Woodland Cree

Let's go on a walk and practice our language!

What birds will we see? I see one sîsîp / pêyak little duck!

In a celebration of the connection between language learning and the land, a young child enjoys a walk in nature and spots different birds while practicing counting from one to ten in Plains Cree. With bright illustrations, rhyming clues in English and pronunciation guides on every page, pêyak little duck is a friendly introduction to Plains Cree and a celebration of the beauty of springtime in the Prairies and the Plains.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Learn to count from one to ten in Plains Cree. 

Simple rhyming English text complements Plains Cree vocabulary to help readers learn and practice the numbers one through ten. Illustration labels for birds and other natural objects are an opportunity for additional language learning.

Pronunciations are given beside each Cree number to support readers in their learning. The rhyme and rhythm of the English text also provides clues about how the Cree is pronounced. Additional pronunciations and information about language learning are provided in the back matter.

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

In this engrossing graphic novel, teen hockey player Chase learns more about himself and his identity in the face of prejudice and homophobia.

Thirteen-year-old Chase’s life and identity should be simple. He’s the goalie for his hockey team, the Eagles. He’s a friend to Kevin and Jade. He's Kookum's youngest grandchild. He’s a boy. He should like girls.

But it’s not that simple. Chase doesn’t like girls the way that the other boys do. It’s scary being so different from his peers. Scarier still is the feeling that his teammates can tell who he is—and that they hate him for it. If he pretends hard enough, maybe he can hide the truth.

Real strength and change can’t come from a place of shame. Chase’s dreams are troubled by visions of a bear spirit, and the more he tries to hide, the more everything falls apart. With the help of an Elder, and a Two-Spirit mentor, can Chase find the strength to be proud of who he is?

Between the Pipes explores toxic masculinity in hockey through the experiences of an Indigenous teen.

Reviews
“Highlights the importance of community and cultural connection as roots for embracing one’s identity.” — Kirkus Reviews

“The authors deftly confront multiple layers of intolerance exacerbated by toxic masculinity. Ojibwe artist RL uses saturated full color (with well-placed, empowering rainbows) to capture Chase’s self-empowering journey. The result is a compelling, hope-giving antidote against potential at-risk suicide among 2-Spirit/Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ youth.” — Booklist

“This hopeful...story offers valuable insight into Chase’s experience as a gay, Indigenous teen. Hockey and identity collide in this affirming graphic novel about recognizing and valuing one’s authentic self.” — School Library Journal

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12 - 18.

Reading Level: Fountas & Pinnell Y

Additional Information
56 pages | 6.50" x 10.00" | Paperback

First Nations culture is living, vibrant, and evolving, and generations of Indigenous kids have grown up with pop culture creeping inexorably into our lives. From gaming to social media, pirate radio to garage bands, Star Trek to D&D, and missed connections at the pow wow, Indigenous culture is so much more than how it’s usually portrayed. Indiginerds is here to celebrate those stories!

Featuring an all-Indigenous creative team, Indiginerds is an exhilarating anthology collecting 11 stories about Indigenous people balancing traditional ways of knowing with modern pop culture. Includes work by Alina Pete, PJ Underwood, Kameron White, Rhael McGregory, and many more.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12 to 18.

Full Creator Listing: Tate Allen, Ida Aronson, Jordanna George, Raven John, Nipinet Landsem, Rhael McGregor, Sam “Mushki” Medlock, Alina Pete, Wren Rios, PJ Underwood, Kameron White

Additional Information
120 pages | 6.62" x 10.25" | Paperback

Iskwew Pithasew nitisithikason. My name is Lady of the Thunderbird, and this is my story.

It takes courage and bravery to survive in the barrens.

In 1944, thirteen-year-old Ilse Schweder got lost in a snowstorm while checking her family's trapline in northern Canada. This is the harrowing story of how a young Indigenous girl defies the odds and endures nine days alone in the unforgiving barrens. Ilse faces many challenges, including freezing temperatures, wild animals, snow blindness and frostbite. With no food or supplies, she relies on Traditional Indigenous Knowledge passed down from her family. Ilse uses her connection to the land and animals, wilderness skills and resilience to find her way home.

