laget hiyt toxwum / Herring to Huckleberries

Synopsis:

Preview Images (3)

Join ošil and her grandparents as they harvest food along what is now called the southwest coast of British Columbia!

It’s ošil’s favourite time of year! When the seasons change and the weather grows warm, the ɬagət̓ (herring) return to the waters of the ɬaʔəmɩn Nation, located on the southwest coast of British Columbia. For ošil and her grandparents, their arrival is the beginning of a full year of harvesting traditional foods provided by the sea and land. Together they fish, pick berries, and dig for clams. Everything tastes so good. And the best part is that there is enough for everyone to share!

Connect with the land and explore traditional Indigenous ways of gathering food in this beautifully illustrated picture book written in the language spoken in Tla’amin and English. Drawn from the childhood memories of ošil (betty wilson), this book is sure to charm readers of all ages.

Reviews
“I absolutely loved this story. [It] gives readers the opportunity to experience life through the main character's eyes as she harvests traditional foods with her grandparents.The colourful images and descriptions—of herring roe, fish soup, and mashed fresh harvested berries with oven bread—are wonderful and made me wish for all these delicacies.”—Nicola I. Campbell, author of Stand Like a Cedar

“Prashant Miranda's expressive illustrations bring ošil’s story of ɬaʔəmɩn lands, language, and food to life. Whether this is an introduction to ʔayʔajuθəm or a warm trip down memory lane, as it was for me, this book will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.”—Cameron Fraser-Monroe, dancer and choreographer (Royal Winnipeg Ballet)

"This book is written in ʔayʔajuθəm and English, exploring traditional foods and land stewardship of the ɬaʔəmɩn Nation. ošil (Betty Wilson) honours her grandparents and what they taught her about food gathering when she was growing up in the 1950s. She shares her experience gathering food (berries, shoots) and fishing (herring and herring eggs), showing that this was a community endeavour meant to benefit all. Each page shows the traditional methods of gathering or fishing that have been used since time immemorial. Younger grades can learn about the food sources that are explained in the book, and older grades can build on this with the concept of resources, resource extraction, and land stewardship. Teachers of older students could also extend student learning by leading an inquiry into the Tla’amin Final Agreement Act that secures the Nation’s right to harvest on what is now provincial Crown land. This could be further extended by learning about treaty agreements. There is a teacher guide available."—Alethea S., Elementary School Teacher, Indigenous Books for Schools

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Explore this captivating story that bridges generations, celebrates cultural practices, and immerses readers in the rich traditions of the Tla’amin Nation.

Connect with the land and explore traditional Indigenous ways of gathering food in this beautifully illustrated picture book written in the language spoken in ʔayʔajuθəm and English.

Dual-Language: written in the language spoken in Tla'min and English.

The backmatter includes information on traditional foods in Tla'amin, a glossary, a note from the author, and a map.

Big Ideas: Land-Based or Place-Based Learning, Aspects of Indigenous Cultures: Traditional Foods, STEM: Seasonal Cycles, STEM: Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability.

This title is included in the Indigenous Books for Schools database from the Association of Book Publishers of BC; it is recommended for Grades 2 to 5 for English Language Arts and Science.

Additional Information
44 pages | 7.75" x 10.25" | Hardcover