Written and illustrated in the tradition of the Kwantlen people, Joseph Dandurand's second book is an endearing tale of two sisters and their connection with nature.

In the water sat a sturgeon, born there, so they say, thousands of years ago, though the sturgeon themselves have been here for two hundred million years. It was at first a little egg, a big egg, born into the river. Now the sturgeon is back but how did it get here? How did the first sturgeon come to be? Earth and the river, moons and suns and clouds. Time, thousands of years and the Skwó:wech has seen it all. But what gift does the sturgeon have for us?

So begins this second charming story for children by Kwantlen storyteller Joseph Dandurand. The sturgeon, spirit of the great river, eludes human fishers until two young sisters neglect to follow their mother’s instructions. What follows provides a moving exploration of the importance of sharing and kinship with all other living things.

The story is told with grace and simplicity by a master storyteller in the great tradition of the Kwantlen people. Accompanied by Elinor Atkins’s illustrations, A Magical Sturgeon is a touching follow-up to Dandurand’s bestselling children’s book The Sasquatch, the Fire and the Cedar Baskets.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

This is the second book in the Kwantlen Stories Then and Now series.

Additional Information
32 pages | 7.00" x 8.50" | Paperback

In this story, Log Pond has frozen over, and the class is ice fishing! Bell sings a song for good luck. Will the class catch anything? 

Mi’gmaq go ice fishing in the winter. Traditionally, they used sticks as fishing rods.  

Have you ever gone ice fishing? 

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4-7, for use in kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms.

Cedar School Decodables is divided into six sets, which increase in word count and complexity of sentence structure. Fishing for Smelts is in Set 4 – Longer Words, and reviews -es, -ed (/d/, /t/, and /ǝd/), and -ing. Books in Set 4 have 90-100 words.   

Readers should be familiar with the concepts included in Set 1 to Set 4: 

• consonants 

• beginning and end blends 

• short and long vowels 

• digraphs 

• a /o/ 

• s – /s/ and /z/ 

• -s, -es, -ed, and -ing suffixes 

• VC-CV, V/CV, VC/V, and compound words 

• possessives 

Series Information
Welcome to Cedar School! Join Liv, Tom, Gus, and Bell as they learn on the land and explore Mi’gmaw teachings with their teacher, Miss Sam, and the school’s Mi’gmaw Elder, Jen. With charming illustrations and simple storylines, this decodable series engages students as they practise their reading skills. Each book includes a pre-reading review of non-decodable words, and many of the books introduce special words related to Indigenous teachings. Talking Together prompts facilitate discussions led by the reading teacher. 

Developed in partnership with Dyslexia Canada, Cedar School Decodables is a series of 20 decodable books for young readers. Designed for students who have previously learned short vowel and consonant sounds, additional phonic skills are developed progressively throughout the series.

The series will be accompanied by Cedar School Decodables Teacher’s Guide and a series of four picture books, which will be available at a later date.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.5” x 5.5” | Paperback | ISBN: 978-1-77174-647-2 

In this story, the class learns how to fish for salmon with a net. But first, Jen must mend the net!

Salmon fishing is important to Mi’gmaq. Mi’gmaq use nets to fish for salmon in large rivers. Traditionally, the inner part of pine trees was used to make and mend nets.

Have you ever seen a fishing net?

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4-7, for use in kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms.

Cedar School Decodables is divided into six sets, which increase in word count and complexity of sentence structure. Mend a Net is in Set 1 – Short Vowels, and reviews short e. Books in Set 1 have 40-60 words.

Readers should be familiar with the concepts included in Set 1:

• consonants
• beginning and end blends
• short vowels
• s – /s/ and /z/
• -s suffix

Series Information
Welcome to Cedar School! Join Liv, Tom, Gus, and Bell as they learn on the land and explore Mi’gmaw teachings with their teacher, Miss Sam, and the school’s Mi’gmaw Elder, Jen. With charming illustrations and simple storylines, this decodable series engages students as they practise their reading skills. Each book includes a pre-reading review of non-decodable words, and many of the books introduce special words related to Indigenous teachings. Talking Together prompts facilitate discussions led by the reading teacher. 

