Heather O'Watch
Heather O'Watch is a Nakota and Nehiyaw woman from Okanese First Nation, located in Treaty 4 Territory. She lives in Regina, Saskatchewan. Heather is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan and hopes to continue a career in governance and policy. Heather enjoys spending time with her family, relatives, and five dogs.
Kids Books (2)
Synopsis:
tānisi! my little one, tānisi!
Auntie always greets Cree in Nehiyaw when she comes for a visit. When Auntie arrives with a surprise gift hidden in her bag, Cree can’t wait to discover what it is. The first clue? It’s from the rez. As Cree tries to figure out what it might be, the bag starts to move. Cree is thrilled when the bag opens and out jumps a rez puppy!
Cree asks Auntie how to take care of the new puppy. Auntie talks to Cree about the importance of dogs in their culture. They are our relatives, she explains, and need to be well taken care of. Cree decides she will name her new puppy "Atim", the Nehiyaw word for dog.
Awards
- Winner of the 2021 Second Story Press Indigenous Writing Contest
Reviews
"Everyone has an auntie like the auntie in this book! She is eclectic and kooky and brings surprises that come with important teachings about responsibility and reciprocity.” — Nancy Cooper, First Nations Consultant for the Southern Ontario Library Services and coordinator for First Nation
“The Auntie in this story sounds so cool and I can just imagine how exciting it would be when she came to visit. This story is fun and sweet and has a great message about taking care of our pets and one another.” — Jodie Callaghan, author of Ga’s/The Train
Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.
A dual-language edition in English and Plains Cree, Y Dialect, is available: okāwīsimāw omēkiwin askīhkānihk ohci / Auntie's Rez Surprise.
Additional Information
|24 pages | 8.50" x 8.50" | Hardcover
Synopsis:
Auntie always greets Cree in Nehiyaw when she comes for a visit. When Auntie arrives with a surprise gift hidden in her bag, Cree can’t wait to discover what it is. The first clue? It’s from the rez. As Cree tries to figure out what it might be, the bag starts to move!
Reviews
"Everyone has an auntie like the auntie in this book! She is eclectic and kooky and brings surprises that come with important teachings about responsibility and reciprocity.” — Nancy Cooper, First Nations Consultant for the Southern Ontario Library Services and coordinator for First Nation
“The Auntie in this story sounds so cool and I can just imagine how exciting it would be when she came to visit. This story is fun and sweet and has a great message about taking care of our pets and one another.” — Jodie Callaghan, author of Ga’s/The Train
Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.
Dual-language edition in English and Plains Cree, Y Dialect. Translated by Dorothy Thunder.
Dorothy Thunder is a Plains Cree (nêhiyawiskwêw) from Little Pine First Nation, Saskatchewan and full-time Cree instructor in Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta.
This book is available in English: Auntie's Rez Surprise.
Additional Information
24 pages | 8.50" x 8.50" | Hardcover
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