This powerful tale of survival is written by Ilse Schweder's granddaughter.

Reviews
“Colorful illustrations in classic comic-book style help readers explore the challenging landscape. An excellent choice for a book report and good addition to a children’s nonfiction collection.”- School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Fountas & Pinnell Text Level Gradient: T 

Lexile measure: GN700L 

Guided Reading Level: T

Additional Information
96 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

The award-winning story of a young Cree man blessed with the skills of a great hunter, who learns not to take his talents for granted.

Kayâs is a young Cree man who is blessed with a Gift that makes him a talented hunter. He knows the ways of the Beings he hunts and can even talk with them in their own languages. But when he becomes proud and takes his abilities for granted, he loses his gift, and the People grow hungry.

With the help of the Elders and the Beings that inhabit the water, Kayâs learns that in order to live a life of success, fulfillment and peace, he must cherish and respect the talents and skills he has been given.

Illustrated with Dale Auger's powerful, insightful paintings, Mwâkwa Talks to the Loon introduces readers to the basics of life in a Cree village. A glossary with a pronunciation guide to the many Cree words and phrases used in the story is included.

Awards

• The 1st edition was the winner of the Aboriginal Children's Book of the Year Award, 2006 Anskohk Aboriginal Literature Festival and Book Awards

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 6-9.

Additional Information
32 pages | 10.00" x 9.25" | Paperback | 2nd Edition

A Little Plains Cree Book for Children—Teaching Guide contains lesson plans, student assignments, and other helpful information for teaching the Plains Cree language—a companion to nēhiyawēwin awāsimasinahikanis: A Little Plains Cree Book for Children: A Reference for Teaching the Plains Cree Language, the content of which focuses on terms familiar to the First Nations Cree people of Saskatchewan and follows curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Educator Information
Find the companion resource here: A Little Plains Cree Book for Children: A Reference for Teaching the Plains Cree Language

A colouring book companion is here: A Little Plains Cree Colouring Book: Plains Cree People

Additional Information
128 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | Spiral Bound

Denesųłiné Elders Lawrence and Lena Adam have been tanning hides and sharing their knowledge with others for more than four decades. Woodland Cree knowledge carrier Tommy Bird helped his family tan hides on the trapline as a young boy. Together they share their lifetime of experience to guide a new generation of hide tanners to keep the tradition alive. The trouble-shooting tips and hands-on advice in this book will help you to make your own bone tools and turn raw moosehides into smoke-tanned hides soft enough to sew into mitts or moccasins. Combining traditional knowledge with easy-to-follow instructions and detailed colour photos, Tanning Moosehides the Northern Saskatchewan Trapline Way is a practical guide you will refer to again and again.

Educator Information
The publisher recommends this resource for ages 10+ 

Recommended in the Indigenous Books for Schools catalogue as a valuable resource for Art, Science, and Social Studies in grades 5 to 12.

Themes: Animals, Arts and Culture, Cultural Teachings, Fashion, Traditional Knowledge.

Additional Information
64 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | Spiral Bound

Author Deidre Havrelock’s and illustrator Aphelandra’s The Heartbeat Drum is an uplifting picture book biography of a Cree activist and musician who founded an Indigenous hand drumming group, led by women and children, that spreads joy, healing, and unity

nisôhkisinân (We are strong) . . .
ninikamonân (We are singing) . . .
mîna nika-âhkamêyimonân (And we will continue) . . .

Whenever young Carol Powder sang along to her family’s music, her heart felt light and full of joy. Learning from her grandfather, Moshum, Carol listened closely to the drums’ heartbeat until one day Moshum made her a drum of her very own. As Carol grew up, she passed down her songs to her children, grandchildren, and many women in her community, just as Moshum taught her—even as women and children became increasingly excluded from sitting at the drum. Despite those who disapproved, she formed her own drumming group called Chubby Cree.

