Leah Marie Dorion

sînapân kîskasâkâs: A Guide to Making Contemporary-Style Métis Ribbon Skirts will assist you in the creation of your own Métis style ribbon skirt. Authors, Bonny Johnson and Leah Marie Dorion guide you through the process with detailed instructions which are accompanied by photographs of each step. This resource comes with a companion DVD, and introductions from both authors on the historical and contemporary uses of these traditional Métis style ribbon skirts.

Educator Information
Grade Level: Secondary, Post Secondary, Adult 

Level 12 - Back cover book introduction: New Year’s Eve is on December 31. It is the last day of the year. At midnight the old year ends and a new one begins. In this book you will learn about some of the ways that Métis families have fun on New Year’s Eve.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 12 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: La veille du jour de l’An métis.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740678

Level 16 - Back cover book introduction: The Red River cart is very strong. It is built by the Métis people to carry heavy loads of furs and other things. This book will show you how a Red River cart is made.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 16 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: Une charrette de la rivière Rouge.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Book Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740692

Level 10 - Back cover book introduction: We often give thanks for the things in our lives that we are grateful for. In this book you will read about many of the things that Métis Elders give thanks for.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 10 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French HERE!

Additional Information
16 Pages | Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740708

Level 8 - Back cover book introduction: Beads are small. They come in many colours. This book is about learning to make things with beads.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 8 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: Je peux perler.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Book Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740715

Level 6 - Back cover book introduction: Métis people have different ways of traveling over the land and water in the summer, fall, winter and spring. This book will show you some of the ways that Métis people can travel.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 6 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: Les Métis voyagent! 

Additional Information
16 Pages | Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740722

Level 3 - Back cover book introduction: This book is about a Métis sash. This sash is made from 5 coloured threads. The threads are woven together. Weaving the threads together makes a sash very strong.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 3 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: Ma ceinture fléchée métisse.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740739

Level 14 - Back cover book introduction: A Métis vest is a piece of clothing. It is like a short jacket but it has no sleeves. It has buttons down the front. Métis women decorate the vests with colourful designs and fringes. There are pictures of two Métis vests in this book. Which one do you think would be the hardest to make? Why?

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 14 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: Deux gilets métis.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740685

Level 18 - Back cover book introduction: Métis mothers have many ways to carry their babies. This book will show you some of the ways that Métis mothers carried their babies long ago.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Readers Métis Series. The Strong Readers Métis Series includes a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books that provide cultural reflections of the Métis.

This is a Level 18 book in the series.

This resource is also available in French: Les façons de porter un bébé métis.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Dimensions: 6in x 9in | ISBN: 9781771740746 

A beautiful traditional Métis story about the creation of the moon. How did Mother Earth and Grandmother Moon come to be named as they are? Do you know why you have the name you were given?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for intermediate students (grades 4-6).

How the Moon Came to Be is part of the Strong Stories: Métis series. Strong Stories focus on different First Nation territories from across Canada and the United States. These stories reflect the belief that our stories are the roots of our people, our lands and our cultures. It is from our stories that we grow and become strong and proud.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771743143

Both the Métis people and dandelions have great resiliency in their ability to survive. They both have similar characteristics. What is it about dandelions that makes them strong and resilient?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for intermediate students (grades 4-6).

Métis and Dandelions is part of the Strong Stories: Métis series. Strong Stories focus on different First Nation territories from across Canada and the United States. These stories reflect the belief that our stories are the roots of our people, our lands and our cultures. It is from our stories that we grow and become strong and proud.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771743150

Métis Singing Sticks are more than musical instruments, they are also special family time spent together. Join Leah as she shares a family story. What is a special family time that your family has?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for intermediate students (grades 4-6).

A Story About Métis Musical Traditions is part of the Strong Stories: Métis series. Strong Stories focus on different First Nation territories from across Canada and the United States. These stories reflect the belief that our stories are the roots of our people, our lands and our cultures. It is from our stories that we grow and become strong and proud.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771743167

People need boxes to put things into when moving from one place to another. There are many kinds of boxes today. Long ago, there were only wooden boxes which were all handmade. What kinds of boxes have you seen?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for intermediate students (grades 4-6).

Métis Transport Boxes is part of the Strong Stories: Métis series. Strong Stories focus on different First Nation territories from across Canada and the United States. These stories reflect the belief that our stories are the roots of our people, our lands and our cultures. It is from our stories that we grow and become strong and proud.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771743174

Long ago, pemmican was a staple food for Métis people. At that time, it was made with dried and crushed buffalo meat mixed with grease and dried berries. Pemmican could last through the winter months in storage. What is a type of food that you know of that can last a long time?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for intermediate students (grades 4-6).

Pemmican Berries is part of the Strong Stories: Métis series. Strong Stories focus on different First Nation territories from across Canada and the United States. These stories reflect the belief that our stories are the roots of our people, our lands and our cultures. It is from our stories that we grow and become strong and proud.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771743181

Leah Marie Dorion’s poetry reflects her deep connection to Mother Earth, which she has had since she was a child. Each poem gently recognizes all that is around us and the importance of being respectful. What is one way that you show respect to Mother Earth?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for intermediate students (grades 4-6).

Poems to Honour Mother Earth is part of the Strong Stories: Métis series. Strong Stories focus on different First Nation territories from across Canada and the United States. These stories reflect the belief that our stories are the roots of our people, our lands and our cultures. It is from our stories that we grow and become strong and proud.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771743198