Métis

In this story, Gus and Tom are upset. Miss Sam helps them smudge to feel better.

Mi’gmaq burn sage and other traditional medicines to smudge. Smudging helps people let go of sadness and anger.

What do you do when you are feeling sad?

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. We Smudge is in Set 5 – Ending Spelling Patterns, and reviews -tch and -dge. Books in Set 5 have 100-110 words.  

Readers should be familiar with the concepts included in Set 1 to Set 5: 

• consonants 

• beginning and end blends 

• short and long vowels 

• digraphs 

• suffixes and ending spelling patterns 

• a /o/ 

• s – /s/ and /z/ 

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

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: 978-1-77174-650-2

In this story, Miss Sam and the class are exploring the forest when they see an animal track on Cub Path! What animal made it?

Mi’gmaq use tracks to find animals in the forest. Mi’gmaq live in balance with the land and honour the animals that live on it.

Have you ever seen an animal track?

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. What Track Is This? is in Set 2 – Digraphs, and reviews ck, sh, and th (voiced and unvoiced). Books in Set 2 have 60-80 words. 

Readers should be familiar with the concepts included in Set 1 and Set 2:

• consonants
• beginning and end blends
• short vowels
• digraphs
• a /o/
• 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: 978-1-77174-641-0

In this story, Jen and the class pick wild strawberries. Back at school, Jen makes strawberry jam.

Wild strawberries grow throughout Mi’gmaw territory. Mi’gmaq harvest berries and other plants for food and medicine.

Have you ever gone berry picking?

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. Wild Strawberries is in Set 5 – Ending Spelling Patterns, and reviews -ild, -old, -ind, -olt, and -ost. Books in Set 5 have 100-110 words.  

Readers should be familiar with the concepts included in Set 1 to Set 5: 

• consonants 

• beginning and end blends 

• short and long vowels 

• digraphs 

• suffixes and ending spelling patterns 

• a /o/ 

• s – /s/ and /z/ 

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

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: 978-1-77174-651-9

From their origins to their lives today, the Métis have so many things to tell us! Thanks to beautiful photos, illustrations, and texts written by experts, we can learn and understand more about the rich culture of the Métis.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 12.

This book is part of the Discovering and Understanding series.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.66" x 10.62" | Hardcover

From popping off a tail to rolling around in dung to farting to send a message, this funny and informative nonfiction picture book shows the many unusual ways animals adapt to their surroundings!

Animals survive and thrive in astounding ways: they trick, trap, and fry predators; feed on other animals’ poop and skin; and use electric zaps, slime, and other unexpected methods to communicate.

Featuring animals like Komodo dragons, bombardier beetles, and capuchin monkeys, this fact-filled book explores the surprising, exciting, and sometimes hilarious ways that animals adapt.

Reviews
"Welcome to the wonderful world of animal slime, poop, gas, vomit, and gross parenting practices. . . . [Settel] shows a knack for slipping in facts as likely to intrigue as revolt . . . . Donovan tones down the gross in her brightly hued animal portraits enough to elicit more cooing than spewing. . . . A crowd-pleasing way to deliver some substantial (info) dumps."— Kirkus Reviews, 5/1/24

"Donovan's digital art is brightly colored and does a good job depicting important points from the text, such as a giraffe's blue tongue (which acts as a sunscreen) wrapped around a branch. The gross-out factor is prominent throughout. . . . Appended with a glossary, this should intrigue borrowers and lead to further investigation."— Booklist, 5/15/24

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

Additional Information
48 pages | 10.00" x 8.00" | Hardcover 

Exploring reconciliation and connection through a story that spans seven generations, Frozen River (nîkwatin sîpiy) tells the story of two eleven-year-olds through the eyes of Grandmother Moon. Eilidh and Wâpam are born under the same blood moon, but Eilidh was born in Scotland and Wâpam in Kihci-Manito kâ ayapit, now known as Manitoba. After sailing across the ocean in hopes of a more prosperous life, Eilidh meets Wâpam deep in the forest, and the two become instant friends. Coming from vastly different worlds, Eilidh and Wâpam decide to teach each other about their ways of life. But when a sacred promise between them is broken, the relationship among cultures becomes jeopardized for generations to come.