Today, Carol and her group share their music to advocate at climate events, to honor residential school survivors at special ceremonies, and to spread healing for anyone who needs it. Empowering and joyfully illustrated, The Heartbeat Drum is a radiant celebration of preserving Indigenous traditions, finding your voice, and speaking out.

Includes both an author’s note and illustrator’s note, as well as a personal note from Carol Powder herself.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Additional Information
40 Pages | 9" x 11" | Hardcover 

A colouring book that teaches the Plains Cree language! A Little Plains Cree Colouring Book—Plains Cree People explores kinship relationships, the names of various family members and careers in the Plains Cree language.

The content focuses on terms familiar to the First Nations Cree people of Saskatchewan and is a companion to nēhiyawēwin awāsi-masinahikanis—A Little Plains Cree Book for Children: A Reference for Teaching the Plains Cree Language. Our hope is to encourage a basic understanding of the language so that learners are able to converse with Plains Cree speakers. The best path to fluency in the Plains Cree language is immersion, but learning one word at a time is a good place to start!

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 12.

Find companion resources here:

• A Little Plains Cree Book for Children: A Reference for Teaching the Plains Cree Language
• nēhiyawēwin awāsi-masinahikanis: A Little Plains Cree Book for Children—Teaching Guide

Additional Information
56 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | Paperback

“waniskā. wāpan,” mosōm says. “Wake up. It’s morning, little one. You, me, and kohkom are going for a boat ride for the day.”

And that is exactly what they do in this quiet book that celebrates traditional life in modern times. Held warmly in his kohkom’s arms, little Luke watches ducks, pelicans and cormorants on the way to Seagull Island, where the family collects eggs for their shore lunch and to share later with Auntie at home.

Seagull Island: kiyāsko-miniscikos is inspired by Elder Myles Hector Charles’s memories of gathering eggs with his grandson Luke in northern Saskatchewan.

Written in English with Woodland Cree words and phrases, the story and illustrations show the deep connection between families and the land.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 10.

Written in English with Woodland Cree words and phrases.

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

The drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth. We all belong to the earth and we all belong to the drum.

Nikosis grew up going to powwows with his family, happily immersed in music, dance and the sounds of the drum. But when he starts going to daycare, he doesn’t feel like he belongs. Nikosis cries every time his mother leaves him in the unfamiliar environment until, one day, she and the teachers use drums to help Nikosis find connection and comfort.

Inspired by her son’s experience—and her family's love of powwow music and dance—Indigenous educator and champion hoop dancer Sandra Lamouche shares this uplifting true story of the transformative effects of culturally safe and inclusive early childhood education.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Find the dual-language (English and Plains Cree) version here: We Belong to the Drum / mistikwaskihk kitipeyimikonaw 

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.75" x 10.75" | Hardcover

The drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth. We all belong to the earth and we all belong to the drum.

Nikosis grew up going to powwows with his family, happily immersed in music, dance and the sounds of the drum. But when he starts going to daycare, he doesn’t feel like he belongs. Nikosis cries every time his mother leaves him in the unfamiliar environment until, one day, she and the teachers use drums to help Nikosis find connection and comfort.

Inspired by her son’s experience—and her family's love of powwow music and dance—Indigenous educator and champion hoop dancer Sandra Lamouche shares this uplifting true story of the transformative effects of culturally safe and inclusive early childhood education.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

This is the dual-language version, in English and Plains Cree. 

A free, downloadable poster for this book is available: Poster - We Belong to the Drum

About the Translator
As a first-language speaker of Plains Cree (nêhiyawêwin), translator Dolores Greyeyes Sand has devoted her career to teaching and promoting Cree language and cultural literacy at every opportunity, proudly following the path laid by her late mother, Dr. Freda Ahenakew, CM, SOM.