Developed in partnership with Dyslexia Canada, Cedar School Decodables is a series of 20 decodable books for young readers. Designed for students who have previously learned short vowel and consonant sounds, additional phonic skills are developed progressively throughout the series.

The series will be accompanied by Cedar School Decodables Teacher’s Guide and a series of four picture books, which will be available at a later date.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.5” x 5.5” | Paperback | ISBN: 978-1-77174-639-7

Jimmy Benge is excited to celebrate his thirteenth birthday with an ice fishing adventure in northern Minnesota. He's even allowed to invite his best friend, Ryan, to spend winter break at the family’s lakeside home. The two boys learn a lot about ice fishing and catch a few panfish but decide to fish for something bigger: Northern pike, the alpha predators of the lake. The trip is fun until one day, while out fishing by themselves, the boys are hit by a sudden, unexpected snowstorm and find themselves fishing on thin ice.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 11.

This book is part of the Wilderness Ridge Series. Authentic hunting and fishing stories are brought to life in this chapter-book series perfect for fans of Jake Maddox. Readers will experience the highs and lows of outdoor adventures—from the thrill of a young hunter’s first deer camp to the disappointment of missing a big fish. No matter the outcome, these stories will demonstrate essential skills young sportsmen and sportswomen need, including teamwork, respect, personal responsibility, and positive thinking. With action-packed illustrations and accessible text, Wilderness Ridge will reel in readers and have them hunting for the next book.

Additional Information
72 pages | 5.25" x 7.50" | Paperback

"My sister and I were excited for a visit with our favourite elder, and we were hoping to convince her to take us out for an adventure!"

Adventure begins when Grandma takes her two grandchildren out for a trip to the lake. After showing the kids how to prepare for a fishing trip, Grandma and the kids enjoy a day of jigging in the ice for fish. Grandma shows them every step they need to know to complete a successful fishing trip, from what clothes to wear, to how to drill and clear holes in the ice, to how to make a traditional Inuit jigging rod. By the end of the day, the kids have a yummy meal of Arctic char, and they have also learned everything they need to know to go out on the lake on their own.

Reviews
“Fishing with Grandma, which offers an engaging tale of two grandchildren and their grandma on an Arctic adventure, is ideal for primary grades.”  — CM Magazine

“Readers learn about the traditional tools of the trade through prose peppered with Inuktitut and also take away a sweet message of caring for our elders, as the youngsters share their yummy Arctic char with those who can no longer jig for themselves.” — Hakai Magazine

Educator Information
Find the French translation of this book here: À la peche avec grand-maman

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 9.00"

“I am the Elwha, rushing down to the sea. I am the Elwha, wild and free.”

The Elwha River flows 72 kilometres (45 miles) from its source in the Olympic Mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the Pacific Northwest. Uniquely, it hosts all six salmon species (Pink, Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Steelhead, and Chum) as well as several species of trout. 

In 1911 two dams were built on the river. The dams blocked the migration routes of the salmon and dramatically altered the entire river ecosystem for 100 years. In 2012 the dams were decommissioned and the world’s largest dam removal and habitat restoration project began.

In this lyrical and beautifully illustrated book, the author chronicles the history of the Elwha. Narrated by the powerful voices of plants and animals that inhabit the river ecosystem, the dam builder, a worker, and the river itself, this story celebrates the ongoing rewilding of this special environment and offers a welcome to all of the creatures who are coming home.

To learn more visit:  www.elwha.org

Awards

• 2021 Riverby Award for Young Readers

Reviews
“I Am the Elwha is a powerful read about a powerful river and those who value and protect it." – Raina Delisle, Hakai Magazine 

Educator Information
At the back of the book are three pages of cultural, scientific, and historical information that discuss the following:

• the importance and symbolism of salmon to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and other Coastal Salish Tribes
• facts about the six species of salmon found in the Elwha River (Chinook, Pink, Chum, Sockeye, Coho, and Steelhead)
• the history of the Elwha River and its status today

Keywords / Subjects: The Elwha River, Rivers, Dams, History, Environmental Awareness, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Coast Salish, Native American, Culture, Washington, Animals, Salmon, First Salmon Ceremony, Plants, Nature, Settlers, Social Responsibility, Environmental Activism, Poetry.

