and her brothers away from their family in Northern Ontario to a harsh residential school far away. Her mother’s last cry kept Irene strong: “Never forget who you are!” The story requires in-depth classroom discussions because the cruelties and prejudice Irene suffered, as well as the startling ending (when her father refuses to return his children to the school) is sure to shock many students. The dreary colours and dispirited characterizations in the illustrations reinforce the storyline of oppression and misery. The final pages feature information about the residential school system and an afterword by co-author Dr. Jenny Dupuis, an educator. Co-author Kathy Kacer wrote the multiaward-winning Holocaust story The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser. |
The Mask That Sang by Susan Curry This novel is about resilience and finding the way back to one’s culture of origin. After time at residential school with its resulting trauma, Cass’s grandmother gives up her daughter for adoption. As a result, the impact of residential school gets passed along to Cass’s mother, who endures a childhood in foster homes. Although Cass knows she is loved, bullying leaves her feeling worthless. Then Cass finds an Iroquois healing mask in her grandmother’s house. Its spirit starts singing words of encouragement. She learns to stand up for herself and also becomes an ally and friend to others. The emphasis is on healing, embracing one’s family history, and the dignity to be found in accepting help from others. In addition to the theme of generational trauma, points of discussion include the supernatural, family relationships, and living in poverty. Susan Currie is a winner of Second Story Press’ Aboriginal Writing Contest. |