Coast Salish

"Do not eat too much of the earth. Save some."

When you take something from the earth you must always give something back.

From the Kwantlen First Nation village of Squa’lets comes the tale of Th’owxiya, an old and powerful spirit that inhabits a feast dish of tempting, beautiful foods from around the world. But even surrounded by this delicious food, Th’owxiya herself craves only the taste of children. When she catches a hungry mouse named Kw’atel stealing a piece of cheese from her dish, she threatens to devour Kw’atel’s whole family, unless she can bring Th’owxiya two child spirits. Ignorant but desperate, Kw’atel sets out on an epic journey to fulfill the spirit’s demands. With the help of a sqeweqs, two spa:th, and a sasq’ets, Kw’atel endeavours to find gifts that would appease Th’owxiya and save her family.

Similar to “Hansel and Gretel” and the northwest First Nations story “The Wild Woman of the Woods,” Th’owxiya—which integrates masks, song, and dance—is a tale of understanding boundaries, being responsible for one’s actions, forgiving mistakes, and finding the courage to stand up for what’s right.

Reviews
“What makes Th’owxiya: The Hungry Feast Dish truly unforgettable is in its engaging story steeped in tradition.” —Mark Robins, Vancouver Presents

"This play about Th’owxiya, the basket ogress, allows students to engage with storytelling from his own Kwantlen perspective. This story includes several animal characters, including Kw’at’el (a mouse character) who must bring her some hungry children or his family will be eaten. With themes centering on Kwantlen language, culture, and relationships to the land, this play can engage a wide range of learners. This book also includes a Kwantlen terminology guide, links to pronunciation and language resources, and a teacher's resource guide which gives specific information on Dandurand’s own Kwantlen perspectives on storytelling." -Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021

Educator Information
Recommended theatre/play for young audiences ages 5 to 15 (96 pages, in a play/novel format).

For Kwantlen people, Th'owxiya is a mythological being used to teach children to listen and not to venture off alone lest she take them and eat them. Joseph began writing this play over twenty-five years ago, when he was an intern in a pilot program to study museology at the Canadian Museum of History.

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list for Grades K to 6 in the areas of Drama, English Language Arts, and Music.

Additional Information
96 pages | 5.12" x 7.62"

Cet ensemble comprend une copie de chaque titre dans la collection des Histoires fortes : Les Salish de la Côte (8 livres au total). 
 

• Le Cèdre, le cœur de notre peuple 

• Donnant-donnant 

• La Grande Couverture de mousse 

• Grand-maman et moi recevons des noms traditionnels 

• Maman, comment fait-on du poisson fumé ? 

• Pourquoi les corbeaux et les loups chassent ensemble 

• Prendre soin de notre Terre-Mère 

• Le soleil et la lune 

Educator Information / Information pour éducateurs

Cette ressource est aussi disponible en anglais ICI.

Additional Information / Information additionnelle
ISBN: 9781771745802

Cet ensemble comprend 6 copies de chaque titre dans la collection des Histoires fortes : Les Salish de la Côte (48 livres au total). 

• Le Cèdre, le cœur de notre peuple 

• Donnant-donnant 

• La Grande Couverture de mousse 

• Grand-maman et moi recevons des noms traditionnels 

• Maman, comment fait-on du poisson fumé ? 

• Pourquoi les corbeaux et les loups chassent ensemble 

• Prendre soin de notre Terre-Mère 

• Le soleil et la lune 

Educator Information / Information pour éducateurs

Cette ressource est aussi disponible en anglais ICI.

Additional Information / Information additionnelle
ISBN 9781771746823

I am Dreaming Of... is authored by Coast Salish, Musqueam artist Melaney Gleeson-Lyall.

Over 10 Northwest Coast Indigenous Artists have come together in I am Dreaming of... to create a bedtime story that rhymes. Dream your way through the forest as you encounter animals of the Pacific Northwest all drawn in beautiful coastal First Nations styles.

Additional Information
24 pages | 5.75" x 7.5"

“We Are All Connected” is a series that explores how we all live together in a shared balance upon Mother Earth. Each book explores a specific ecosystem with a focus on one animal and its adaptations for survival within that ecosystem. Indigenous interviewees, each living within the same area, have responded to strategic questions as to how their community interacts with the land, their traditional territory. Explore each text with a sense of inquiry in mind.