Recommended for grades 3 to 7.

Additional Information
32 Pages | 8.5" x 11" | ISBN: 9781771744744 | Hardcover

Authenticity Note: This lyrical story, which chronicles the history of the Elwha River, is written by Lori Peelen. Robert Elofson, Tribal Elder and Harvest Manager in the Natural Resources Department for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribes, approved Lori's work and contributed a few pages of back matter at the end of the work. Lori's story was further approved by Frances Charles, the Tribal Councilwoman for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, after the entire council read and approved it.

The Canadian Content label has been applied because the illustrator of this work is Canadian.

Based on Haida artist Robert Davidson's own experiences with Tsinii (his grandfather), this beautiful story highlights intergenerational knowledge and authentic learning experiences.

Off the northern tip of Haida Gwaii, a boy goes fishing with his tsinii, his grandfather. As they watch the weather, jig for halibut, and row with the tides, there’s more to learn from Tsinii than how to catch a fish.

Written by the creators of Potlatch as Pedagogy, this book brings the Haida Sk'ad'a Principles to life through the art of Janine Gibbons.

Reviews

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

This book is part of the Sk'ad'a Stories series.

Keywords & Themes: Haida, Haida Gwaii, Family, Elders, Intergenerational Knowledge, Fishing, Outdoor Activities, Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Harvesting, Coast.

Additional Information
40 pages | 8.12" x 9.00" | Hardcover

Twins Harley and Rhiannon Hummingbird have always been competitive. But there's one thing the siblings can agree on—they can't wait to travel from their Oklahoma home to their grandparents’ new cabin in northern Wisconsin. Both Harley and Rhiannon are looking forward to a week of swimming, boating, and most importantly, fishing. While there, they learn about the best baits, the best techniques, and the importance of location in having a successful day fishing. But the most important lessons they learn are about teamwork and persistence.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 11.

Part of the Wilderness Ridge series, which features authentic fiction stories about hunting and fishing activities. 

The first-person point of view puts readers in the midst of the action. 

Action-packed illustrations attract young fans of outdoor sports.

Perfect for reluctant readers.

Additional Information
72 pages | 5.25" x 7.50" | Paperback

Oolichan Moon is a beautifully illustrated children’s book about passing down traditional knowledge from Nisga'a Elders and the sacredness of traditional foods, particularly the oolichan fish.

Together, author Samantha Beynon and illustrator Lucy Trimble have created a children’s book rich with cultural knowledge and tradition that relates to their Nisga'a ancestry surrounding the oolichan fish.

With playful text and vibrant illustrations, young readers can learn alongside the two Nisga'a sisters as they are gifted with sacred knowledge from their Elders, passed down for many generations in the oral tradition.

A gorgeous celebration of Nisga'a language, history and culture, Oolichan Moon also includes historical and cultural information about the oolichan fish and related Nisga'a vocabulary.

Awards

• 2023 Indigenous Voices Awards Winner: Published Graphic Novels, Comics and Illustrated Books

Reviews
"Oolichan Moon is a wonderful story with such simple teachings for all of us. The oolichan were so important for many people of the rivers. The long winter is over, and Spring is here and so too the oolichans return to feed and provide for the people. Today, we still fish for the Oolichan but like most fish of the river their numbers are low. This story teaches all of us that we must only take what is needed and that we should always give something back. This is survival. This is the teaching." — Joseph Dandurand, storyteller and author of A Magical Sturgeon and The Sasquatch, the Fire

"Samantha Beynon and Lucy Trimble have created a beautiful, heart-warming story featuring a nutritious and iconic little fish of the Northwest Coast. Since time immemorial, oulachens have served as a food and esteemed condiment for the Nisga’a Peoples of the Nass Valley and for many other coastal First Nations from Alaska to the Columbia River. Through the delightful teachings of wise and kind grandparents, the granddaughters—and we, as readers—are able to learn about oulachens and their immense cultural value. We learn how and when they are caught, and how they are prepared, and especially how they are rendered into a nutrient-rich and highly valued oil. At the same time, we experience “history, laughter, and love,” and gain insights into the deep and lasting relationships that Indigenous Peoples have developed with the fish and other species of their homelands and how children and youth are taught about these profound connections. The illustrations are stunning." — Nancy Turner, Professor Emeritus, University of Victoria, and author of Plants of Haida Gwaii

