Ojibway (Ojibwe)

Discover the history of the endangered Ojibwe horse and the daring intervention of the Lac La Croix First Nation in this celebration of community, tradition, courage, and hope.

It’s a cold, snowy night at Lac La Croix First Nation, and two siblings are too excited to fall asleep. The horses are coming tonight! Amid the buzz of aunties and uncles and cousins, Nookomis tells a story that began many years ago, when their people shared the land with herds of wild ponies. In a symbiotic relationship, the people provided the horses with food and shelter, while the horses helped them run traplines and travel. But after many years had passed, and the herd had dwindled to four, the government threatened to shoot them. It was time to move the remaining horses to safety—but getting them there would be harder than they thought! Follow the true story of a “heist across the ice” from Ontario to Minnesota and learn how a small herd of hardy, indigenous horses returned years later to their native land. Rich illustrations honor the life of the Ojibwe people over time, as well as the land and living things that have survived under their stewardship.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.62" x 10.62" | Hardcover 

All My Relations is a rhyming story of appreciation for the connections and relationships we have to the world around us. This book creates opportunities for conversations and connections with Mother Earth and each other; The Swimmers, The Crawlers, The Four-Legged, The Two-Legged, and All Our Relations.

Educator Information
Recommended for grades 1 to 3.

Additional Information
14 Pages | Hardcover 

There, in the middle of the forest, the young calf stood alone. 

When a young moose calf gets lost in a storm, he is found by Nana and Papa, a kind couple who offer him shelter and a name: Charlie. They bring him home to Matachewan First Nation, where two dogs, Spike and Molly, happily welcome him into their pack. Together, Charlie and his friends spend their days digging holes on the beach, playing fetch, and having fun. 

But Charlie is growing fast, and soon it will be time for him to return to the forest. With Spike and Molly by his side, Charlie sets off on an adventure to learn more about himself—and what it means to be a moose. 

Educator Information 
This illustrated chapter book is recommended for ages 6 to 9. The chapters are each titled with an Ojibwe word or phrase, and a glossary of the Ojibwe words and their pronunciations is included at the back of the book. Discussion questions and an author’s note can also be found at the end of the book, and a free lesson plan is available for download on our website. 

With an engaging story, lovable characters, and powerful messages, Charlie the Matachewan Moose is perfect for readers transitioning from picture books to chapter books. Meaningful themes of identity and self-awareness provide opportunities for discussion, making this book an excellent choice for homes and classrooms. 

Curriculum Connections 

• English Language Arts – figures of speech, reading, listening, discussing 

• Science – diverse ecosystems, animal behaviours and habitats 

• Personal and Social Awareness – personal and cultural identity, connecting to community, identifying values 

• Art – traditional Indigenous art styles 

• Social-Emotional Learning – recognizing and managing emotions, building positive relationships, showing empathy  

• Indigenous Knowledge and Traditions – Ojibwe language and teachings, cultural significance of animals

Additional Information 
112 Pages | 5.5” x 8.5” | Paperback | Printed in Canada 

Learn about the rhythms of the seasons with Joshua in this captivating read-aloud story for ages 5 to 8.

Join Joshua as his father teaches him about traditional food harvesting.

Joshua loves being on the land. When the weather is warm, Joshua and his dad gather mint from the shores of Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (Lake Nipigon First Nation) in northeastern Ontario. But when will that be? It’s not when the leaves are changing colour. It’s not when the snow falls from the sky. It’s not when the flowers are budding. When is it time to gather mint from the land?

In the back of the book, find a glossary and pronunciation guide for the Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin words featured throughout the story.

Reviews
"Tyna Legault Taylor delivers a magical story of the seasons through Joshua’s sweet anticipation as he learns how to know when it is time to harvest katakipanik / gaaminomaagobagak / mint from the land. In this beautifully illustrated book, Joshua gains important land-based traditional knowledges from his father about harvesting, medicines, and Indigenous food sovereignty and learns key words in Northern Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin as he discovers his relationships to land. With the inclusion of a recipe for Mint From the Land Iced Tea and a glossary, this book will engage readers of all ages, but will be especially treasured by children who see themselves in Joshua’s curious and adventurous spirit!" — Barbara Parker, Associate Professor, Lakehead University

“Swampy Cree…and Anishinaabemowin words are interwoven seamlessly into the simply stated sentences. Dao’s vibrant illustrations radiate warmth and connection. Sharing land-based Indigenous knowledge, this is an informative picture-book-series opener.”—Booklist

“A warm and colourful tale that brings traditional teachings to life. This is a story from the home and the heart that the whole family will enjoy.”—Don Kelly, Gemini Award–nominated host of APTN's Fish Out of Water and Crazy Like a Lynx

“The lived experience of Joshua and his family...is a testament to the sacred connection between Indigenous people and the land. A great tool for all children to learn more about Indigenous people and Indigenous languages.”—Phil Fontaine, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Includes some Swampy Cree (n-dialect) words in brown and Anishinaabemowin words in green, but this is not a dual-language book.