Frozen River (nîkwatin sîpiy) shows audiences that an openness to learn from those who have protected and honoured the waterways for centuries can lead to healing and reconciliation.

Awards

• 2021 Sharon Enkin Plays for Young People Award winner

Reviews
"The show’s script cleverly makes important issues digestible for young audiences."— Van City Vince

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 14.

Additional Information
88 pages | 5.37" x 8.38" | Paperback

A grandfather teaches his grandson how we are all related to plants, insects, birds and animals—and that each of us has a place in the sacred web of life.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 12.

Additional Information
38 Pages

Cort Dogniez’s Growing up Métis: Stories of Resiliency is the second installment of his historical fiction series that began with Road to La Prairie Ronde. In two separate, but connected fictionalized stories, Cort delves into the lives of two of his foremothers: his great-grandmother, Josephine Gariepy and his grandmother, Clara Dumont when they were young. While highlighting the dispossession and marginalization of his ancestors following the 1885 Resistance, Cort deftly weaves Métis culture through these two stories with a positive “focus on nicknames, faith, storytelling, and a resilient spirit.”

Jade McDougall’s beautiful illustrations brings these poignant, coming of age stories to life. Growing up Métis: Stories of Resiliency includes Michif and Cree glossaries to reflect Josephine and Clara’s first languages as well as guide questions for educators to explore the stories and Métis culture in depth with their students.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended by the publisher for ages 9+.

This book is the second installment in the historical fiction series that began with Road to La Prairie Ronde.

Additional Information
85 Pages | 14 cm x 20.3 cm | Paperback 

You never walk alone.

Remember the hummingbird's teachings. Remember you are loved.

Kokum warned us to watch out for one another. If we weren't careful, Windigo would eat us. But one night, alone in the darkness, I felt its breath on my neck. Windigo's lies crept into my heart, and I believed them. When we lose connection with others, we lose ourselves, and Windigo's darkness grows and spreads.

In this deeply emotional and beautifully illustrated picture book, the ancestors send a hummingbird to a child lost in Windigo’s darkness. Its teachings of resilience, love and connection bring the child home and remind us that our ancestors are always watching and can help us find our way if we only ask.

This bilingual book includes full text in both English and Anishinaabemowin.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: U

Lexile measure: 520L

Guided Reading Level: U

Dual-Language: English and Anishinaabemowin

There are many dialects fo Anishinaabemowin, and this book presents a phonetic spelling of the language as learned by the author and co-translator in Duck Bay, northeastern Manitoba. This dialect is sometimes referred to as Western Ojibwa, Nakawemowin, Saulteaux or Plains Ojibwa. Translated by Norman Chartrand and Jennifer Leason.

This beautifully illustrated story expresses hope, healing and reclamation of Indigenous strength and identity in the wake of oppression and trauma.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 8.00" | Hardcover 

"Who are you?", whispers the voice in the wind. "You are Métis." What does this strange word mean? A young girl watches her father to understand the unfamiliar label. Through a series of vignettes centred around her dad, the child interacts with her riverlot surroundings and delights in her Métis way of life.

Discover the joy and vibrancy of the Métis culture from a child's perspective. Feel the author's pride in her Métis identity, and her love for her father, as she relives childhood memories.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 9.

Caution: The word "Indian" is used in this work when the author recounts a memory from her childhood.

Additional Information
32 pages | 10.00" x 8.00" | Hardcover 

First Nations culture is living, vibrant, and evolving, and generations of Indigenous kids have grown up with pop culture creeping inexorably into our lives. From gaming to social media, pirate radio to garage bands, Star Trek to D&D, and missed connections at the pow wow, Indigenous culture is so much more than how it’s usually portrayed. Indiginerds is here to celebrate those stories!

Featuring an all-Indigenous creative team, Indiginerds is an exhilarating anthology collecting 11 stories about Indigenous people balancing traditional ways of knowing with modern pop culture. Includes work by Alina Pete, PJ Underwood, Kameron White, Rhael McGregory, and many more.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12 to 18.

