Indigenous Peoples in Canada

In Wôpanâak Seasons a young Wampanoag child takes readers on a seasonal journey through Aquinnah, on Neope, known as Martha’s Vineyard. Spring brings the return of wildlife; summer brings beach adventures and clambakes; fall is for harvesting cranberries and making jams; and winter features cozy gatherings and heartfelt traditions. Each season showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Wampanoag people. With striking illustrations and lyrical prose, this book is about an appreciation of the land and the joy the joy of coming together with our community all year round.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Additional Information
40 pages | 7.00" x 8.50" | Hardcover

In this story, it is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Jen shares her story of healing with the students. 

For a long time, Mi’gmaq were not allowed to speak their language at school. Today, many Mi’gmaq are reconnecting with their language. 

How do you honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation? 

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4-7, for use in kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms.

Cedar School Decodables is divided into six sets, which increase in word count and complexity of sentence structure. Elder Jen’s Story is in Set 6 – R-Controlled Vowels, and reviews er, ir, and ur. Books in Set 6 have 110-125 words. 

Readers should be familiar with the concepts included in Set 1 to Set 6: 

• consonants 

• beginning and end blends 

• short, long, and r-controlled vowels 

• digraphs 

• suffixes and ending spelling patterns 

• a /o/ 

• s – /s/ and /z/ 

• VC-CV, V/CV, VC/V, and compound words 

• possessives 

Series Information
Welcome to Cedar School! Join Liv, Tom, Gus, and Bell as they learn on the land and explore Mi’gmaw teachings with their teacher, Miss Sam, and the school’s Mi’gmaw Elder, Jen. With charming illustrations and simple storylines, this decodable series engages students as they practise their reading skills. Each book includes a pre-reading review of non-decodable words, and many of the books introduce special words related to Indigenous teachings. Talking Together prompts facilitate discussions led by the reading teacher. 

Developed in partnership with Dyslexia Canada, Cedar School Decodables is a series of 20 decodable books for young readers. Designed for students who have previously learned short vowel and consonant sounds, additional phonic skills are developed progressively throughout the series.

The series will be accompanied by Cedar School Decodables Teacher’s Guide and a series of four picture books, which will be available at a later date.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.5” x 5.5” | Paperback | ISBN: 978-1-77174-654-0

Learn fun names for animal groups of the West Coast with a sturdy board book featuring the illustrations of Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers.

Bright blocks of colour and tactile embossed pages bring the natural world of the wild West Coast to life. Accompanied by a rhythmic, rhyming text, this board book will entertain babies, toddlers, and adults alike as they discover that orcas leap and dive in a pod, a bunch of sea lions are called a bob, geese make up a wedge, a swamp full of croaking frogs form a chorus, a jumble of jellies are called a bloom—and more!

A Flock of Gulls, a Chorus of Frogs is a vibrant addition to this bestselling, award-winning First West Coast Book series, perfect for storytime and supporting language development in babies and toddlers.

Educator & Series Information
This book is a part of the First West Coast Books series.

Recommended for ages 3 and under.

Additional Information
24 pages | 7.25" x 5.00" | Board Book

Join artist and author, Storm Angeconeb, Lac Seul First Nation, Ojibwe as she gives thanks to her relatives in her first published children’s book. In All My Relatives — Indinawemaaganidag, Storm shares the intimate relations between the natural world, her family and their traditions. Storm gives thanks to each animal in Ojibwe in this first-of-its-kind board book featuring her beautiful, colourful Ojibwe art.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 0 to 4.

Additional Information
16 Pages | 16.5" x 16.5" | Board Book

All That You Are is a series of heartwarming, affirmational picture books from author and illustrator Sarah-Anne Tourond.

Through lyrical text and watercolour illustrations, this series shares the teachings of the Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel to remind children of their connection to the world around them. Each book is inspired by one quadrant of the Medicine Wheel that represents an aspect of wellness—Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, or Mental. A diagram of the Medicine Wheel is included at the back of the books. Anishinaabe Connections are also included to share more about Anishinaabe art, culture, and traditions explored in the text and illustrations.

A percentage of proceeds from this series is donated to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society to support their efforts in advocacy for justice and healing. To find out more information, please visit https://www.irsss.ca/.

