Anishinaabeg

Written from an Anishinaabe perspective, First Nations Ceremonies explores various Anishinaabe teachings that have been handed down from Elders, encouraging mino-pimaatisiwin, the good life. These practices are still used today, crossing time from the past to the future.

When Richard’s class from Big Spirit School takes a canoe trip, he and his classmates chance upon an elderly woman. She tells them the story of her grandfather, John Ramsay, of the Sandy Bar community on Lake Winnipeg. Ramsay’s land was taken by the government and given to the new settlers from Iceland who arrived there in 1875. Yet many owed their survival to Ramsay, who helped them through freezing winters, hunger, and a devastating smallpox epidemic.

Educator & Series Information
The Land of Os is one book in the Tales From Big Spirit series. Tales from Big Spirit is a unique graphic novel series that delves into the stories of great Indigenous heroes from Canadian history—some already well known and others who deserve to be. Designed to correspond to grades 4–6 social studies curriculums across Canada, these full colour graphic novels could be used in literature circles, novel studies, and book clubs to facilitate discussion of social studies topics. These books will help students make historical connections while promoting important literacy skills.

A Teacher's Guide is also available for the Tales from the Big Spirit Series: Tales from the Big Spirit Series Teacher's Guide. The teacher's guide is designed to help classroom teachers use the graphic novel series, Tales From Big Spirit, by David Alexander Robertson. The guide provides detailed lessons that meet a wide range of language arts and social studies goals, integrate Indigenous perspectives, and make curricular content more accessible to diverse learners.

This resources is also available in French: D'hier à aujourd'hui, Le protecteur d’Ós : John Ramsay

Additional Information
30 pages | 6.50" x 10.00"

A search down a wooded path for a well-hit baseball turns into an encounter between Pamela and a veteran soldier standing in front of a monument. The statue commemorates the heroism of Sgt. Tommy Prince, the most decorated Aboriginal soldier in Canada. Pamela is curious, and the veteran is happy to regale her with the story of the expert marksman and tracker, renowned for his daring and bravery in World War II and the Korean War.

Educator & Series Information
Tales from Big Spirit is a unique graphic novel series that delves into the stories of great Indigenous heroes from Canadian history—some already well known and others who deserve to be. Designed to correspond to grades 4–6 social studies curriculums across Canada, these full colour graphic novels could be used in literature circles, novel studies, and book clubs to facilitate discussion of social studies topics. These books will help students make historical connections while promoting important literacy skills.

Tales from the Big Spirit Series Teacher's Guide -  Tales from the Big Spirit Series Teacher's Guide. 

The teacher's guide is designed to help classroom teacher's use the graphic novel series, Tales From Big Spirit, by David Alexander Robertson. The guide provides detailed lessons that meet a wide range of language arts and social studies goals, integrate Indigenous perspectives, and make curricular content more accessible to diverse learners.

The Scout: Tommy Prince is available in French: L’éclaireur : Tommy Prince

Additional Information
30 pages | 6.50" x 10.00"

This beautiful children’s book is the first of instalment of Treaty Tales, an original trilogy that makes learning about the treaties and their history fun and engaging.

Journey with Neepin and her kookoo around their home reserve of Lynx Creek First Nation. Learn the story of their people and the importance of respect and honouring agreements.

Educator & Series Information
This resource is part of the Treaty Tales series.

This resource is also available in French: La poignée de main et le calumet

Adair’s Woodland style of painting is the highlight in this counting board book written in Ojibway and English. Beautifully designed birds and other wildlife sit against flat planes of colour in tones and shades ranging from bright reds to vibrant purples to pale blues. This is a gorgeous book for the very young that opens their eyes to art and their ears to language. An excellent introduction to Ojibway numbers, highlighting the culture’s deep relationship with animals.

Dreamcatcher and the Seven Deceivers, the sequel to the Seven Sacred Teachings, warns of voices we can expect to hear in our dream time – voices that do not represent the Sacred Teachings.

These are the voices of Seven Deceivers who are spoken of by name. The allure of their whisperings is carefully spelled out in order that all might come to know what to listen for. Dreamcatcher and the Seven Deceivers is a carefully woven telling of how and why Creator sent Trickster to Turtle Island with a gift that would help us see the light and resist temptation. At a time before distant religions and churches came with their teachings, their commandments and their seven cardinal sins, we knew. We knew the way of the Good Red Road. We knew the right way to live; not through commandments but through Sacred Teachings – Teachings that were given to us long before their arrival. And we knew we would be tested by Seven Deceivers – what they called seven cardinal sins. We knew because we had been forewarned. And when these distant churches arrived with their teachings, their relics and their symbols, we had our own. One was the Dreamcatcher.

Rooted in humility and honesty, the creators have tried to respect the cultures and traditions of all peoples. It is our hope that this telling will unite and thus heal divisions. Prophecies tell that this is the time for One Heart, One Mind and One Drum. We, readers and authors alike, are the ones we have been waiting for. There is nobody else who can revitalize our culture and values except ourselves.

It is our hope that this telling might move readers toward greater courage and wisdom and ultimately toward achieving and understanding what is true in life’s journey.

The Seven Sacred Teachings are a link that ties all Native, Inuit and Métis communities together.

Educator Information
Available in French HERE!

Additional Information
35 pages

This book paints a vivid picture of the original peoples of North America before the arrival of Europeans. The novel follows the story of Mahingan and his family as they live the traditional Algonquin way of life in what is now Ontario in the early 14th century. Along the way we learn about the search for moose and the dramatic rare woodland buffalo hunt, conflicts with other Native nations, and the dangers of wolves and wolverines. We also witness the violent game of lacrosse, the terror of a forest fire, and the rituals that allow Algonquin boys to be declared full-grown men.