Full Creator Listing: Tate Allen, Ida Aronson, Jordanna George, Raven John, Nipinet Landsem, Rhael McGregor, Sam “Mushki” Medlock, Alina Pete, Wren Rios, PJ Underwood, Kameron White

Additional Information
120 pages | 6.62" x 10.25" | Paperback

Un plan de lecon de l'enseignant pour approfondir le livre, La septième direction. Peut inclure des questions de compréhension, des activités de groupe, des amorces de conversation, des quiz, des activités d’arts du langage et des pages à colorier. Dans cette légende éclairante que nous raconte l’Aîné lakota Kevin Locke, Wak?á? T?á?ka (le Grand Esprit) a créé le monde entier en sept jours, gardant la création la plus précieuse pour la fin. Pour protéger cette précieuse création, Wak?á? T?á?ka devait la cacher dans un endroit où elle serait toujours en sécurité et a demandé à nos parents animaux de l’aider. Ensemble, ils ont trouvé l’endroit parfait. Quel endroit ont-ils choisi?

Educator Information
Recommended for use with students ages 7 to 10.

Find the student resource in French here: La septième direction: une légende de la création 

This lesson plan is available in English: The Seventh Direction Teacher Lesson Plan.

Additional Information
25 pages | 8.15" x 9.53" | Paper Packet 

An extraordinary book that celebrates skateboarding, family, and community, from beloved artist and author Julie Flett, a winner of the New York Times / New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book Award.

Every day, a little boy watches kids pass by on skateboards, and dreams of joining them. One day, his mother brings a surprise: her old skateboard, just for him! haw êkwa! Let’s go! Together, they practice on the sidewalk, at the park, in Auntie’s yard—everywhere. But when it comes time to try the skatepark, the skateboarders crash down like a waterfall. Can he find the confidence to join them?

Let’s Go! features:

• A glossary of Cree words featured in the book, and a Cree refrain (haw êkwa!) repeated throughout
• A note to the reader from Julie Flett about her inspiration for the story

This fun and touching story is a tribute to family, friendship, and perseverance. Julie Flett’s renowned art and powerful text shows a community of support is all around, ready to help each other… go!

Reviews
“Beautifully highlights the value of perseverance along with the joy of skateboarding.”—Horn Book, STARRED Review

“Extraordinary…. A fun read from start to finish, "Let's Go!" is especially and unreservedly recommended as a choice pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Self-Esteem and Family Life picture book collections for ages 3-8.”—Midwest Book Review

“Masterful, simple, powerful….a must-read for anyone who skateboards or wants to — or doesn’t.”—Amina Chaudri, Booklist

“Using onomatopoeic language to capture the sounds of the sport, Cree-Métis creator Flett (We All Play) shows the hard work and investment of time that goes into both learning a new skill and becoming ‘a part of something—/ and myself.’”—Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 8.

Curriculum Connections: Sports / Indigenous Languages / Community / Goal-Setting / Risk-Taking / Self-Awareness / Self-Confidence

This book is available in French: On y va!

Recommended in the Indigenous Books for Schools catalogue as a valuable resource for English Language Arts, Art, and Physical and Health Education in kindergarten to grade 3.

Additional Information
44 pages | 11.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

On a cold winter morning in 1952, Patsy Lamondin wakes to the day electricity will finally be connected to her small town along the Magnetawan River.

Patsy and her siblings buzz with excitement, eagerly awaiting the ceremony being held at the center of town. The Lamondins have lived along the waters of Georgian Bay and the Magnetawan River for generations. They are a Métis family who love music, dancing and being outdoors, and Patsy ponders how electricity will change all of their daily lives. What she knows for sure is that, whatever changes, she will always feel she belongs here.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 8.

Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: M
Lexile measure: 660L
Guided Reading Level: M

Recommended in the Indigenous Books for Schools catalogue as a valuable resource for English Language Arts and Science in grades 1 to 3.

Themes: Childhood, Community, Family, History, Technology, Engineering.

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