First Nations

From an award-winning Native American storyteller comes this captivating re-telling of a Cherokee legend, which explains how strawberries came to be. 

Long ago, the first man and woman quarrelled. The woman left in anger, but the Sun sent tempting berries to Earth to slow the wife's retreat. Luminous paintings perfectly complement this simple, lyrical text.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Additional Information

The spider is a common character in numerous Native American oral traditions. In this collection of stories, some of which are appearing in print for the first time, Spider represents many things: a mentor, a trickster, a helpful ally, a worker of miracles. Beautifully illustrated with the exceptional artwork of five Native American illustrators and endorsed by tribal authorities, this book will help young readers appreciate the power of myth and legend in the lives of all people. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the American Indian Theater Company, a nonprofit organization for Native American young people.

To many Native Americans, the 13 cycles of the moon represent the changing seasons and the passage of time. Each moon has its own special name that, while varying among the tribal nations, is consistent with the legend that the 13 scales on Old Turtle's back hold the key to these moons. The authors present 13 poems that take readers through the year, from the "Moon of Popping Trees"--when the "cottonwoods crack with frost"--to the "Big Moon" of the Abenakis. The book's effective design consists of verses in vertical columns at the left of each spread, with the remainder occupied by Locker's ( Family Farm ; Catskill Eagle ) typically lush artwork. His oil paintings are eye-catching in their depth of color reflecting dramatic seasonal changes. Trees, skies and woodland creatures are rendered in vivid hues that combine to produce an enthralling vision. This unusual and intelligent book is an exemplary introduction to Native American culture with its emphasis on the importance of nature.

Additional Infromation
32 pages | 8.00" x 10.25"

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. 

The lights of the night, especially the stars and the moon, have captivated Native American peoples across North America and elsewhere for centuries. Joseph Bruchac, an Abenaki storyteller, has collected in this companion volume to Thirteen Moon's on Turtle's Back a series of stories what these celestial bodies mean to diverse Native American cultures; he then retells them in lyric poetry. Included are "Sky Bear" of the Mohawk, "Song to the Firefly" of the Anishinabe, "Flute Song" of the Pima (which evokes the myths of Kokopeli), "The Northern Lights" of the Missisquoi, "Mother's Bragging Song" of the Winnebago, "The Scattered Stars" of the Cochiti Pueblo, "The Seven Mateinnu" of the Lenape, "The Tale of Pinon Gatherers" of the Chumash, "A Summer Song" of the Inuit, "The Old Wolf's Song" of the Lakota, "Dawn House Song" of the Navajo, and "Spirit Dance Song" of the Pawnee. Mr. Bruchac, in an Author's Note at the end of the volume, explains what these stories mean to all Native American peoples, children and adults alike. He reveals that the constellation we know as the Big Dipper (the Drinking Gourd in African-American folklore) is also seen as a great bear, the Sky Bear of his poetry, something many of us all too often take for granted.

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.

Aundeck The Crow is a beautiful Ojibwe Story about learning to listen and have empathy to those around you in order to find your purpose in life. The story is illustrated and told by Robert Madahbee who is from Aundeck Omni Kaning on Manitoulin Island. There is a free download of the audio narration for this story. The story is narrated in English by Robert. The Ojibwe language is spoken by Georgina Nahwegahbo.

This book has both Ojibwe and English text.

Educator Information
The publisher of this picture book recommends it for all ages.

Includes a "Thoughts for Inquisitive Minds" page at the end of the book that asks questions of readers that relate back to teachings of the story.

Additional Information
22 Pages | pencil and ink illustrations (black and white)

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.

Annii, welcome to our story. Gifts for Dawnis was written to help us remember our place in Creation. Our teachings tell us that all of life is equally sacred, and that all forms of life were given original instructions by the Creator. Every living thing on our Mother Earth has a purpose and a role to fulfill, in order for our world to be in balance.

Gifts for Dawnis reminds us that everything is here for a purpose, and that when we ask, we are always shown the answers. We just have to learn to listen.

This book features both Ojibwe and English audio as a free accompanying download. . The text in this story is also in both Ojibwe and English. Many of the pictures in Gifts for Dawnis are taken from actual photographs, some of which came from the territories of Ziigwen’s ancestors.

Educator Information
Publisher recommends this book for all ages.

Dual-language: English and Ojibwe

Gifts for Dawnis is rooted in traditional Indigenous teachings and is meant to bring an Indigenous way of thinking into the hands of young people and people of all ages who are young of heart.

Additional Information
26 Pages