2019 - 2020 Selections

Neekna and Chemai are two little girls growing up in the Okanagan Valley in the time before European contact. Through these two friends, we learn about the seasonal life patterns of the Okanagan First Peoples. The girls spend time with Great-Grandmother, who tells them about important ceremonies, and they gather plants with Neekna's grandmother. Grandmother explains how bitterroot came to be an important food source, and why the people give a special ceremony of thanks at its harvest. Grandmother also tells the story of how a woman was changed to a rock to watch over the Okanagan Valley. Neekna understands how important it is that she has received the knowledge passed down for generations, from great-grandmother to grandmother to mother.

Educator Information
Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2019-2020 resource list as being useful for grades 2-7 in these subject areas: Career Education, English Language Arts, Social Studies.

Key Points:

• Learn about the seasonal life patterns of the Okanagan people.
• Armstrong's main goal in writing is to educate young people about Indigenous culture and history.
• Both educator and protector, Jeannette Armstrong is a professor of Indigenous Studies and a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Philosophy. Her research into Indigenous philosophies and Okanagan Syilx thought and environmental ethics that are coded into Syilx literature has been recognized locally and globally, and she serves as an active member of the Okanagan Nation Alliance and the En’owkin Centre.

Additional Information
52 pages | 5.00" x 7.00" | 3rd Edition

This whimsical story celebrates the revitalization of Cree dialects and traditional methods of storytelling.

During an unfortunate mishap, young Awâsis loses Kôhkum’s freshly baked world-famous bannock. Not knowing what to do, Awâsis seeks out a variety of other-than-human relatives willing to help. What adventures are in store for Awâsis?

Additional Information
28 pages | 9.00" x 9.00"

What creatures lurk beneath the sea ice? Putuguq and Kublu – two siblings who can’t seem to get along- are about to find out! On their way to the shoreline, Putuguq and Kublu run into their grandfather, who has a stern warning for the pair: always beware when playing on the shore, because you never know if a qalupalik, a mythical creature that snatches children, is lying in wait under the ice. Kublu is pretty sure their grandfather is just trying to spook them with a scary story from the past….but maybe not?

Reviews
"More playful than scary, Putuguq & Kublu and the Qalupalik! succeeds in teaching about contemporary Indigenous culture in a non-didactic, humorous way. As a supplementary text, it will easily align to curricula while helping children build their literacy skills. With brightly coloured illustrations and engaging dialogue, it’s one of those books that is highly informational without revealing as much to its young readers." 

"This graphic novel for beginners has just the right balance of mischief, excitement, and danger, with enough humor to keep things light. Bright colors, clean lines, and larger panels make for inviting, uncluttered reading. Set in a small town in Nunavut, Canada, this story centers Inuit culture in all aspects but never feels forced or didactic. Rather, readers will get a glimpse into contemporary Indigenous lives that are both different and very much like their own."

Educator & Series Information
This book is part of the Putuguq & Kublu series.

Recommended for ages 5+

Additional Information
32 pages | 6.00" x 8.00"

Spirit Bear is off on another adventure! Follow him as he learns about traditional knowledge and Residential Schools from his Uncle Huckleberry and his friend, Lak'insxw, before heading to Algonquin territory, where children teach him about Shannen's Dream.

Spirit Bear and his new friends won't stop until Shannen's Dream of "safe and comfy schools" comes true for every First Nations student.

Dear Uncle Huckleberry,

Look up at the stars tonight. If you look closely, you'll see Shannen Koostachin lighting the way.

Shannen knew that school should be a time for dreams and that every child deserves to have a safe and comfy school, a proper education, and to feel proud of who they are. Every child is sacred.

Did you know that many First Nations schools get less money from the government than other schools? Shannen knew this was wrong. And so do I.

And like my mom, Mary the Bear, always says, when we see something wrong, we need to help make things right!

Did you know that Lak'insxw means "grizzly bear" in Gitxsan language?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 6 to 12.

This book is part of the Spirit Bear series.

This resource is also available in French: Spirit Bear: pêcher le savoir, attraper des rêves : Base sur une histoire vraie

Additional Information
52 pages | 216 x 216 mm

Alex is attending her first Mi'kmaw spiritual gathering, or mawiomi. Though she is timid at first, older cousin Matthew takes her under his wing. Meeting Elders along the way, they learn about traditional Mi'kmaw culture: the sacred fire, drumming, tanning and moccasin decorating, basket-and canoe-making, and enjoy a Mi'kmaw feast. Most importantly, Alex finds her voice in the talking circle.

With contemporary illustrations by the bestselling illustrator Arthur Stevens, The Gathering is an inclusive story that will educate and entertain Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers alike.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended ages: 4-7

Recommended in the "Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2019-2020" resource list as being useful for K-4 students in the areas of English Language Arts and Social Studies.

This book is part of the Indigenous Knowledge Series.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.00" x 10.00"