“I had a little tear welling up in my eye as I thought how cool it will be for kids to be reading about part of their culture. This kind of story is long overdue and badly needed. I hope it is the first of many.” — Edward Desson, fisheries manager, Nisga’a Fisheries and Wildlife, Nisga’a Lisims Government

"Packed with traditional knowledge, family values and deep wisdom, this story instantly transports you to a timeless place! Like visiting with family, you can feel strength and warmth beaming from each page." — Lucky Budd, author of Peace Dancer and One Eagle Soaring

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 6.

This is the first book in the Sisters Learn Foods of the Elders series.

Additional Information
32 pages | 11.00" x 8.50" | Hardcover

You don't need to have all the answers to be a helper.

Indigenous artist and storyteller Andrea Fritz tells a tale of a salmon and a sea otter who learn it's ok to say "I don't know" and to ask for help.

Thuqi’ the sockeye salmon knows it’s time to spawn, but she is lost in the Salish Sea and doesn't know the way to Sta'lo’, the river. When she asks Tumus the sea otter for help, he doesn’t exactly know either, and he dismisses her questions. But when Tumus becomes lost in some weeds, Thuqi’ shows him that it’s okay not to know something—you can still find a way to help a friend in need.

In this original story set in Coast Salish Traditional Territory, author and artist Andrea Fritz uses Indigenous storytelling techniques and art to share the culture and language of the Hul’q’umi’num’-speaking Peoples.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

This book is part of the Coast Salish Tales series.

Themes/Subjects: Nature and Animals; Fish and Marine Life; Courage, Bravery, Hope

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.75" x 10.75" | Hardcover

In Salmon Boy: A Legend of the Sechelt People, a young boy is captured by a Chum salmon and brought to the country of the salmon people-a dry land beneath water where "the salmon people walked about the same as people do above the sea." The boy lived with them for one year, and his captivity becomes a source of learning that will ensure the survival of his own people.

After accompanying the salmon people on their run, the Sechelt boy hops out of the river and returns home to teach everything he has learned to his people who, from that time forward, treat the salmon properly and always have enough to eat. The salmon people, now respected by the humans, happily "give their rich flesh to feed the people of the land."

This beautiful story is accompanied by black and white illustrations of the boy and his adventures. Though written especially for children, Salmon Boy, with its simple message of responsibility and respect, will appeal to all ages.

Educator Information
Simple and compelling First Nations drawings illustrate this dynamic story that teaches respect for the environment and describes the life cycle of the salmon.

Series Information
This book is part of the Legends of the Sechelt Nation series.

Additional Information
24 pages | 7.00" x 8.50"

Level 1 Illustrated by Bill Helin. Back cover book introduction: Many animals fish for their supper. What are some things that animals fish for?

Educator & Series Information
Fish for Supper is part of the Strong Readers: Set A series. Set A includes a mixture of both fiction and non-fiction books, from levels 1 through 10, based on the appearance, behaviours, and habitats of frog, bear, eagle, and raven. The fictional stories are about frog, bear, eagle, and raven with their friends in their respective habitats.

The Strong Readers are a guided/leveled reading series chock full of science, numeracy, social responsibility, language arts and oral language teachings. Strong Readers are rich with scaffolded text features and have beautiful illustrations and photographs. The entire series is interconnected and follows the cultural values of frog, bear, eagle and raven throughout.

Guided Reading Level: 1

This resource is also available in French: Du poisson pour le souper.

Additional Information
Book Dimensions: 6.5in x 5.5in | Pages: 16 | ISBN: 9780987967015

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

Dog Salmon is the bully of the river and is taught how important it is to respect others. The story also integrates the natural salmon cycle.

