Previous Years' Selections

A bilingual story in Inuktitut and English, Angutiup ânguanga / Anguti’s Amulet is a story based on an Inuit archaeological site located along the central coast of Labrador that was occupied sometime between AD 1720 and AD 1750.

Itjasualigijet KamajiKatlutik Prâvinsiup suliaKaffinganit – Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, ikajuttiKatlutik Prâvinsiup PitaKautinginnit Neofulâmi Labrador-imilu, pitsiaKujitlutik itjasuattuligijinik piulitsisiaKujitlutik Kinguvatta Kimiggujatsagimmait.

Archaeological fieldwork is conducted under the auspices of the Provincial Archaeology Office, Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, which, with the Provincial Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador, ensures that sites and collections are protected for future generations.

Educator Information
A bilingual story in Inuktitut and English.

Recommended Ages: 5-10.

Additional Information
38 pages | 9.00" x 8.00" | Written by The Central Coast of Labrador Community Archaeology Partnership, illustrated by Cynthia Colosimo, and Inuktitut translation by Sophie Tuglavina, an Inuk educator.

The story of Ajig the cougar, who is trapped between two worlds, A symbol of the assimilation of First Nations through enforced Western education systems.

The human need to belong is very powerful, so much so that we often sacrifice parts of who we are in order to be accepted. This is the tale of a young cougar, Ajig, who makes this sacrifice – and pays dearly. A curious and adventurous cougar, Ajig decides to build a new home in a strange forest. When he finds that all of the animals in the forest are afraid of him, Ajig agrees to stop behaving like a cougar so that he can make friends. But when Ajig tries to return to his birthplace, he learns that he is no longer welcome. Lost between two worlds, the young cougar becomes a “ghost cat.”

This beautifully illustrated book, written in both Mi’kmaw and English, reflects the experiences of First Nations peoples’ assimilation into the Euro-Canadian school system, but speaks to everyone who is marginalized or at risk.

Educator Information
This resource is also available in French and Mi'kmaw: Comment le Puma a fini par etre appele le Chat Fantome / Ta'n Petalu Telui'tut Skite'kmujew Mia'jw

Additional Information
32 pages | 8.00" x 10.00"

A gorgeous retrospective on the transformation of Inuit art in the 20th century, mirroring the vast and poignant cultural changes in the North.

In response to a rapidly changing Arctic environment, Inuit have had to cope with the transition from a traditional lifestyle to the disturbing realities of globalization and climate change. Inuit art in the latter half of the 20th century reflects the reciprocal stimulus of contact with Euro-Canadians and embodies the evolution of a modern Inuit aesthetic that springs from an ancient cultural context, creating an exciting new hybridized art form. Inuit Modern: Art from the Samuel and Esther Sarick Collection situates modern Inuit art within a larger framework that reinterprets the Canadian Arctic.

Essays by leading Canadian scholars in the field including Ingo Hessel, Robert McGhee, Christine Laloude, Heather Igloliorte, Dorothy Eber and Bernadette Driscoll Engelstad examine the social, political and cultural transformation through the dynamic lens of colonial influence and agency. Inuit Modern also features interviews with David Ruben Piqtoukun and Zacharias Kunuk.

Reviews
"The work of Inuit artists has continually evolved in response to the industrialized, bureaucratic culture encroaching from the south. Inuit Modern, an opulent new coffee-table book, displays the astonishing results. The 175 pieces beautifully reproduced here span the last century." — Georgia Straight

"This book is full of treasures from one of the world's most comprehensive collections of Inuit art. With more than 175 works by Inuit artists, the reader is taken on a journey of the Inuit aesthetic as it evolves from its from traditional roots to a more contemporary and globalized art form." — Globe & Mail Top 100 for 2010

Additional Information
256 pages | 10.00" x 11.10"

Thirteen-year-old Jak Loren is a typical boy with the usual problems a family with older sisters and younger brothers presents. Never mind the troubles at school - bullies and girls!

When Jak goes to the ravine near his home in Brantford to get away from Steven Burke, a bully who's been tormenting him, he discovers the ravine has a history that's much older than he thought. He meets Grandfather Rock, who shares with him the story of the people who have lived near the ravine for thousands of years. Soon Jak's eyes are opened to a new world of beings and respect.

He learns about First Nations people and how their teachings inhabit the spirits of all living things that surround us even today. The tales of the First Nations help Jak to understand that the gift of life is something to be cherished. And when a construction crew arrives in his neighbourhood and threatens his beloved ravine, Jak knows he has to act to save it.

Reviews
"Jak's Story explores the issues of bullying and the environment and integrates First Nations storytelling, wisdom and history. The chapters are short and captivating and Bell manages to minimize coming off as preachy. I read this book in one sitting." — Waterloo Record

"This is an excellent story to teach youth about First Nations beliefs and culture. It also reminds the reader of the importance of protecting the environment by setting limits to the amount of development of land. Aaron Bells honesty and respect for land and community shines through his writing in this first book." — Resource Links, February 2011

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 12-15

Additional Information
96 pages | 6.00" x 9.00"

Alego is a beautifully simple story, written in Inuktitut and English, about a young Inuit girl who goes to the shore with her grandmother to collect clams for supper. Along the way she discovers tide pools brimming with life -- a bright orange starfish, a creepy-crawly thing with many legs called an ugjunnaq, a hornshaped sea snail and a sculpin.