Books in the All That You Are Series include:

You Are Sacred – Connects to the Spiritual quadrant of the Medicine Wheel

You Are the Land – Connects to the Physical quadrant of the Medicine Wheel

Educator Information
Books in the All That You Are series are best suited for children ages 3 to 6 and make wonderful read-alouds in classrooms and homes.

Free lesson plans and activity sheets are available for each book.

Curriculum Connections:

Early Literacy – listening, reading, and discussing

Art – the rhythm and music of the world around us, traditional Anishinaabe clothing and art

Health and Wellness – focusing on breath and balance, self-affirmation

Science – harmonious ecosystems, biodiversity of plants and animals with Indigenous cultural importance, environmental awareness

Social Responsibility – uplifting others and ourselves

Indigenous Knowledge and Traditions – teachings of the Anishinaabe Medicine Wheel, the Seven Generations, and All Our Relations

Additional Information
Each book is 24 pages | 8” x 8” | Hardcover | Series ISBN: 978-1-77174-630-4 

A festive, joyful Indigenous picture book that explores both Christmas traditions and Anishinaabe culture, for fans of Santa in the City and Go Show the World.

One winter solstice, Mommy says, "Baby, we're going home to the Rez. We're going to have an Anishinaabe Christmas." But this is Baby's first Christmas away from the city, and they're worried! They have a lot of questions:

How will Santa know where to find them?

Why do we have presents on Christmas?

How come they're going home to the Rez but don't live there?

On the long trip to Mooshom's and Kookom's, Baby learns about animals being part of their family, about the North Star leading them home and even the meanings of some Anishinaabe words. Will this Anishinaabe Christmas be Baby's best yet?

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

Additional Information
48 pages | 9.00" x 10.25" | Hardcover 

Anahareo Saves the Beaver is the lost story of how Anahareo, an Indigenous woman, helps save the beaver from extinction. Anahareo helps to initiate the conservation movement by convincing Grey Owl to adopt two beaver kits and give up trapping. She helps him raise environmental awareness around the world. The story is accompanied by some Anishinabe translations and teachings as well as some thought-provoking environmental insights which will appeal to children ages 3 to 8.

Educator Information
The publisher recommends this work for ages 3 to 8.

Translation and Indigenous Teachings are by Dennis and Elaine Mckay, Anishinabe elders, Rolling River First Nation.

Proceeds from this book go to Friends of Riding Mountain.

Additional Information
32 Pages | 8.5" x 8.5" | Paperback 

In this fun board book for young kids, turtles skateboard, salmon snorkel, bears take photos and otters frolic with floaties!

Mi’kmaw artist Mel Beaulieu’s lively modern take on traditional beadwork brings these animals to life. Mi’kma’ki’s most iconic animals are portrayed in this colourful and whimsical book.

Mi’kmaw names (and pronunciation guides) make this a great introduction to contemporary Mi’kma’ki for very young children.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 2 to 5.

Additional Information
6.53" x 6.53 | Board Book

Big or small, sweet or savoury, with stew or with sprinkles, there are tons of ways to enjoy bannock!

This rhyming book explores a favourite Inuit food, and has some fun along the way. What’s your favourite way to eat bannock?

Try it at home with the included bannock recipe!

Written by Inuk/Dene writer Masiana Kelly, this sweet and simple narrative celebrates this delicious food!

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

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

“There is magic in you, there is magic in me, wait, just wait and see!”

And with those words, Lyle’s best friend, a stuffed sloth named Leeto, comes to life! Leeto notices that Lyle is feeling stressed and worried. Lyle has a heavy feeling in her chest, her thoughts are sticky, and her tummy is icky. Leeto knows just what to do, a trip to Present Park will teach them something new.

At Present Park, Lyle and Leeto meet special friends, Coop the bear, Winston the frog, and Nay the budgie. These friends help Lyle and Leeto learn a different way of breathing, they learn to create worry art, and how important it is to put their bodies in motion so their brains can make happy potion.

With Leeto by her side, together they will try all of the activities Present Park has to offer. How will Lyle feel by the end of their adventure?

Educator Information
For ages 5 to 9.

This book teachers children how to recognize the physical and emotional symptoms of stress and worry. The story follows an Indigenous girl and Leeto, her stuffed sloth who comes alive in her mind.