Additional Information
18 Pages | 8.5" x 7" | Paperback | ISBN: 9780987967008

Celebrated Mi'kmaw artist behind The Thundermaker returns with a story about friendship and the importance of traditional knowledge.

From the bestselling creator of The Thundermaker comes another adventure featuring Little Thunder and Wolverine — a trickster, who is strong and fierce and loyal. The two are best of friends, even though Wolverine can sometimes get them into trouble. Their favourite pastime is eel fishing, whether it's cutting through winter ice with a stone axe or catching eels in traditional stone weirs in the summer. But that all changes one night, when they encounter the giant river eel — the eel that is too big to catch. The eel that hunts people!

At once a universal story of friendship and problem-solving, Wolverine and Little Thunder is a contemporary invocation of traditional Mi'kmaw knowledge, reinforcing the importance of the relationship between the Mi'kmaq and eel, a dependable year-round food source traditionally offered to Glooscap, the Creator, for a successful hunt.

Educator Information
Recommended ages: 4-8

Additional Information
40 pages | Paperback

The ink and watercolour illustrations in this book reflect the life cycle of a salmon from the salmon’s point of view looking up from underwater.  Silhouette images provide a clue to the seasons and to the predators the salmon encounters throughout its life.  The story reminds us how the salmon demonstrates great determination and strength in its long journey from the stream where life begins, to the ocean, and back to its natal stream.  
 
Carol ends the story with a step-by-step instructional guide to create your own ink and watercolour image.

Educator Information
This is the 10th anniversary edition from CSWA Science in Society award-winning author/illustrator Carol McDougall, B. Ed., M.A. Carol is an international educator and conservationist with decades of classroom and fine arts teaching experience. She conducts workshops on using the arts to help make learning creative and engaging.

Recommended Grades: K-5.

Additional Information
32 pages | 11" x 8.5" | ISBN: 9781771744461 | Hardcover

There are lots of fishes in the Arctic!

Learn about the different types of fishes that live in Nunavut waters. This non-fiction science book provides information about what different types of fishes look like, where they live, what they eat, and other interesting facts about them, along with colourful illustrations and photographs.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 10.

This book is part of the Junior Field Guide series. Perfect for learning all about living things in the Arctic! These Junior Field Guides give information and interesting facts about the different animals that live in Nunavut.

Includes some traditional knowledge about the animals included.

Curriculum Connections: Supports science units on the natural environment and animals of the arctic.

Simpler, classroom-ready version of the adult book Common Fishes of Nunavut. Includes one spread per species, with information like where they live, what they eat, what they look like, and other facts. Includes a glossary of English biological terms at the back. 

Additional Information
32 pages | 7.50" x 10.00" | Paperback 

Each book in the series, From the Mountains to the Sea, supports the new BC Aboriginal Learning Standards in both Science and Social Studies.

Click link to download a Grade 2 five-week planning guide: Grade 2 FREE Download for We Are a Community

Back of book introduction:
From the Mountains to the Sea: We Are a Community is a Grade 2 resource, which covers all of your Aboriginal Learning Standards in both science and social studies within the new BC curriculum.

This book is about a river. Most rivers start high up in the mountains. As the water comes downhill, it makes little pathways in the rocks and gravel. As the pathways get bigger, they join to make streams. When several streams join, they make a river. Some rivers have waterfalls and deep pools. In some places, fast moving water tumbles over rocks forming rapids. When a river leaves the mountain for flatter ground it starts to slow down. Eventually, a river ends when it flows into the sea. Where the fresh water and the salt water meet is an estuary. Have you ever been to an estuary?

The area in and around an estuary is a good place for plants, animals and people to live because we can all find food and water there. The salmon is an important food for many of us. Have you ever eaten salmon?

People have paid attention to the life cycle of salmon for thousands of years. We have learned that sometimes we can help salmon survive by building a salmon hatchery along a river. Some hatcheries are huge while others are quite small. Have you ever visited a salmon hatchery?

There are many sizes of rivers in the world. Some are wide. Some are narrow. Some are deep. Some are shallow. Do you live near a river? What plants and animals have you seen there?

