Bill Helin
Bill Helin is of Tlingit, Tsimshian, and Norwegian descent and is a member of the Tsimshian Nation, born and raised in the Northwest coastal community of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. His father was Arthur Helin; his grandfather, Henry William Helin, was Chief of the Gitlan Tribe; and his grandmother, Maud Helin, was Chief of the Gitgeese Tribe. Bill spent many hours listening to his grandmother’s stories of the Tsimshian People. He was amusing his family, friends, and teachers with caricatures and cartoons at a young age. Bill has illustrated many children’s books published by Strong Nations.
Kids Books (15)
Animals Care for Mother Earth: A Teaching Resource for Personal Development
$16.95
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tsimshian (Ts'msysen);
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771745970
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
Animals Care for Mother Earth comprises six contemporary, interrelated stories and supporting resources for teachers. In the first story, animals cooperate to clean up a polluted pond. In subsequent stories, they care for each other in the aftermath of the pollution problem, demonstrating strength of character and social responsibility. This book can be used in elementary schools to teach—through storytelling—the value of personal strengths and community supports while incorporating Tsimshian language and knowledge into classroom lessons. It also provides many opportunities to extend the learning to other curriculum areas, including science, math, reading, writing, social studies, and art.
Reviews
"This teaching resource uses storytelling as a way to impart knowledge and initiate discussions and activities that support social and emotional learning. The book contains six interrelated stories that teachers can read aloud to their elementary school students. Embedded in the stories are Tsimshian words, and each story is accompanied by a full-page, full-colour illustration by Tsimsian artist, Bill Helin. In the first story, Ganaw (Frog) discovers a leaking oil can at the edge of Pine Forest Pond. He overcomes misgivings about his own safety when he asks Xsgyiik (Eagle) and Gaak (Raven) to help remove the polluting oil can. Other animals in the forest pitch in to clean up around the pond. In the following stories, the animals work through issues related to the incident, developing character strengths and social responsibility in the process.
Classroom Connections: Comprehensive support materials are provided for each story, including lesson plan ideas and activities. Science-based information about a plant that has significance in Tsimshian culture is also included in the support materials for each story." - Canadian Teacher Magazine, Spring 2023 Issue
Educator Information
Recommended for use with grades 1 to 6 (elementary students).
Everything educators need is included in this single work -- contemporary Indigenous stories to read aloud and explore with students, as well as story guides, a map, plant information pages, suggestions for classroom activities, discussion questions, inquiry activities, talking together points, information to support intergenerational or peer-to-peer learning, and connections to the Core Competencies and social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies.
Find a bundle for Animals Care for Mother Earth that includes the book and learning environment resources HERE!
Additional Information
32 Pages | 8.5" x 11" | ISBN: 9781771745970 | Paperback
Collection Histoires fortes - Les Tlingits: Construire un canot
$11.50
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771742764
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
Bill Helin est un artiste, sculpteur et conteur tlingit. Dans ce livre, il décrit, étape par étape, la fabrication de son premier canot de cèdre. En commençant par la recherche de l’arbre idéal dans la forêt jusqu’ au premier voyage du canot complété, chaque étape est clairement décrite et illustrée.
Educator Information
This resource is also available in English: Making a Canoe.
Additional Information
16 Pages | 6" x 9" | ISBN: 9781771742764
Collection Histoires fortes - Les Tlingits: Corbeau rapporte la lumière du jour
$11.50
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771742788
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
Dans ce livre magnifiquement illustré, Bill Helin raconte comment Corbeau a libéré le soleil, la lune et les étoiles. Le Chef des Ténèbres avait pensé qu’il était rusé en les gardant tous cachés. Découvrez combien Corbeau est astucieux lorsqu’il se transforme au moment de rendre au monde la lumière du jour.
Educator Information
This resource is also available in English: Raven Returns the Daylight.
Additional Information
16 Pages | 6" x 9" | ISBN: 9781771742788
Collection Histoires fortes - Les Tlingits: Fabriquer un tambour
$11.50
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771742771
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
Dans ce livre, Bill Helin explique l’importance des chansons et des tambours pour la culture et l’Histoire chez les Tlingits. Il décrit également le processus qu’il a suivi pour faire son premier tambour. Des directives illustrées et une liste de matériel aideront le lecteur à bien comprendre l’artisanat du tambour.
Educator Information
This resource is also available in English: Making a Drum.
Additional Information
16 Pages | 6" x 9" | ISBN: 9781771742771
Collection Histoires fortes - Les Tlingits: Histoires de totems à Hong Kong
$11.50
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771742757
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
En 2012, Bill Helin se rend à Hong Kong à dans une école pour sculpter deux totems. Un totem représente la culture chinoise et l’autre reflète sa culture tlingit. Ce livre décrit les totems et la façon dont ils ont été sculptés pendant trois mois.
Educator Information
This resource is also available in English: Hong Kong Story Totems.
Additional Information
16 Pages | 6" x 9" | ISBN: 9781771742757
Collection Histoires fortes - Les Tlingits: La Pêche chez les Tlingits
$11.50
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771742801
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
Bill Helin a grandi dans une famille de pêcheurs. Dans ce livre, il décrit des outils et des méthodes de pêche traditionnels chez les Tlingits. Il parle aussi de plusieurs poissons : le hareng, le saumon, le flétan, la morue, le sébaste et l’eulakane. Bill et sa famille leur sont reconnaissants.