But warfare is also part of their lives, and signs point to a defining conflict between Mahingan's nation, its allies the Omàmiwinini (Algonquin), Ouendat (Huron), and the Nippissing against the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois). The battle's aftermath may open the door to future journeys by Mahingan and his followers.

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 12-15.

Series Information
This novel is part of the Algonquin Quest Series, a series of young adult novels from Algonquin author Rick Revelle.

Additional Information
280 pages | 5.00" x 8.00"

My name is Pey-sim-away-apey-binasi, which means Rainbow Thunderbird in my language. I am an artist with Ojibway (Ashinabe) heritage and my English given name is Mark Anthony Jacobson.

This book is about the clan system of the Ojibway First Nations people of Canada and the animal totems, or spirits that represent them. The clan system is made up of a group of families, or clans that are descended from a common ancestor through family chiefs. This system provides leadership and organization within the community and plays a very important role in our culture, creating harmony and direction for each member of the tribe.

The animal totems help us identify the different responsibilities each clan has in supporting and leading our community, and we associate special gifts with each animal. The different animal totems spiritually represent specific clans and are very important for the tribe to function as a whole. Some of those meanings and functions are outlined in this wonderful book for you to learn and enjoy.

The Gift Is in the Making retells previously published Anishinaabeg stories, bringing to life Anishinaabeg values and teachings to a new generation. Readers are immersed in a world where all genders are respected, the tiniest being has influence in the world, and unconditional love binds families and communities to each other and to their homeland. Sprinkled with gentle humour and the Anishinaabe language, this collection of stories speaks to children and adults alike, and reminds us of the timelessness of stories that touch the heart.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of The Debwe Series.

Recommended for grades 5 to 9.

Additional Information
99 pages | 5.50" x 8.50"

We have, according to our beliefs, five essential parts: body, soul, spirit, heart, and mind, which all have to be satisfied equally. When you are in balance you are walking on the right road, following the right path of life - Basil Johnston. Traditional Anishinaabe stories are told in both Anishinaabe and English languages for adults.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of The Anishinaubaemowin Series.

Recommended for ages 5 - 10

Additional Information
112 pages | 9.00" x 9.00"

"In late August the birds that migrate for the winter begin to gather in flocks. How soon or late they gather will reflect how soon or late winter will set in, but it will always take place in conjunction with the setting of autumn. It is the voice of Mother Earth pulsating through the plants to the insects, birds, and animals, letting them know that it is time to go. What insects, birds and animals do in answer to Mother Earth's beckoning is nothing more nor nothing less than it is time to do this because this is taking place."- Excerpt from Introduction by Basil Johnston

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of The Anishinaubaemowin Series.

Recommended for ages 5 - 12.

Additional Information
104 pages | 9.00" x 9.00"

Sélection Communication-Jeunesse 2010-2011, 5-8 ans
Médaille d’or du Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, 2009

“Certains vous diront que votre totem représente l’être que vous étiez dans une vie antérieure ou que vous pourriez devenir dans la prochaine. C’est peut-être vrai. D’autres vous diront que votre totem est la source de vos forces et de vos faiblesses. Ça, je le crois. Connaître mon totem m’aide à me connaître. Et quand je connais le totem de quelqu’un d’autre, cela m’aide à mieux le comprendre.”

Cet ouvrage de l’auteur métis David Bouchard nous familiarise avec le sens, le concept et le rôle du totem et des animaux emblématiques dans la vie de tous les jours des peuples des Premières nations. 

Educator Information
This resource is also available in English: I Am Raven: A Story of Discovery

Additional Information
26 pages | 8.46" x 9.84"

'What our ancestors did with their observations was to make up stories that blended their findings with their notions of the morality of the acts committed by one or more of the individuals under watch. To our ancestors teaching right and wrong and building strength of character were even more vital, certainly not less so, than teaching marksmanship, tracking, trapping, needlework, cooking, or planting. " - Excerpt from Introduction by Basil Johnston

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of The Anishinaubaemowin Series.

Recommended for ages 5+

Additional Information
60 pages | 6.00" x 9.00"

Thirteen-year-old Jak Loren is a typical boy with the usual problems a family with older sisters and younger brothers presents. Never mind the troubles at school - bullies and girls!

When Jak goes to the ravine near his home in Brantford to get away from Steven Burke, a bully who's been tormenting him, he discovers the ravine has a history that's much older than he thought. He meets Grandfather Rock, who shares with him the story of the people who have lived near the ravine for thousands of years. Soon Jak's eyes are opened to a new world of beings and respect.

He learns about First Nations people and how their teachings inhabit the spirits of all living things that surround us even today. The tales of the First Nations help Jak to understand that the gift of life is something to be cherished. And when a construction crew arrives in his neighbourhood and threatens his beloved ravine, Jak knows he has to act to save it.

Reviews
"Jak's Story explores the issues of bullying and the environment and integrates First Nations storytelling, wisdom and history. The chapters are short and captivating and Bell manages to minimize coming off as preachy. I read this book in one sitting." — Waterloo Record

"This is an excellent story to teach youth about First Nations beliefs and culture. It also reminds the reader of the importance of protecting the environment by setting limits to the amount of development of land. Aaron Bells honesty and respect for land and community shines through his writing in this first book." — Resource Links, February 2011

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 12-15

Additional Information
96 pages | 6.00" x 9.00"