This book is also part of a bundled package that includes:

• a card game: matching and sequencing
• a CD
• bulletin board trimmers

Click here to view the bundle: From the Mountains to the Sea: We Are a Community Bundle

This resource is available in French: Collection Des montagnes à la mer: Nous sommes une communauté

Additional Information
Book dimensions: 10" x 14" | Pages: 16 | ISBN: 9781771741033

For young readers, an inspiring story about a river, a successful Native-led movement for environmental justice, and the making of a scientist.

Growing up in the Yurok and Karuk Tribes, Brook Thompson learned to care for the fish that nurtured her and her family. She knew that along the Klamath River in Northern California, salmon and lampreys are a needed part of life. But she also saw how these fish were in danger. People had built dams along the Klamath River, making it very hard for salmon and lampreys to live. Tribal people and their friends organized to have four of the dams removed, and they won. In I Love Salmon and Lampreys, Thompson tells this inspiring tale, and she shares how it motivated her to become a scientist. Featuring adorable illustrations by Anastasia Khmelevska, as well as fun facts about salmon and lampreys, this is a stirring story about stewarding nature for the generations to come.

Reviews
"[Brook Thompson] compares these salmon transitions to her own life, sharing how she left her family to go out to university to learn how to protect salmon and lampreys and then came home to fight for conservation rights as an engineer and scientist. Maps, back matter, and fun facts enhance this satisfying, engaging story." —Booklist

"A powerful story about protesting for positive changes that protect the environment." —Kids Bookshelf

"The book not only celebrates the resilience of the Klamath River and its inhabitants but also highlights the profound impact of environmental justice on the lives of individuals and communities. It is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in protecting our planet and ensuring a healthy future for generations to come." —Mama Likes This

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

Salmon: Swimming for Survival introduces us to the dramatic life story of salmon.

These fish hatch in streams, swim extreme distances out to sea, and then migrate home to where they were born to produce the next generation. But today their habitats and very survival are threatened by human activity. This book looks at the unique biology of salmon, their importance to many Indigenous communities, their cultural and economic impact and the vital role they play in ecosystems. With profiles from scientists, educators, fishers and more, learn about the people who are working hard to change the uncertain future of salmon and improve the chance that these iconic fish can survive for generations to come.

Reviews
“A wealth of good, up-to-date information...This comprehensive book has a great deal to offer to help everyone understand the critical nature of salmon conservation. Highly Recommended.” — CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“This informative book...takes a complex subject and breaks it down into parts that are easy to comprehend. Recommended.” — School Library Connection

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Orca Wild series that examines the intricacies of animals, ecosystems, humans and our relationships to each other.

Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Includes some Indigenous content.

Additional Information
112 pages | 7.50" x 9.00" | Hardcover

In this Coast Salish story, step-by-step instructions for gathering wood and catching, filleting and then smoking fish are given. The text and illustrations support the reader’s understanding of the process and emphasize the respect shown by the Coast Salish people for the circle of life.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Stories: Coast Salish 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: Maman, comment fait-on du poisson fumé ? 

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741224

Bill Helin grew up in a family of fishermen. In this book he describes some of the traditional Tlingit fishing tools and methods. Herring, salmon, halibut, cod, red snapper and oolichan are some of the fish that are described in this book and that Bill’s family is thankful for.

Educator & Series Information
Tlingit Fishing 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: La Pêche chez les Tlingits.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741132

This is a book for anyone, of any age, who cares about rivers.

This story of the Columbia River is unique. Told from the river’s perspective, it is an immersive, empathetic portrait of a once-wild river and of the Sinixt, a First People who lived on the mainstem of this great western river for thousands of years and continue to do so even though Canada declared them “extinct” in 1956.

The book’s re-release comes at a critical time for natural systems and for reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples across North America. The Colville Confederated Tribes, representing over 3,000 Sinixt People, recently won a precedent-setting case in the Supreme Court of Canada affirming that Aboriginal Rights do not stop at the border. The important story of the Sinixt weaves together with the ongoing ecological impact of hydropower development on the Columbia and its tributaries.