The backmatter includes a Swampy Cree/Anishinaabemowin Glossary and a recipe for Mint From the Land Iced Tea. 

Big Ideas: Land-Based and Place-Based Learning, Traditional Foods, Traditional Clothing, Traditional Medicine, STEM: Seasonal Cycles, STEM: Plants.

This book is part of the Joshua Learns from the Land series.

Additional Information
36 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover 

Read along with Bree, Dee, and Reed, and learn the Long ‘ee’ Vowel.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for K-2.

This book is part of the Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection Series 2. 

Following the Drumbeat Decodable Series 1, the Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 also provides practice for children to become phonics-wise readers.

The Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 teach readers the long vowels (Long i_e, Long o_e, Long ee, Long ai, Long a_e, Long oa, Long u_e, and Long ea) in the context of cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words bringing a much-needed Indigenous Perspective to this phonics program. Each book contains a word list, high-frequency words, long vowel words, and fun activities for extended learning.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Paperback 

Read along with Eager Beaver and learn the Long ‘ea’ Vowel. 

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for K-2.

This book is part of the Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection Series 2. 

Following the Drumbeat Decodable Series 1, the Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 also provides practice for children to become phonics-wise readers.

The Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 teach readers the long vowels (Long i_e, Long o_e, Long ee, Long ai, Long a_e, Long oa, Long u_e, and Long ea) in the context of cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words bringing a much-needed Indigenous Perspective to this phonics program. Each book contains a word list, high-frequency words, long vowel words, and fun activities for extended learning.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Paperback 

Read along with June Bug and Duke and learn the Long ‘u_e’ Vowel.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for K-2.

This book is part of the Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection Series 2. 

Following the Drumbeat Decodable Series 1, the Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 also provides practice for children to become phonics-wise readers.

The Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 teach readers the long vowels (Long i_e, Long o_e, Long ee, Long ai, Long a_e, Long oa, Long u_e, and Long ea) in the context of cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words bringing a much-needed Indigenous Perspective to this phonics program. Each book contains a word list, high-frequency words, long vowel words, and fun activities for extended learning.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Paperback 

Read along with Shade and Snake and learn the Long ‘a_e’ Vowel.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for K-2.

This book is part of the Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection Series 2. 

Following the Drumbeat Decodable Series 1, the Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 also provides practice for children to become phonics-wise readers.

The Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 teach readers the long vowels (Long i_e, Long o_e, Long ee, Long ai, Long a_e, Long oa, Long u_e, and Long ea) in the context of cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words bringing a much-needed Indigenous Perspective to this phonics program. Each book contains a word list, high-frequency words, long vowel words, and fun activities for extended learning.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Paperback 

Read along with Snail Trail and learn the Long ‘ai’ Vowel.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for K-2.

This book is part of the Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection Series 2. 

Following the Drumbeat Decodable Series 1, the Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 also provides practice for children to become phonics-wise readers.

The Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 teach readers the long vowels (Long i_e, Long o_e, Long ee, Long ai, Long a_e, Long oa, Long u_e, and Long ea) in the context of cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words bringing a much-needed Indigenous Perspective to this phonics program. Each book contains a word list, high-frequency words, long vowel words, and fun activities for extended learning.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Paperback 

Read along with Stone Goes Home and learn the Long ‘o_e’ Vowel.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for K-2.

This book is part of the Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection Series 2. 

Following the Drumbeat Decodable Series 1, the Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 also provides practice for children to become phonics-wise readers.

The Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 teach readers the long vowels (Long i_e, Long o_e, Long ee, Long ai, Long a_e, Long oa, Long u_e, and Long ea) in the context of cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words bringing a much-needed Indigenous Perspective to this phonics program. Each book contains a word list, high-frequency words, long vowel words, and fun activities for extended learning.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Paperback 

Read along with The Oak Tree and learn the Long ‘oa’ Vowel.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for K-2.

This book is part of the Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection Series 2. 

Following the Drumbeat Decodable Series 1, the Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 also provides practice for children to become phonics-wise readers.

The Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 teach readers the long vowels (Long i_e, Long o_e, Long ee, Long ai, Long a_e, Long oa, Long u_e, and Long ea) in the context of cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words bringing a much-needed Indigenous Perspective to this phonics program. Each book contains a word list, high-frequency words, long vowel words, and fun activities for extended learning.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Paperback 

Read along with The Ride and learn the Long ‘i_e’ Vowel.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for K-2.

