Michael James Isaac
Originally from the Listuguj First Nation in Quebec, Michael James Isaac has taught for over six years within the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board and has since taken a position as Student Services Consultant (Mi’kmaq Liaison Office) within the Department of Education in Nova Scotia.
Kids Books (4)
Synopsis:
Pris entre deux mondes, le puma a du mal à trouver un lieu où il est à sa place. En tant que chat fantôme, le puma vit comme il le devrait : dans la forêt, mais sans ses amis.
Misinsit miawe'k tapu'kl wskitqamu'kl, Ajik alme'si wejitoq ta'n tett tleyawit. Skite'kmujewey Mia'wj mimajit ta'n tel nenk 'kisoqe'k pasik mu eymu'kk witapk.
Educator Information
This resource is also available in English and Mi’kmaw: How The Ghost Came to be Called the Ghost Cat / Ta'n Petalu Telui'tut Skite'kmujew Mia'jw.
Additional Information
42 pages | 14.00" x 11.00"
Synopsis:
The story of Ajig the cougar, who is trapped between two worlds, A symbol of the assimilation of First Nations through enforced Western education systems.
The human need to belong is very powerful, so much so that we often sacrifice parts of who we are in order to be accepted. This is the tale of a young cougar, Ajig, who makes this sacrifice – and pays dearly. A curious and adventurous cougar, Ajig decides to build a new home in a strange forest. When he finds that all of the animals in the forest are afraid of him, Ajig agrees to stop behaving like a cougar so that he can make friends. But when Ajig tries to return to his birthplace, he learns that he is no longer welcome. Lost between two worlds, the young cougar becomes a “ghost cat.”
This beautifully illustrated book, written in both Mi’kmaw and English, reflects the experiences of First Nations peoples’ assimilation into the Euro-Canadian school system, but speaks to everyone who is marginalized or at risk.
Educator Information
This resource is also available in French and Mi'kmaw: Comment le Puma a fini par etre appele le Chat Fantome / Ta'n Petalu Telui'tut Skite'kmujew Mia'jw
Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 10.00"
Synopsis:
Aigle répartit sept savoirs fondamentaux parmi les animaux de la forêt, mais il oublie de mentionner une importante mise en garde; et ainsi, les animaux s’empêtrent dans la jalousie, la convoitise et l’égoïsme. Aigle se doit sauver les animaux et c’est ainsi qu’il est amené à découvrir le sens du savoir le plus important: la vérité.
Educator Information
This book is also available in English and Mi'kmaq as The Lost Teachings/ Panuijkatasikl Kina’masuti’l.
Additional Information
48 pages | 14.00" x 10.00"
Synopsis:
One day as the great Eagle flew high above the forest he came upon a small bundle containing seven teachings, teachings that will bring balance, harmony and peace to all who practice them. But the teachings come with a simple warning: beware of envy and greed.
As Eagle spreads the seven teachings throughout the forest, he forgets to heed their warning and soon the forest is lost to jealousy, greed and selfishness. Eagle must save the forest, and he soon learns the most important teaching of all: truth.
“When you see Eagle flying high in the beautiful sky above, ask yourself this: Am I proud of myself? Have I respected myself, others, and the environment? Have I stood up for someone and stood up for what is right? Have I practiced the teaching of truth?”
This engaging story, with beautiful illustrations by Dozay (Arlene) Christmas, allows the reader to reconnect to and understand the seven teachings and their meaning in relation to themselves and society as a whole. The Lost Teachings is a story about the importance of the seven teachings — wisdom, respect, love, honesty, humility, courage and truth — and how interconnected they are in achieving balance, harmony and peace for individuals and society as a whole.
Educator Information
This resource is also available in French and Mi'kmaq: Les Savoirs Perdus / Panuijkatasikl Kina'masuti'l
Additional Information
48 pages | 5.25" x 8.75"