8 We Are All Connected Titles Coast Salish, Coastal Rainforests and Cougars Haisla, Rivers and Chinook Salmon Inuit, Tundra and Ravens Lakota, Mixed Grasslands and Bald Eagles Métis, Wetlands and Mallards Nisga'a, Ponds and Leopard Frogs Nlaka'pamux, Grasslands and Rattlesnakes Sto:lo, Riparian Forests and Black Bears Each title covers the following curricular areas. Traditional storytelling and artwork begin each title from the focus Indigenous territory. Science: Biodiversity, classification, life cycles, food chains, food webs and connections between living and non-living things are just some of the science concepts included in each book. Social Studies: Contemporary and historical Indigenous cultural knowledge flows throughout each book. Local land forms, gatherings, harvesting practices and government are some of the social studies concepts included in each book.

2 Foundation Titles The two foundational books provide deeper understanding of the content of the “We Are All Connected” titles. We Are All Connected: The Earth, Our Home- explores biomes, ecosystems and biodiversity. We Are All Connected: The Earth, We Share- explores the interconnectedness between living and non-living things. View: We Are All Connected Learning Intentions

Additional Information
ISBN: 9781771745963 

“We Are All Connected” is a series that explores how we all live together in a shared balance upon Mother Earth. Each book explores a specific ecosystem with a focus on one animal and its adaptations for survival within that ecosystem. Indigenous interviewees, each living within the same area, have responded to strategic questions as to how their community interacts with the land, their traditional territory. Explore each text with a sense of inquiry in mind.

8 We Are All Connected Titles Coast Salish, Coastal Rainforests and Cougars Haisla, Rivers and Chinook Salmon Inuit, Tundra and Ravens Lakota, Mixed Grasslands and Bald Eagles Métis, Wetlands and Mallards Nisga'a, Ponds and Leopard Frogs Nlaka'pamux, Grasslands and Rattlesnakes Sto:lo, Riparian Forests and Black Bears Each title covers the following curricular areas. Traditional storytelling and artwork begin each title from the focus Indigenous territory. Science: Biodiversity, classification, life cycles, food chains, food webs and connections between living and non-living things are just some of the science concepts included in each book. Social Studies: Contemporary and historical Indigenous cultural knowledge flows throughout each book. Local land forms, gatherings, harvesting practices and government are some of the social studies concepts included in each book.

2 Foundation Titles The two foundational books provide deeper understanding of the content of the “We Are All Connected” titles. We Are All Connected: The Earth, Our Home- explores biomes, ecosystems and biodiversity. We Are All Connected: The Earth, We Share- explores the interconnectedness between living and non-living things.

Authenticity Note: This work contains some Indigenous artwork and photographs from Celestine Aleck.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | IBSN: 9781771742504

“We Are All Connected” is a series that explores how we all live together in a shared balance upon Mother Earth. Each book explores a specific ecosystem with a focus on one animal and its adaptations for survival within that ecosystem. Indigenous interviewees, each living within the same area, have responded to strategic questions as to how their community interacts with the land, their traditional territory. Explore each text with a sense of inquiry in mind.

8 We Are All Connected Titles Coast Salish, Coastal Rainforests and Cougars Haisla, Rivers and Chinook Salmon Inuit, Tundra and Ravens Lakota, Mixed Grasslands and Bald Eagles Métis, Wetlands and Mallards Nisga'a, Ponds and Leopard Frogs Nlaka'pamux, Grasslands and Rattlesnakes Sto:lo, Riparian Forests and Black Bears Each title covers the following curricular areas. Traditional storytelling and artwork begin each title from the focus Indigenous territory. Science: Biodiversity, classification, life cycles, food chains, food webs and connections between living and non-living things are just some of the science concepts included in each book. Social Studies: Contemporary and historical Indigenous cultural knowledge flows throughout each book. Local land forms, gatherings, harvesting practices and government are some of the social studies concepts included in each book.

2 Foundation Titles The two foundational books provide deeper understanding of the content of the “We Are All Connected” titles. We Are All Connected: The Earth, Our Home- explores biomes, ecosystems and biodiversity. We Are All Connected: The Earth, We Share- explores the interconnectedness between living and non-living things. 

Authenticity Note: This book contains some Indigenous artwork and photographs, such as photos from Rod Peters and artwork from Celestine Aleck.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | ISBN: 9781771742450

Animals of the Salish Sea is a wonderful book for home and school. This book shares Coast Salish traditional teachings of 26 animals. Also included is the specific aspects of each animal who live in this unique marine environment.

Explore the Salish Sea through the First Nations and Native art of Coast Salish artists (including: Terry Horne, Doug LaFortune, Francis Horne Sr., Maynard Johnny Jr., Marissa Nahanee, Latash Nahanee, Simone Diamond, Erica Joseph, Darrell Thorne, Doug Horne, Chad Leon, Joe Sxwaset-Wilson) and Musqueam, Coast Salish author Melaney Gleeson-Lyall.