Central to the story is the joyous spirit of salmon, once a free swimmer in the Columbia’s currents north of the border but now blocked from ancestral spawning grounds by Grand Coulee and other dams. Restoring migratory fish indigenous to the Upper Columbia will require transboundary cooperation. With Indigenous Nations on both sides of the US–Canada border now leading the way, many are hopeful that the fish will return.

Lavishly illustrated by Nelson, BC, designer Nichola Lytle, this portrait of a globally significant river will inspire anyone who reads it to care about the future of the salmon, a fish that unites all of us in its quest for freedom and possibility.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
96 pages | 9.50" x 8.50" | Paperback

To the Gitxsan people of Northwestern British Columbia, the sockeye salmon is more than just a source of food. Over its life cycle, it nourishes the very land and forests that the Skeena River runs through and where the Gitxsan make their home. The Sockeye Mother explores how the animals, water, soil, and seasons are all intertwined.

1 SMALL FRY

There’s a strong undertow today. The turbulent waters caress the backs of the little semelparous life forms emerging from their gravel nests. A small free-swimming fry bears witness to the currents of spring, after spending weeks developing and using up its nutritious yolk sack. It’s one of few remaining fry leaving its long winter’s home to seek out nursing waters.

This is the time of Wihlaxs (the black bear’s walking moon), which is early spring to the Gitxsan peoples of the Pacific Northwest Interior. Change is in the air, the days grow longer, and renewal is the life force that guides the world around the little fry’s waterways. Flora cells are starting to stir, preparing to bud and bring green to the landscape. Stores of food for the people along Xsan (river of mists) is running low, but preparations for the new seasons of fishing and gathering have begun. New snow falls to take away the old snow, which the Gitxsan call dalugwa.

Miso’o, or sockeye, are one of many species of salmon that call Xsan home. Although all species are valued, the Gitxsan prefer the flavour and number of Sockeye that return to their spawning grounds every year. The cultures along Xsan, otherwise known as the Skeena River, flourished and shaped their existence around the life cycles of this keystone species. Little does this small sockeye fry know that its life cycle not only nourishes the people and other beings along the watersheds, it is the whole reason the forests and landscapes exist.

2 TIME TO GROW

After a couple of years of “schooling” in the deeper parts of the nursing lake, this sockeye has become a smolt. Its little silvery body begins taking the shape of its blue-backed future self. The smolt is outgrowing the lake, and this signals Lasa ya’a (the spring salmon’s returning moon), so the little sockeye begins its treacherous journey down the Skeena.

As the spring salmons return, the sockeye smolts depart to relieve their urge for saliferous waters. April carries summer innuendos, as warm winds flow through nearly blooming flowers. The scent of pines and cedar waft across moist pillowy moss. The nets and rods of the Gitxsan people scour Xsan in hopes of taking part in the return of ya’a, the spring salmon. Ceremony is held and feasts occur to welcome the runs of salmon who come to replenish the land. It’s not only a time to give thanks, but also a time to send prayer that the salmon will always return, that they will provide nourishment for all that is living within its realm.

The young sockeye has so far avoided predation, dodged the unnaturally changing landscape denuding from the clear-cutting of man, and escaped the hungry hands of ’watxs, the otter. The smolt and her school have made their journey to the Pacific, and north to the ocean waters, where they will continue to feed and grow.

3 A REPLENISHING DEATH

For two years the sockeye mother has been feeding in the ocean waters, while avoiding sharks and killer whales. Through instinct, smell and much that is still not understood, the sockeye mother swims against the powerful currents of Xsan to return to the exact place in the rivers where she was spawned.

It’s now Lasa lik’i’nxsw (the grizzly bear’s moon). August is the time when all the Gitxsan people and grizzly bears pluck hundreds of thousands of sockeye from the Skeena. Many predators such as the grizzly discard most of the carcass. They carry their catch sometimes hundreds of metres into the forest, only to eat the fatty bellies and eggs. The decaying bodies of the salmon leaves nitrogen that nourishes the soil.

Battered and beaten by the journey, she is literally decaying due to lack of food and constant hard work. She finds a male partner who’s dug a nest to her liking. She lays her eggs. She can now die a replenishing death. The dying salmon bodies become fertilizer for all the flora that shape the great lands. Without the sockeye mother, the Gitxsan as they are, would simply not exist.

