Junior School Indigenous Content Teacher Guide: Print resources

FNESC approved. Primary. I Know I Am Precious and Sacred follows a conversation between a child and loving grandfather as they talk about what the words “precious” and “sacred” mean. These culturally integral concepts are explained in simple, practical terms, so that little ones may recognize how they affect relationships in families and communities. This book is a “sequel” to I Was Born Precious and Sacred.

FNESC approved. Primary. I was Born Precious and Sacred recounts with simple language and poignant photographs the ancestral teachings about the sanctity of each and every child born into First Nations communities. The repeating reading pattern makes this good for read- aloud and for beginning readers.

Audience: Grades 3 to 4. FNESC approved. Neekna and Chemai are two little girls growing up in the Okanagan Valley before the coming of the white man. Through these two friends we learn about the seasonal life pattern of the Okanagan Indigenous people.

FNESC approved. Intermediate and up. When the Grand Coulee Dam was constructed, the community on the banks of the river was forced to move away from its ancestral land and the people lost their homes and many traditional practices. The story opens as the great-grandmother, Toopa, is about to leave her home, and she tells her great-granddaughter of their old ways of life that could not continue, such as salmon fishing, seasonal nomadic practices, and trading with other peoples. Features: intertwining real history with a fictionalized narrative, strong factual basis for the story cautions. Safety: Toopa waited until the last minute before leaving her home when the lake began to flood. Ethical/Legal: students may need some explanation about land settlements and compensation (Arrow Lakes tribe was not compensated for the loss of their lands until fifty years after the dam’s construction).

Audience: Primary. FNESC approved. Byron through the Seasons is a story told by Grandfather Jonas and imagined by his grandson, Byron. The balloon diagram in each picture represents the symbolic journey taken by Byron as he listens to stories of what Dene life is like during the four seasons of the year. This Dene-English story book was produced by the students and teachers of Ducharme Elementary School in La Loche, Saskatchewan, with assistance from local advisors and elders. Together, they wrote the story, translated it, and worked on the pictures. Their goal was to highlight some aspects of Dene culture that were vital in the past and are still important today.

Audience: grades 2 and up. FNESC approved. In just four days Shi-shi-etko will have to leave her family and all that she knows to attend residential school. She spends her last days at home treasuring the beauty of her world. This gentle story of a child on the verge of great loss was selected as the Aboriginal Children’s Book of the Year.

Audience: grades 2 and up. FNESC approved. This moving sequel to the award-winning Shi-shi-etko tells the story of two children's experience at residential school. Shi-shi-etko is about to return for her second year, but this time her six-year-old brother, Shin-chi, is going, too. As they begin their journey in the back of a cattle truck, Shi-shi-etko takes it upon herself to tell her little brother all the things he must remember  the trees, the mountains, the rivers and the tug of the salmon when he and his dad pull in the fishing nets. Shin-chi knows he won't see his family again until the sockeye salmon return in the summertime.

From the author of Shi-Shi-Etko is this beautiful book about the importance of elders, traditional knowledge and language. Gorgeous illustrations by Julie Flett enrich this wonderful book.

FNESC approved. Grades 3 to 4. When his grandfather is invited to participate in the school's Grandparents Day celebrations, Joey does not know what to expect. His grandfather gently reassures him before going on stage and launching into a beguiling tale of two groups of rabbits that must co-exist in the forest and share their resources to survive. The wisdom of the elder rabbits plays a pivotal role in the story which provides a valuable lesson for Joey and his classmates.

FNESC approved. Grades 2 to 5. Children of all ages will be able to relate to the main character in Jenneli’s Dance. Jenneli is the child who doesn’t seem to excel at anything, the child who feels as if she isn’t good at anything. She is often the victim of bullying and teasing. Jenneli is shy and feels different from the other children at school. Her hair and skin are darker, her eyes are an unusual colour, and the bannock in her lunch is different from the bread in the other students’ lunches. She is also certain that other students are not even aware of her favourite music: fiddle music. No wonder Jenneli deals with low self-esteem. Jenneli’s Dance is a story that illustrates the importance of recognizing and appreciating each other’s differences. It highlights the need to expose children to a broad range of skills, talents and cultural traditions to develop that appreciation of diversity.

