Indigenous Peoples in the United States

The animals and the birds are getting ready for a game of lacrosse. Bat would love to play but neither team wants him because he is different than them. This Kanyen'kehà:ka (Gan-yeh-ga-ha-ga) story is about how we all have a special talent that we must respect in others. The book also includes information about lacrosse. The Kanyen'kehà:ka is one of Six Nations that together are the Haudenosaunee.

Educator & Series Information
The Game is part of the Strong Stories: Kanyen’kehà:ka 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 partie.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741187

The Kanyen'kehà:ka (Gan-yeh-ga-ha-ga) open all important meetings and gatherings with the Thanksgiving Address. This speech is about being thankful to everything around us for giving us the gifts we need to live and the importance of peace. This is a short version of the Thanksgiving Address. The Kanyen'kehà:ka is one of Six Nations that together are the Haudenosaunee.

Educator & Series Information
The Thanksgiving Address is part of the Strong Stories: Kanyen’kehà:ka 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 prière d’Action de Grâces des Haudenosaunee.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741170

A long time ago, the land was very dry and no plants could grow. The people had become very hungry. The Creator heard the people and made three plants - Corn, Beans and Squash. This Kanyen'kehà:ka (Gan-yeh-ga-ha-ga) story is about how the Three Sisters saved the people then, and are still feeding people today! The Kanyen'kehà:ka is one of Six Nations that together are the Haudenosaunee.

Educator & Series Information
The Three Sisters is part of the Strong Stories: Kanyen’kehà:ka 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: Les Trois Sœurs.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741194

While an old woman is making cornbread, a stranger knocks on her door. The stranger is an old man who is tired and hungry. She lies and says she does not have much to give. This Kanyen'kehà:ka (Gan-yeh-ga-ha-ga) story is about why we ought to be generous and not greedy. The Kanyen'kehà:ka is one of Six Nations that together are the Haudenosaunee.

Educator & Series Information
The Woodpecker is part of the Strong Stories: Kanyen’kehà:ka 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 pic-bois.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741200

Wampum Belts record and remind us of important events and agreements through patterns and colours. Each belt tells its own story. This Kanyen'kehà:ka (Gan-yeh-ga-ha-ga) story is about the Two Row Wampum. The Kanyen'kehà:ka is one of Six Nations that together are the Haudenosaunee.

Educator & Series Information
Two Row Wampum is part of the Strong Stories: Kanyen’kehà:ka 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 wampum à deux rangs.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741217

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

In 2012, Bill Helin traveled to Hong Kong to work with a school to carve two totem poles. One pole is about the Chinese culture and the other reflects his Tlingit culture. This book describes the poles and the process of carving them over a period of three months.

Educator & Series Information
Hong Kong Story Totems 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: Histoires de totems à Hong Kong.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741118

Bill Helin is a Tlingit artist, carver and storyteller. In this book, he describes the step-by-step process of making his first cedar dugout canoe. From searching for the right tree in the forest to paddling the finished canoe for the first time, each step is clearly described and illustrated.

Educator & Series Information
Making a Canoe 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: Construire un canot.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741125

In this book, Bill Helin explains the importance of songs and drumming to the culture and history of the Tlingit people. He also describes the process that he went through to make his first drum. An illustrated series of directions and a supply list will give the reader a clear understanding of the drum maker’s craft.

Educator & Series Information
Making a Drum 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: Fabriquer un tambour.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741101

In this beautifully illustrated chapter book, Bill Helin tells the story of how Raven freed the sun, moon and stars. The Chief of Darkness had thought he was clever to keep them all hidden away. Discover how Raven shows how clever he can be as he transforms himself to return daylight to the world.

Educator & Series Information
Raven Returns the Daylight 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: Corbeau rapporte la lumière du jour.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741064

One spring day the forest animals gathered with Mother Bear to meet her two new cubs. As they emerged from the den, Raven gifted a sacred white feather (a symbol of peace and harmony) to one of them. This beautifully illustrated story of a little spirit bear is written in lyrical text and will appeal to readers of all ages.

Educator & Series Information
Spirit Bear 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: Ours Esprit.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741095

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

In this book, Bill Helin explains the importance of stories and storytellers to the culture and history of the Tlingit people. Often using animals of the forest and ocean as characters, the storytellers wove teachings of survival, respect and family life into the fabric of their stories.

Educator & Series Information
Tlingit Storytellers 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: Les Conteurs tlingits.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741071

A young girl discovers her Cayuga heritage when she finds a mask that sings to her. 

Cass and her mom have always stood on their own against the world. Then Cass learns she had a grandmother, one who was never part of her life, one who has just died and left her and her mother the first house they could call their own. But with it comes more questions than answers: Why is her Mom so determined not to live there? Why was this relative kept so secret? And what is the unusual mask, forgotten in a drawer, trying to tell her? Strange dreams, strange voices, and strange incidents all lead Cass closer to solving the mystery and making connections she never dreamed she had.

Thunder Boy Jr. is named after his dad, but he wants a name that's all his own. Just because people call his dad Big Thunder doesn't mean he wants to be Little Thunder. He wants a name that celebrates something cool he's done, like Touch the Clouds, Not Afraid of Ten Thousand Teeth, or Full of Wonder.

But just when Thunder Boy Jr. thinks all hope is lost, he and his dad pick the perfect name...a name that is sure to light up the sky.

National Book Award-winner Sherman Alexie's lyrical text and Caldecott Honor-winner Yuyi Morales's striking and beautiful illustrations celebrate the special relationship between father and son.

Reviews
"[A] delightful story about a Native American boy trying to carve out his own identity." - The Washington Post

"Together [Sherman and Morales] deliver a story that feels both modern and timeless, a joyous portrait of one boy's struggle to (literally) make a name for himself in the world."—The New York Times Book Review

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 4-8.

Additional Information
40 pages | 10.12" x 10.25"