Educator Information
This resource is also available in English: Tlingit Fishing.
Additional Information
16 Pages | 6" x 9" | ISBN: 9781771742801
Collection Histoires fortes - Les Tlingits: Le Don du saumon
$11.50
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771742740
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
Le texte lyrique de Bill Helin et les illustrations engageantes de cette histoire sur l’origine du saumon, son sa chaîne alimentaire et son cycle de vie raviront les lecteurs de tous les âges.
« Elles ont grandi et grandi et un beau jour, c’est fabuleux, elles ont trouvé qu’elles avaient une queue. Puis mâles et femelles, tous les deux avaient une bouche et deux beaux yeux. »
Educator Information
This resource is also available in English: Gift of the Salmon.
Additional Information
16 Pages | 6" x 9" | ISBN: 9781771742740
Collection Histoires fortes - Les Tlingits: Les Conteurs tlingits
$11.50
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771742818
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
Dans ce livre, Bill Helin explique l’importance des récits et des conteurs pour la culture et l’Histoire des Tlingits. En utilisant souvent des animaux de la forêt et de l’océan comme personnages, les conteurs ont tissé des leçons de survie, de respect et de vie familiale dans l’étoffe de leurs histoires.
Educator Information
This resource is also available in English: Tlingit Storytellers.
Additional Information
16 Pages | 6" x 9" | ISBN: 9781771742818
Collection Histoires fortes - Les Tlingits: Ours Esprit
$11.50
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771742795
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
Un jour de printemps, les animaux de la forêt se sont rassemblés avec Mère Ours pour faire la connaissance de ses deux nouveaux oursons. Comme ils émergeaient de l’antre, Corbeau a donné une plume blanche sacrée (un symbole de paix et d’harmonie) à l’un d’entre eux. Cette histoire magnifiquement illustrée d’un petit ours esprit est écrite en texte lyrique et plaira aux lecteurs de tout âge.
Educator Information
This resource is also available in English: Spirit Bear.
Additional Information
16 Pages | 6" x 9" | ISBN: 9781771742795
Strong Stories Tlingit: Gift of the Salmon
$9.95
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771741088
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
As Raven flew over the forest, some of the salmonberries that he was carrying in his beak fell into the river. The berries washed out into the ocean where, “They grew and they grew until each sprouted a tail. Then two eyes and a mouth, both male and female.”
Bill Helin’s lyrical text and engaging illustrations will delight readers of all ages with this story about the origin of the salmon and its food chain and life cycle.
Educator & Series Information
Gift of the Salmon is part of the Strong Stories: Tlingit 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.
This resource is also available in French: Le Don du saumon.
Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741088
Strong Stories Tlingit: Hong Kong Story Totems
$9.95
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771741118
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
In 2012, Bill Helin traveled to Hong Kong to work with a school to carve two totem poles. One pole is about the Chinese culture and the other reflects his Tlingit culture. This book describes the poles and the process of carving them over a period of three months.
Educator & Series Information
Hong Kong Story Totems is part of the Strong Stories: Tlingit 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.
This resource is also available in French: Histoires de totems à Hong Kong.
Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741118
Strong Stories Tlingit: Making a Canoe
$9.95
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771741125
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
Bill Helin is a Tlingit artist, carver and storyteller. In this book, he describes the step-by-step process of making his first cedar dugout canoe. From searching for the right tree in the forest to paddling the finished canoe for the first time, each step is clearly described and illustrated.
Educator & Series Information
Making a Canoe is part of the Strong Stories: Tlingit 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.
This resource is also available in French: Construire un canot.
Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741125
Strong Stories Tlingit: Making a Drum
$9.95
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771741101
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
In this book, Bill Helin explains the importance of songs and drumming to the culture and history of the Tlingit people. He also describes the process that he went through to make his first drum. An illustrated series of directions and a supply list will give the reader a clear understanding of the drum maker’s craft.
Educator & Series Information
Making a Drum is part of the Strong Stories: Tlingit 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.
This resource is also available in French: Fabriquer un tambour.
Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741101
Strong Stories Tlingit: Raven Returns the Daylight
$9.95
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771741064
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
In this beautifully illustrated chapter book, Bill Helin tells the story of how Raven freed the sun, moon and stars. The Chief of Darkness had thought he was clever to keep them all hidden away. Discover how Raven shows how clever he can be as he transforms himself to return daylight to the world.
Educator & Series Information
Raven Returns the Daylight is part of the Strong Stories: Tlingit 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.
This resource is also available in French: Corbeau rapporte la lumière du jour.
Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741064
Strong Stories Tlingit: Spirit Bear
$9.95
Artists:
Format:
Paperback
Text Content Territories:
Indigenous American; Alaska Native; Tlingit; Indigenous Canadian; First Nations; Tlingit;
ISBN / Barcode: 9781771741095
Synopsis:
Synopsis:
One spring day the forest animals gathered with Mother Bear to meet her two new cubs. As they emerged from the den, Raven gifted a sacred white feather (a symbol of peace and harmony) to one of them. This beautifully illustrated story of a little spirit bear is written in lyrical text and will appeal to readers of all ages.
Educator & Series Information
Spirit Bear is part of the Strong Stories: Tlingit 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.
This resource is also available in French: Ours Esprit.
Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741095
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