"The Coast Salish people have been the guardians of the Salish Sea for thousands of years.  The Salish Sea provides us food and sustenance for living, ceremonies, and journeys of life.  We use the Salish Sea as our highway to travel and visit all of our relations.  Our cedar plank longhouses lined the shores inviting all of our visitors to our lands." - Doug LaFortune, Coast Salish 

Educator Information
This beautiful and colourful book offers teachings about the animals of the Salish Sea! 

Additional Information
Board Book

Animals of the Salish Sea is a wonderful new book for home and school. This book shares Coast Salish traditional teachings of 26 animals. Also included is the specific aspects of each animal who live in this unique marine environment.

Explore the Salish Sea through the First Nations and Native art of Coast Salish artists (including: Terry Horne, Doug LaFortune, Francis Horne Sr., Maynard Johnny Jr., Marissa Nahanee, Latash Nahanee, Simone Diamond, Erica Joseph, Darrell Thorne, Doug Horne, Chad Leon, Joe Sxwaset-Wilson) and Musqueam, Coast Salish author Melaney Gleeson-Lyall.

"The Coast Salish people have been the guardians of the Salish Sea for thousands of years.  The Salish Sea provides us food and sustenance for living, ceremonies, and journeys of life.  We use the Salish Sea as our highway to travel and visit all of our relations.  Our cedar plank longhouses lined the shores inviting all of our visitors to our lands." - Doug LaFortune, Coast Salish 

Educator Information
This beautiful and colourful book offers teachings about the animals of the Salish Sea! 

Additional Information
Hardcover

This Later Pimary bundle features one copy each of three Strong Stories sets: Coast Salish, Kanyen’keha:ka and Tlingit (24 books total).

Coast Salish Strong Stories written by Celestine Aleck include the following:

Granny and I Get Traditional Names
Mom, How Do You Make Smoked Fish?
Why Ravens and Wolves Hunt Together
Taking Care of Our Mother Earth
The Cedar Tree: The Heart of Our People
The Great Blanket of Moss
The Great Trade
The Sun and the Moon

Kanyen’keha:ka Strong Stories written by Michelle Corneau include the following:

Big Bear
Kanyen’kehà:ka Clans
Creation Story Sky Woman
The Thanksgiving Address
The Game
The Three Sisters
The Woodpecker
Two Row Wampum

Tlingit Strong Stories written by Bill Helin include the following:

Gift of the Salmon
Hong Kong Story Totems
Making a Canoe
Making a Drum
Raven Returns the Daylight
Spirit Bear
Tlingit Fishing
Tlingit Storytellers

Reading levels span end grade 2, grade 3 and beginning grade 4.

Additional Information
ISBN: 9781771746717

This bundle includes all 8 titles, 6 of each, in the Strong Stories Coast Salish series (48 books total).

Coast Salish Strong Stories written by Celestine Aleck include the following:

Granny and I Get Traditional Names
Mom, How Do You Make Smoked Fish?
Why Ravens and Wolves Hunt Together
Taking Care of Our Mother Earth
The Cedar Tree: The Heart of Our People
The Great Blanket of Moss
The Great Trade
The Sun and the Moon

This resource is also available in French HERE!

Additional Information
ISBN: 9781771746724

Own the entire set of Coast Salish Strong Stories written by Celestine Aleck!

Included in this set is one copy of each of the following:

Granny and I Get Traditional Names
Mom, How Do You Make Smoked Fish?
Why Ravens and Wolves Hunt Together
Taking Care of Our Mother Earth
The Cedar Tree: The Heart of Our People
The Great Blanket of Moss
The Great Trade
The Sun and the Moon 

This resource is also available in French HERE!

Additional Information
ISBN: 9781771745741

In this Coast Salish story, told in the voice of a young girl, she describes how she and her Granny get ready for their naming ceremony. When the special day arrives, the Longhouse fills with people who will witness and celebrate the sharing of their traditional names.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Stories: Coast Salish 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: Grand-maman et moi recevons des noms traditionnels.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741279

In this Coast Salish story, step-by-step instructions for gathering wood and catching, filleting and then smoking fish are given. The text and illustrations support the reader’s understanding of the process and emphasize the respect shown by the Coast Salish people for the circle of life.

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Strong Stories: Coast Salish 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: Maman, comment fait-on du poisson fumé ? 

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741224

In this Coast Salish story, it is explained how each family played a traditional role in taking care of our Mother Earth. From controlled burning to ethical hunting and fishing practices, the Coast Salish people were, and still are, taught by their elders to respect Mother Earth.

Educator & Series Information
Taking Care of Our Mother Earth is part of the Strong Stories: Coast Salish 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: Prendre soin de notre Terre-Mère.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | ISBN: 9781771741286