"This book is a passion project for me. In my 25 plus years of experience in the mental health field, I noticed a gap in the literature available for children that deals with emotional intelligence (what am I feeling and experiencing) as well as emotional resilience ( how can I regulate myself and get through stressful times). Gaining self awareness enables children to identify triggers and early signs of stress, allowing for proactive intervention before these strong emotions escalate.

I also recognize the important role parents and care-givers play in supporting children's emotional well-being. For younger children, Blots, Dots and Sticky Thoughts (Stress and Worry) is meant to be assisted reading between parents and their children to generate open dialogue. Open communication about these types of topics foster a supportive and understanding atmosphere where children can speak freely about their emotions.

This story wouldn't be complete without some fun! Lyle and Leeto share a bit of magic as they chant their special phrase to have Leeto come to life. They meet new friends like Coop the bear, Winston the frog, and Nay the budgie who does a hilarious dance called "Giggle Giggle Bum Wiggle"! 

This book is excellent for any child who wants to harness their magic and activate their limitless potential." - Cariss Jackson 

Additional Information
36 Pages | 8.5" x 8.5" | Paperback

The captivating story of how the Blue Camas, a flower that has been cultivated on Canada’s west coast since time immemorial, came to symbolize the meeting of two contrasting ways of life and the perseverance of traditional knowledge against all odds.

Blue Camas, Blue Camas tells the story of a flower that is native to the Northwest Coast of North America. For thousands of years, it has been considered a sacred and valuable plant by the Indigenous Peoples of this region, who harvested and traded Blue Camas bulbs all along the west coast. At the height of this period, meadows would come alive with the bright wildflowers, which would attract dozens of species of butterflies and birds, and entire villages would work together to harvest the plant and ensure its continued growth.

When Europeans arrived and began to colonize the land, they did not see the value of the Blue Camas plant, and in fact saw the meadows where the plant had been harvested as ideal terrain to grow their own crops. The story takes place at the point of contact between a Lkwungen community and a group of Irish settlers, who see the land in very different ways.

This beautifully illustrated picture book is an ode to a way of life that was threatened and nearly destroyed through miscommunication and colonization. It also raises awareness for food rights, biodiversity, and the preservation of ecosystems, offering children and teachers the opportunity to discuss these important themes in an open and constructive way.

Reviews
"Blue Camas, Blue Camas is a captivating story revealing the overlooked history of colonial contact and its impact on Indigenous communities. Through vivid storytelling and diverse voices, it emphasizes land stewardship, cultural heritage, and fostering empathy, making it a valuable resource for children.”—Samantha Beynon, author of Oolichan Moon

“A beautiful story and an important narrative about the timeline of colonial contact . . . I am happy to share this book with my children.”—Sen’ákw, Senaqwila Wyss, Squamish Nation ethnobotanist

“Danielle S. Marcotte offers a rich, historical perspective of the amazing Blue Camas plant through the eyes of a First Nations family and a settler family.”—Teoni Spathelfer, Heiltsuk author of the Little Wolf Series

“This beautiful story weaves together a rich and important narrative. Family, nature, and the village are all intertwined, with the camas at the centre of it all. So simple and yet so poignant and true!”—Robert "Lucky" Budd, co-author (with Roy Henry Vickers) of the Northwest Coast Legends Series and A Is for Anemone: A First West Coast Alphabet

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
48 pages | 9.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

Hello! Who do you see and hear in the woods today? Meet a variety of woodland and water animals in this story written in Anishinaabemowin and English.

Can you see a fox digging, spot two minnows dancing or hear a swarm of bees buzzing? Boozhoo! / Hello! introduces children to familiar animals as they go about their daily activities: walking, running, swimming, climbing and finally - when the day is done - sleeping! Illustrated in a vibrant and colorful woodland style that will appeal to readers young and old alike, and accompanied by an author's note.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 6.

Dual-Language: Anishinaabemowin and English.

Translated by Mary Ann Corbiere.

Key Text Features: Author's note, translations, illustrations

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.75" x 8.75" | Hardcover

Welcome to Cedar School! Join Liv, Tom, Gus, and Bell as they learn on the land and explore Mi’gmaw teachings with their teacher, Miss Sam, and the school’s Mi’gmaw Elder, Jen. With charming illustrations and simple storylines, this decodable series engages students as they practise their reading skills. Each book includes a pre-reading review of non-decodable words, and many of the books introduce special words related to Indigenous teachings. Talking Together prompts facilitate discussions led by the reading teacher. 