Grades K to 2. Tch, tch, sh, sh, tup, tup. Spend the day picking wild blueberries with Clarence and his grandmother. Meet ant, spider, and fox in a beautiful woodland andscape, the ancestral home of author and illustrator Julie Flett. This book is written in both Enlglish and Cree, in particular the n-dialect, also known as Swampy Cree from the Cumberland House area.

Audience: primary. Author is Adrienne Gear's sister. Alison Gear has based this wonderfully engaging and thoughtful story on one version of the Haida Moon cycle. It follows Taan as she experiences the wonder of the unfolding seasons.

I am dreaming of animals of the Native Northwest shares rich, cultural art pictures and the poetic cadence will bring a calmness to every child's heart.

FNESC approved. Grades 3 to 5. A Walk on the Tundra follows Inuujaq, a little girl who travels with her grandmother onto the tundra. There, Inuujaq learns that these tough little plants are much more important to Inuit than she originally believed. Features: in addition to an informative storyline that teaches the importance of plants, this book includes a “field guide” with photos and scientific information about a wide array of Arctic plants; it also includes a glossary of Inuktitut words and phrases (with pronunciation guide), an online “book study” (Teacher’s Guide) is available.

FNESC approved. Primary. In this richly illustrated picture book, Elder Lena Jacobs shares a story from her childhood when her uncle shot and killed a pregnant mother seal.

Primary/Intermediate. Insulted because Coyote will not sing to her, Moon leaves the sky and returns only to get away from Coyote's singing.

FNESC approved. Primary. Allashua, the protagonist, is very mischievous and wanders away from home despite warnings from her parents about being taken by the Ijiraq, a little man who helps children hide but they are never found. One day Allashua gets lost and meets the Ijiraq. Luckily, she finds an inuksugaq (also called an inukshuk), to help her find her way home. This beautifully illustrated book shows students the relevance of traditional stories and figures.

FNESC approved. Grades K-3. Kwakwaka'wakw author Terri Mack and Tsimshian artist Bill Helin have collaborated to bring us this story of strength, friendship and celebration. The lyrical text and engaging illustrations will appeal to readers of all ages.

FNESC approved. Primary. In this gentle story, Tess learns from her grandmother that her “garden” is all of nature that surrounds her. As they pick plants and berries they do so carefully and with respect. Tess discovers that if she cares for the Earth it will provide for her just as
it provided for generations past. The text of this book is complemented by beautiful watercolor illustrations that encourage students to appreciate our natural world.

Audience: primary, possibly intermediate. FNESC approved. On a spring day, young Yetsa, her mother, and her grandmother gather to prepare the sheep fleeces piled in Grandma's yard. As they prepare the fleece, laughter and hard work connect the three generations. Through Yetsa's sensual experience of each task, the reader joins this family in an old and vibrant tradition: the creation of Cowichan sweaters. Each sweater design tells a story. In Yetsa's Sweater, that story is one of love, welcome, and pride in a job well done.

FNESC approved. Grades 3 to 4. oey is a happy Nuu-chah-nulth boy, eager to help and quick to see the bright side of things. But when he loses his beloved grandmother, the sun goes out in his world. Fortunately, she has left something of herself behind--a song, which keeps knocking on Joey's heart, and a dance, which urges him to get up on his feet and choose again.

FNESC approved. Grades 2 to 3. Loo Taas is the amazing 50-foot canoe designed by legendary artist Bill Reid and carved by members of the Haida community. Her name means “Wave Eater.” This picture book, told through the eyes of the designer’s daughter, tells the story of how the canoe came to be.

Primary. "When a young girl helps tend to her grandmother's garden, she begins to notice things that make her curious. Why does her grandmother have long, braided hair and beautifully colored clothing? Why does she speak another language and spend so much time with her family? As she asks her grandmother about these things, she is told about life in a residential school a long time ago, where all of these things were taken away. When We Were Alone is a story about a difficult time in history, and, ultimately, one of empowerment and strength."

