First Nations

Two Ojibway sisters set off across the frozen north country to see the SkySpirits' midnight dance. It isn't easy for the younger sister to be silent, but gradually she begins to treasure the stillness and the wonderful experiences it brings. After an exhilarating walk and patient waiting, the girls are rewarded by the arrival of the SkySpirits --- the northern lights --- dancing and shimmering in the night sky.

This powerful story, with its stunning illustrations, captures the chill of a northern night, the warmth of the family circle and the radiance of a child's wonder.

Reviews
"Deines's palette perfectly captures the northern cold and the warm relationship the girls have with one another and those around them."—School Library Journal

"Young people will recognize their own awe in the face of a wintry night reading SkySisters. Jan Bourdeau Waboose, a Nishinawbe Ojibwa from Northern Ontario, writes about two girls who go into the woods to look for the “SkySpirits” - the Northern Lights. Waboose's richly evocative tale comes with dreamy illustrations by Brian Deines.—Maclean's

"SkySisters is a gorgeous book. Readers will undoubtedly linger on each page to enjoy the masterful work of Brian Deines. In SkySisters he guides us immediately from the warm, comforting colours of the kitchen to the cool, quiet colours of an evening in the North. A spectacular painting appears at the climax of the story as the sisters lie in the snow, staring up in exhilaration at the vibrant swath of the Northern Lights above them."—Children's Book News

"Two themes stand out in this book: the sisters' love of nature and their delight in each other's company, both important elements in the author's heritage as a Nishanawbe Ojibway from Northern Ontario."—Winnipeg Free PressBook Links

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Additional Information
32 pages | 0.12" x 9.00" | Paperback

A young boy and his grandfather set out in a birchbark canoe early one spring morning. Under the patient and gentle guidance of his grandfather, the boy gradually comes to respect the ways of nature and to understand his own place in the world.

In the first of three linked stories, a young boy and his grandfather set out in a birchbark canoe early one spring morning. Together, they discover the peaceful beauty of the lake. In the second story, the sun rises high in the summer sky as they climb a rocky cliff for a bird's-eye view of the land. And, finally, as an autumn night descends, they venture into the woods. Under the patient and gentle guidance of his grandfather, the boy gradually comes to respect the ways of nature and to understand his own place in the world.

Reviews
"Filled with lessons of love and respect for Mother Earth, this book is packed with many Ojibway cultural references for young readers. Noshen and his grandfather, Mishomis, set off in a birchbark canoe, climb a mountain and stand off a pack of wolves - all in one day. Noshen learns that he is brother to the wolves and need not be afraid of any animal he meets in the woods. Karen Reczuch's illustrations of many culturally-relevant objects like beadwork designs and Mishomis' moccasins make this book something to be treasured." —Aboriginal Voices

"From the first words of Morning on the Lake, it's evident the author has an abundance of love and respect for the force of nature in all its magnificence. And, as we follow the young native protagonist and his grandfather, the call of the wild sounds ever more clear. Early one morning, the boy and his grandfather set off in their canoe and are rewarded with a rare glimpse of a family of loons. Later that day, they climb to the top of a hill and have an encounter with a bald eagle. And in the still night, the boy comes face to face with a pack of wolves. In this boy's traditional world, nature is given very human qualities which can set the heart a-thumping as well as soothe the spirit. Karen Reczuch's tranquil illustrations lovingly portray the relationship between man and his surroundings." —Children's Book News

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 9.

Additional Information
32 pages | 10.00" x 9.00"

The story of a loon and a young Mi'kmaq boy written in English and Mi'kmaq.

Additional Information
22 pages | 8.00" x 8.00" | Mi’kmaq translations by Helen Sylliboy 

Authenticity Note
The author of this story is not Indigenous; however, the Mi'kmaq translator is.  The illustrator is also Indigenous. 

Some people say that dreams are foolish. Some people say that you can search your whole life long and never find what it is you are looking for. But long ago when dreams were more real than they are today; there was a young boy who lived by the sea. He was called Wood Duck. His people had always lived beside the ocean. Its salty water flavoured their days. Its currents flowed through their nights. The power of the sea ran very strongly in Wood Duck. In his dreams, fish swam and sea birds flew.

Illustrated by Patsy MacAulay-MacKinnon
Mi’kmaq translations by Helen Sylliboy.

These traditional teaching legends come straight from the oral traditions of the Sechelt Nation. Simple enough to be understood by young children, yet compelling enough for adults, they are gentle, beautifully presented cautionary tales. You'll want to read them again and again - and you'll learn a few words of the Shishalh language while you're at it.

Reviews
"Long ago, when groups of people were living in caves to keep their families fed and warm, young men set out to search for food. After days of staying awake to keep the fire going, the grandfather left in charge fell asleep, and the fire grew dim. The resident brown robin found everyone asleep the next morning with the embers barely lit. This traditional story tells how the courageous little gray robin saves the people, and is honored with the color given him." - Oyate

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

Additional Information 
40 pages | 7.00" x 8.50"

These traditional teaching legends come straight from the oral traditions of the Sechelt Nation. Simple enough to be understood by young children, yet compelling enough for adults, they are gentle, beautifully presented cautionary tales. You'll want to read them again and again - and you'll learn a few words of the Shishalh language while you're at it.

Reviews
"In the naming of his great-grandson, a grandfather relates the story of how Mayuk met his match at the hands of three brothers, and how one, who was wounded, was healed by Indian medicine. To celebrate his survival, the grandfather named his grandson Mayuk so he would have the attributes of that animal. That this book is a story within a story within a story within a story is a common Northwest Coast oral history device." - Oyate

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

Additional Information
40 pages | 7.00" x 8.50"

Under a blanket of stars, Warren has a dream about an unending winter, with animals teaming up to search for the lost bag of summer. Just as in the Anishinaabe and Ininew legend, Fisher, a brave hunter, is chosen to bring the bag of summer back to their home. But will he find the bag in time, or will the summer animals ruin his plans to bring warmth to the northern lands?

Educator Information
Grades 4 and under.