Awards

• The Science Writers and Communicators of Canada Award, Youth Category.
• McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for Grades 4-7 for theses subject areas: Science, Social Studies.

This book is part of the Mother of Xsan series, which uses striking illustration and lyrical language to bring the poetry of the Xsan ecosystem to life.

Additional Information

“We Are All Connected” is a series that explores how we all live together in a shared balance upon Mother Earth. Each book explores a specific ecosystem with a focus on one animal and its adaptations for survival within that ecosystem. Indigenous interviewees, each living within the same area, have responded to strategic questions as to how their community interacts with the land, their traditional territory. Explore each text with a sense of inquiry in mind.

8 We Are All Connected Titles Coast Salish, Coastal Rainforests and Cougars Haisla, Rivers and Chinook Salmon Inuit, Tundra and Ravens Lakota, Mixed Grasslands and Bald Eagles Métis, Wetlands and Mallards Nisga'a, Ponds and Leopard Frogs Nlaka'pamux, Grasslands and Rattlesnakes Sto:lo, Riparian Forests and Black Bears Each title covers the following curricular areas. Traditional storytelling and artwork begin each title from the focus Indigenous territory. Science: Biodiversity, classification, life cycles, food chains, food webs and connections between living and non-living things are just some of the science concepts included in each book. Social Studies: Contemporary and historical Indigenous cultural knowledge flows throughout each book. Local land forms, gatherings, harvesting practices and government are some of the social studies concepts included in each book.

2 Foundation Titles The two foundational books provide deeper understanding of the content of the “We Are All Connected” titles. We Are All Connected: The Earth, Our Home- explores biomes, ecosystems and biodiversity. We Are All Connected: The Earth, We Share- explores the interconnectedness between living and non-living things. 

Authenticity Note: There is some Indigenous art in this book, such as a pendant carved by a Haida artist.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | ISBN: 9781771742467

The waters of the Pacific Northwest are home to some of the most unique and diverse marine creatures in the world, including rockfishes, greenlings and, of course, salmon. This full-colour brochure is packed with information on seventy-eight "must-have" common fishes of the Pacific Northwest. A Field Guide to Common Fish of the Pacific Northwest provides a succinct rundown on a huge variety of our fishy neighbours, and is an ideal guide for fishermen, divers and anyone interested in the marine life that fills our surrounding waters.

Go fishing for fun with the Rainbow Trout finger puppet featuring realistic shimmery skin fabric and flowy fins.

Additional Information

• 7" long x 2" wide x 2" tall

Salmon Finger Puppet with First Nations Designs by Bill Helin

Length: Approx 5"

Stacking Blocks & Balancing Games enhance children's hand-eye coordination, and also serve as a great educational tool for children to learn about colours and shapes. The perfect gift for kids and family!

Additional Information

• Measurements: 8.58" x 7.28 " x 1.50"
• Materials: MDF Wood
• Packaging: One set includes 1 big salmon, 5 small salmon, 7 circular eggs, and 1" dice
• Motif: Salmon
• For ages 4 and up

This salmon stamp is designed by Tsimshian artist Bill Helin.

Educator Information
Download a free English stamp book here: Stamp Book English

Download a free French stamp book here: Stamp Book French

Additional Information
2.75" x 1.75" | ISBN: 45931285794 | Made in Canada

This card game provides two learning opportunities. Cards consist of six salmon species and the six life cycle stages of the salmon and a salmon crest image. On the salmon species cards students will see both the marine and spawning phase of the salmon on one card.

25 Cards – 1 Instructional Card and 2 each of the following:
• Eggs
• Fry
• Alevin
• Smolt
• Adult
• Spawner

• Chinook
• Chum
• Coho
• Pink
• Sockeye
• Steelhead

Educator Information
At Strong Nations, we strive to provide meaningful learning opportunities for all learners with our products. These cards support the book From the Mountains to the Sea: We Are a Community.

Find Salmon Memory Matching Cards in French HERE!

Card Game Creator: Terri Mack

Additional Information
25 cards per set | 4.5" x 3.5" | ISBN: 459312860015