FNESC approved. Primary. BUMP, BUMP - SLAP, river sockeye salmon are pulled onto shore! Set in the beautiful landscape of the Cariboo Chilcotin region, DIPNETTING WITH DAD is a delightful and colourful story of a father teaching his son the Secwepemc method of fishing known as dipnetting. Together they visit the sweat lodge, mend the nets, select the best fishing spot and catch and pack their fish through rugged bush back to the family home for traditional preparation.

FNSEC approved. Primary. This richly illustrated book offers readers an introduction to the symbolism and cultural context of various animals from the Northwest Coast.

FNESC approved. Primary. In a clear demonstration of cultural pride and family ties, Jenna tells her friends about the upcoming pow wow. Her friends are excited and want to attend the pow wow with her.

FNESC approved. Early primary. Each page in this beautifully illustrated board book completes the sentence stem, “My heart fills with happiness when…..”

Audience: primary/intermediate. FNESC approved. This picture book is a fictionalized version of a real incident in the childhood of Kwakwaka'wakw elder Alfred Scow. Alfred's family sailed from Gilford Island to isolated Kingcome Inlet to attend a forbidden potlatch. His parents forbade him to attend so he wouldn't be apprehended if they were raided by the authorities. Alfred sneaked inside to watch and recognized the Hamatsa. Beautifully written and incorporating fantastic, creative illustrations of Coast Salish designs, this book shows students the relevance of traditional practices.

FNESC approved. Primary. For as long as anyone can remember, Mohawk parents have taught their children to start each day by giving thanks to Mother Earth. Also known as the Thanksgiving Address, this good morning message is based on the belief that the natural world is a precious and rare gift. The whole universe - from the highest stars to the tiniest blade of grass - is addressed as one great family.

A young girl becomes lost in the woods after wandering too far away from her mother. Scared because she is lost, she encounters a large wolf who reminds her of her own ability to survive and find her mother again.

Audience: intermediate/middle. The Sweat Lodge teachings of the Anishinaabe are an important influence on the daily lives of the people. Full of symbolism, interconnected one with another, they are not as uncomplicated as they might seem. The Little Boy's Vision Quest is one of those teachings and it reveals how the Sweat Lodge was brought to the people.

FNESC approved. Grades 2 to 4. Follow the adventures of Chuck as he gets lost on his first trip to the big city. Chuck encounters stray dogs and alley cats, kids on skateboards and rollerblades, and tall office towers. After realizing he is lost, Chuck relies on what he has learned to find his way back to his kookum’s (grandmother’s) condo. Written to excite young readers and to leave a smile on their faces, the book features a rhythmic ebbing and flowing of words and phrases that punctuates Chuck’s exciting escapade.

FNESC approved. Grades 3 to 5. A young boy named Chuck goes for a simple walk that turns into a day of crazy adventure. Chuck encounters animals, fish, and birds that lead him on a wild journey through their various habitats.

Audience: primary/intermediate. FNESC approved. A young girl is questioned by her classmates why she is on their reserve when she doesn't look like the other kids (because she has blonde hair and blue eyes). This discourages the girl from participating in traditional activities. After talking with her Grandmother, she returns to participating in activities, and even befriends the kids who teased her.

Audience: Ages 7-10. FNESC approved graphic novel. Accompanying DVD available. In this tale there is an old man who keeps the sky, the stars, the moon, and the light of the world in a set of boxes. Raven tricks him into opening the boxes. Raven then steals the sun, and the world around him becomes instantly transformed by the light. Plants and animals awaken, and as Raven escapes through the hut's smoke hole, his feathers become blackened - and they remain so to this day.

Intermediate/Middle graphic novel. Looking for a little mischief after finding an old flare gun, Ron and Ben suddenly find themselves in trouble when the local gas bar on Agamiing Reserve goes up in flames, and they are wrongly accused of arson by the sheriff’s son. As the investigation goes forward, community attitudes are revealed, and the truth slowly comes to light.

FNESC approved. Grades 4 and up. Based on a true story, A Blanket of Butterflies is a graphic novel about the importance of cultural ties and the repatriation of significant cultural objects.
When Shinobu, a mysterious Japanese man, arrives in Fort Smith NWT to retrieve traditional objects of significance to his family, he encounters hostility and violence. As Shinobu pursues his perilous quest with the help of a local Dene boy, Sonny, and his family, remarkable events unfold and unexpected relationships emerge.