Find the English version here: We Belong to the Drum

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.75" x 10.75" | Hardcover

A Little Plains Cree Book for Children contains useful noun categories, phrases, and some basic rules for the Plains Cree language. Following the themes of the Saskatchewan Curriculum Guide for Kindergarten to Grade 12 on Aboriginal Languages, the content focuses on terms familiar to the First Nations Cree people of Saskatchewan. This book should also be supplemented by total physical response (TPR) methods, in addition to teaching materials such as songs, games, and flash cards. Our hope is to encourage a basic understanding of the language so that learners are able to converse with Plains Cree speakers. The best path to fluency in the Plains Cree language is immersion, but learning one word at a time is a good place to start!

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5+

A teaching guide can be found here: nēhiyawēwin awāsi-masinahikanis: A Little Plains Cree Book for Children—Teaching Guide

Find a colouring book here: A Little Plains Cree Colouring Book: Plains Cree People

Additional Information
96 pages | 8.50" x 11.00" | Paperback

A Rocky Cree girl must choose the skill that will define her miskanaw, the path of her life, in the second book of The Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak series.

Rocky Cree people understand that all children are born with four gifts or talents. When a child is old enough, they decide which gift, or mīthikowisiwin, they will seek to master. With her sapotawan ceremony fast approaching, Amō must choose her mīthikowisiwin. Her sister, Pīsim, became a midwife; others gather medicines or harvest fish. But none of those feel quite right.

Amō has always loved making things. Her uncle can show her how to make nipisiwata, willow baskets. Her grandmother can teach her how to make kwakwāywata, birchbark containers and plates. Her auntie has offered to begin Amō’s apprenticeship in making askihkwak, pottery.

What will Amō’s mīthikowisiwin be? Which skill should she choose? And how will she know what is right for her?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 11.

This is the second book in The Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak series.

Reading Level: Fountas & Pinnell X

Includes some Cree language.

Additional Information
60 pages | 10.00" x 12.00" | Hardcover

I don’t recall seeing books when I was a little boy. But the old people, they grew up listening to stories. And so, every night, when the old people were done their evening prayers, they would sit and they would tell us stories too.

At the time of the spring thaw, the Rocky Cree fill their canoes with furs, eager to trade with the new visitors in mistiwāsahak (Hudson Bay). But not all of the new visitors are welcome.

When the canoes return home to the shores of the misinipī river, the Rocky Cree begin to collapse one by one, drenched in sweat and slowly slipping into delirium. Kākakiw struggles to help the sick as more and more people pass into the spirit world. Exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually, he seeks guidance through prayer.

Hope finally comes with a visitor in the night: one of the Little People, small beings who are just like us. If Kākakiw can journey to their home, he will be given the medicine his people need. All he has to do is paddle through a cliff of solid bedrock to get there.

To save his people from certain death, Kākakiw must overcome doubt to follow the traditional teachings of the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak and trust in the gift of the Little People.

In this illustrated short story for all ages, celebrated Rocky Cree storyteller William Dumas shares a teaching about hope in the face of adversity. This book is a companion story to The Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak series.

Reviews
"A tale rich with warmth and wonder that not only documents traditions but carries them on." — David A. Robertson, author The Barren Grounds

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 11.

Reading Level: Lexile® Framework for Reading: 870L

This book is a companion story to The Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak series. This series is about the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak (Rocky Cree) of Northern Manitoba. Corresponding to the six seasons of sīkwan (spring), nīpin (summer), takwakin (fall), mikiskow (freeze-up), pipon (winter), and mithoskamin (break-up), the books explore the language, culture, knowledge, territory, and history of the 17th century Rocky Cree people through story and images. The groundbreaking series centres Indigenous ways of knowing and includes insights from a wide range of disciplines—cross-cultural education, history, archaeology, anthropology, linguistics, literature, oral culture and storytelling, experiential and community-based learning, and art.

Contains some Cree language/words, and a glossary of them.

Additional Information
48 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | Hardcover