Written and illustrated by Ningeokuluk Teevee, one of the most interesting young artists in Cape Dorset, home to the great tradition of Inuit art, this is an enchanting and utterly authentic introduction to the life of an Inuit child and her world.

Educator Information
Alego includes an illustrated glossary of sea creatures as well as a map of Baffin Island. Ages 4-7.

This book is delivered in a dual-language format, written in Inuktitut and English.

Curriculum Connections: Social Studies, Science, Visual Arts.

Additional Information
24 pages | 7.63" x 9.63"

Michael O'Reilly is the shortest kid on the lacrosse team, and the youngest. He doesn't play rough, and everyone says he's not tough enough for the sport. When tension breaks out between teams and one team accuses the other of racist behavior, Michael realizes that he is tough after all -- he's the only one brave enough to speak the truth.

Reviews
"...lacrosse fans will enjoy the action, and those not familiar with the sport will benefit from the brief, appended description." — Todd Morning, Booklist, June 2010

Additional Information
144 pages | 5.00" x 7.75"

This sweet, simple story looks at a very special relationship. A young boy goes for a walk with his kohkom, or grandmother, listening, picking, praying, eating... just as she does. In doing so, he begins to learn the rich cultural traditions and values of his Cree heritage.

Caitlin Dale Nicholson’s acrylic-on-canvas illustrations portray the close relationship between the boy and his grandmother and the natural beauty of the bush. Her text has been translated into Cree by Leona Morin-Neilson, who was also the inspiration for the story and collaborated with her on this work.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended Ages: 4-7

Delivered in a dual-language format of Cree (y-dialect) and English. 

This book is part of the Nôhkom series.

Recommended for Grades K-1 for the following subject areas: English Language Arts, Indigenous Language Studies, Social Studies, Science and Nature, Visual Arts.

Authenticity Note: Leona Morin-Neilson (Métis-Cree) is a Cree teacher and the inspiration behind this book. She collaborated with the author to create this work. Leona Morin-Neilson teaches Cree at the “Power of Friendship” Aboriginial Headstart program in Prince George, British Columbia, and at the University of Northern British Columbia. She also teaches people in her community about traditional plants and how they can be used for medicinal purposes.

Because of the collaboration between Leona and the author, and Leona's Cree translation, this book has been labeled as containing Authentic Indigenous Text.  It is up to readers to determine if this work is authentic for their purposes.

Additional Information
24 pages | 8.50" x 12.25"

How the Petitcodiac River Became Muddy is a trilingual picture book that retells a Mi'kmaq legend.

This simple story details the Mi'kmaq explanation for an eclipse, why the lobster turns red when it is put in boiling water, and how the Petitcodiac River became muddy long ago. This legend draws on the original version by Michael Francis (1923-1995) of Elsipogtog, New Brunswick. Glooscap figures prominently in this remarkable story that is recommended for language programs.

Educator & Series Information
The French title is Comment la riviÞre Petitcodiac devint boueuse. The Mi'kmaq title is Ta'n Tel-kisi-siskuapua'qsepp Petikotiak Sipu. Allison Mitcham tells the English version. Serena Sock provides the Mi'kmaq translation, and Marguerite Maillet provides the French translation. The dynamic art illustrations are created by Raymond Martin.

This book is part of Collection Wabanaki.

Additional Information
22 pages | 8.00" x 8.00"

On a fresh spring day, young Yetsa, her mother and her grand-mother gather to prepare the sheep fleeces piled in Grandma's yard. As they clean, wash and dry the fleece, laughter and hard work connect the three generations. The reader joins this family in an old, but vibrant tradition: the creation of a Cowichan sweater.

Additional Information

Dog Salmon is the bully of the river and is taught how important it is to respect others. The story also integrates the natural salmon cycle.

Additional Information
18 Pages | 8.5" x 7" | Paperback | ISBN: 9780987967008

Matthew Eagletail can't wait until his on-line friend John Salton flies from San Francisco to Bragg Creek, Alberta for a summer visit. John is almost as big a basketball fan as Matt is, and dreams of being the first coach in the NBA to use a wheelchair.

When Matt's sister Jazz tells them about the upcoming Rocky Mountain Summer Basketball League in Calgary, they decide immediately to get a team together. Unfortunately, so does Matt's archrival, John Beal. Soon the Bobcats and the Mean Machine are fighting it out on the court, determined to win by any means necessary. It's too close to call, until Matt and John get some crucial advice from an unexpected source.

Free Throw is a basketball novel that smokes down court with hard-hitting action and suspense.