Developed in partnership with Dyslexia Canada, Cedar School Decodables is a series of 20 decodable books for young readers. Designed for students who have previously learned short vowel and consonant sounds, additional phonic skills are developed progressively throughout the series. Cedar School Decodables is divided into six sets, which increase in word count and complexity of sentence structure:

Set 1 – Short Vowels (40-60 words)
Set 2 – Digraphs (60-80 words)
Set 3 – VCe (80-90 words)
Set 4 – Longer Words (90-100 words)
Set 5 – Ending Spelling Patterns (100-110 words)
Set 6 – R-Controlled Vowels (110-125 words)

Educator Information
This bundle includes 120 books: six copies each of the 20 Cedar School Decodables titles. The Cedar School Decodables Teacher’s Guide, which will be available for purchase at a later date, is not included in this bundle.

This series is recommended for ages 4 to 7 for use in kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms.

Additional Information
Each book is 16 pages | 6.5” x 5.5” | Paperback | Reading Bundle ISBN: 9781771746571

Welcome to Cedar School! Join Liv, Tom, Gus, and Bell as they learn on the land and explore Mi’gmaw teachings with their teacher, Miss Sam, and the school’s Mi’gmaw Elder, Jen. With charming illustrations and simple storylines, this decodable series engages students as they practise their reading skills. Each book includes a pre-reading review of non-decodable words, and many of the books introduce special words related to Indigenous teachings. Talking Together prompts facilitate discussions led by the reading teacher. 

Developed in partnership with Dyslexia Canada, Cedar School Decodables is a series of 20 decodable books for young readers. Designed for students who have previously learned short vowel and consonant sounds, additional phonic skills are developed progressively throughout the series. Cedar School Decodables is divided into six sets, which increase in word count and complexity of sentence structure:

Set 1 – Short Vowels (40-60 words)
Set 2 – Digraphs (60-80 words)
Set 3 – VCe (80-90 words)
Set 4 – Longer Words (90-100 words)
Set 5 – Ending Spelling Patterns (100-110 words)
Set 6 – R-Controlled Vowels (110-125 words)

Educator Information
This bundle includes 20 books: one copy each of the 20 Cedar School Decodables titles. The Cedar School Decodables Teacher’s Guide, which will be available for purchase at a later date, is not included in this bundle.

This series is recommended for ages 4 to 7 for use in kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms.

Additional Information
Each book is 16 pages | 6.5” x 5.5” | Paperback | Series ISBN: 9781771746557

In this story, the class practises their math skills in the forest by counting what they see. How many birds are in the trees? 

Mi’gmaq use math when building, crafting, and making art. Math skills can be used every day! 

Can you count along with Bell, Gus, Liv, and Tom? 

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4-7, for use in kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms.

Cedar School Decodables is divided into six sets, which increase in word count and complexity of sentence structure. A Forest of Numbers is in Set 4 – Longer Words, and reviews open/closed syllable words. Books in Set 4 have 90-100 words. 

Readers should be familiar with the concepts included in Set 1 to Set 4: 

• consonants 

• beginning and end blends 

• short and long vowels 

• digraphs 

• a /o/ 

• s – /s/ and /z/ 

• -s, -es, -ed, and -ing suffixes 

• VC-CV, V/CV, VC/V, and compound words 

• possessives 

Series Information
Welcome to Cedar School! Join Liv, Tom, Gus, and Bell as they learn on the land and explore Mi’gmaw teachings with their teacher, Miss Sam, and the school’s Mi’gmaw Elder, Jen. With charming illustrations and simple storylines, this decodable series engages students as they practise their reading skills. Each book includes a pre-reading review of non-decodable words, and many of the books introduce special words related to Indigenous teachings. Talking Together prompts facilitate discussions led by the reading teacher. 

Developed in partnership with Dyslexia Canada, Cedar School Decodables is a series of 20 decodable books for young readers. Designed for students who have previously learned short vowel and consonant sounds, additional phonic skills are developed progressively throughout the series.

The series will be accompanied by Cedar School Decodables Teacher’s Guide and a series of four picture books, which will be available at a later date.

Additional Information
16 pages | 6.5” x 5.5” | Paperback | ISBN: 978-1-77174-649-6