This book is part of the Drumbeat Decodable Book Collection Series 2. 

Following the Drumbeat Decodable Series 1, the Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 also provides practice for children to become phonics-wise readers.

The Drumbeat Decodable Series 2 teach readers the long vowels (Long i_e, Long o_e, Long ee, Long ai, Long a_e, Long oa, Long u_e, and Long ea) in the context of cvc (consonant-vowel-consonant) words bringing a much-needed Indigenous Perspective to this phonics program. Each book contains a word list, high-frequency words, long vowel words, and fun activities for extended learning.

Additional Information
16 Pages | Paperback 

For kids ages 3-7, this lyrical picture book explores the complex emotions around missing a loved one, with stunning illustrations by Ojibwe artist Maya McKibbin.

I wish I could show you…
this great big meadow,
like a sea of lacy clouds….

In this beautiful ode to nature and mindfulness, a child sets out to explore the environment around their home, using all their senses. Yet, someone important is missing, someone the child wishes could be there on the journey.

Expressive text by Kathy Stinson leaves room for readers’ own interpretations about who the child in the story might be missing, while Indigenous illustrator Maya McKibbin’s gorgeous images capture the lush beauty of the natural world and the tenderness of a child’s emotions.

The perfect book for helping a child navigate loss, or missing someone that can’t be there with them.

Reviews
“Radiant images and a spacious narrative provide adults with an uplifting space to discuss heavy emotions with young ones ... A glowing window into grieving that makes room for sorrow and joy to coexist.”—Kirkus Reviews

"Lovely descriptive language….will lead to discussions about loss and how spending time in nature can be healing. A gentle book dealing with grief, told through the lens of the natural world.”—School Library Journal

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Additional Information
40 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover

Young readers will get ready for autumn on a moose tracking adventure with Joshua and Kokum.

When the harvest begins every fall, Joshua looks forward to eating Kokum's delicious moose meat stew at family feasts. He loves being on the land, and he can't wait to go moose hunting with his kokum.

Joshua and Kokum are careful not to make too much noise as they look for moose tracks in the forest. There are so many different animal tracks and Joshua can find them all. But which ones are moose tracks?

In the back of the book, find a glossary and pronunciation guide for the Omushkegomowin (Swampy Cree language) and Anishaabemowin (Ojibwe language) words featured throughout the story. A wonderful cultural learning experience for 5- to 8-year-olds!

Reviews
"A great learning tool for kids! This book not only teaches Omushkegomowin and Anishinaabemowin words and how to identify different animal tracks, but also, and most importantly, it instills respect for all living creatures and consideration for Mother Nature. I hope to one day harvest a moose with my kids, but in the meantime, we’ll try Kokum’s recipe for moose meat stew." — Chuck Hughes, chef and host of Chuck and the First Peoples' Kitchen

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.

Reading Levels:

• Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: L
• Lexile measure: 760L

This book is part of the Joshua Learns from the Land series.

Additional Information
40 pages | 8.50" x 8.50" | Hardcover 

Dévastée par la perte de son frère aîné bien-aimé, emporté par le cancer, Bugz retourne à l'endroit où elle a toujours trouvé du réconfort et de la force : le Floraverse, un jeu vidéo multijoueurs d’envergure internationale.Au cours de l'année écoulée, elle a retrouvé petit à petit tout ce qu'elle avait perdu dans ce monde virtuel. Mieux encore, elle travaille secrètement à la création d'un robot qui sera à la fois une arme redoutable et une source d'inspiration. Le robot Waawaate ressemble à s'y méprendre au frère qui lui manque tant, et agit même comme lui.Bugz se sent prêt à le montrer à Feng, qui est devenu son compagnon de route dans le Floraverse. Elle est impatiente de faire équipe avec son ami et son robot pour démontrer sa supériorité dans le jeu. Feng a toutefois ses propres problèmes à régler, surtout lorsqu'il apprend que ses parents sont vivants et veulent le contacter. Alors qu'ils s'efforcent de surmonter leur deuil et leur perte, Feng et Bugz se rapprochent de plus en plus.Mais les perturbations dans le Floraverse ne peuvent être ignorées, surtout lorsque Bugz se rend compte que son robot Waawaate devient de plus en plus puissant, sans qu'elle puisse le contrôler.Les frontières entre le monde virtuel et le monde réel deviennent dangereusement floues pour une jeune fille autochtone dans cette passionnante suite du roman fantastique Un pied dans chaque monde, de Wab Kinew.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12+.

This book is part of Le Floraverse series.

This book is available in English: The Everlasting Road

Additional Information
Paperback