FNESC approved. Grades 6 and up. Moonshot is a collection of short stories created by Indigenous writers and artists in Canada and the US. From traditional stories to exciting new visions of the future, this collection presents some of the finest comic book and graphic novel work in North America. The traditional stories presented are with the permission from the Elders in their respective communities. Introductions to each story set a context and provide biographical information about each author and illustrator cautions. Belief Systems - stories include references to cannibalism. Other - some minor historical inaccuracies/anachronisms (e.g., portrayal of characters wearing headbands in “Home,”
“Ayantsach”)

FNESC approved. Grades 6 and up. This graphic novel, a compilation of four shorter graphic novels first published separately, follows one Plains Cree family from the early 19th century to the present day. Although some details may reinforce established stereotypical portrayals of First Nations peoples, the content for the most part aligns well with historical fact. Features: engaging and easy to read, the narrative line in this graphic novel is not always easy to follow (single discrete frames, juxtaposing material from differing time periods with some “jumps” between one and the next.) Cautions: Violence — accounts of residential schooling portray a priest hitting a child and allude to the sexual abuse of a child. Language — derogatory comments about First Peoples as savages. Safety — allusions to, or depictions of, suicide (via overdose, hanging), alcoholism, addiction, death of children due to accident, and death via smallpox are all part of this story

FNESC approved. Grades 6 and up. This graphic novel (available in selected Indigenous languages, as well as English) weaves together the stories of three young men who have committed crimes within their community. They are sent by its Elders to live nine months on the land as part of the circle sentencing process. Their time there is transformative, and they return home changed. Their experience, and changed relationships with the community members they have harmed, speak to the power and grace of restorative justice in First Nations communities.

Middle grades. An innovative graphic novel, Red is the epic tale of a Haida hero, his rage and his quest for retribution. Referencing a classic Haida oral narrative, this stunning full-colour graphic novel documents the powerful story of Red, a leader so blinded by revenge that he leads his community to the brink of war and destruction.

A young man's journey to find four fallen stars. After watching the stars falling to earth, he is whisked into the land of dreams where he is told that the discovery of each star will also reveal one of life's many secrets. A voyage that takes him across distant lands, into the realm of dreams, and back again. Ultimately the young man begins to understand the deeper purpose of why he was put on this path and what finding all the stars truly means. A story about the wondrous places your dreams can take you.

Twelve-year-old Violet Pesheens is taken away to Residential School in 1966. The diary recounts her experiences of travelling there, the first day, and first months, focusing on the everyday life she experiences--the school routine, battles with Cree girls, being quarantined over Christmas, getting home at Easter and reuniting with her family. When the time comes to gather at the train station for the trip back to the residential school, her mother looks her in the eye and asks, "Do you want to go back, or come with us to the trapline?" Violet knows the choice she must make.

FNESC approved. Middle years. Lawrence just has to make it through his final year of residential school and then he will never have to set foot in this horrible place again. But despite his best efforts to stay out of trouble, he finds himself in a few frightening predicaments. An escape attempt fails and a stolen gun misfires. Fortunately, his friendships and the tutelage of Sister Theresa help make his last school days bearable. When he returns home, Lawrence is not yet a man but no longer a boy. He struggles to find acceptance in a community that seems to have forgotten him. He tries a few different jobs and makes a name for himself as a hard worker. With increased confidence and the money he has saved up, he leaves Slave Lake to fulfill his dream of living in the mountains. Goodbye Buffalo Bay is based on the author’s life at a residential school. Features: includes glossary of Cree words; epilogue with historical notes about residential schools; website link to photos. Cautions: Violence — boys playing with imaginary guns in chapter 1; children mistreated by nuns and priests at the school including one incident in chapter 10 when a nun beats a child’s head into the floor and in chapter 12 when Father Superior hits a boy who runs away from school; Lawrence is attacked by a girl in chapter 21 and has scratches all over his face. Ethical/Legal — mentions of cigarette smoking. Safety — children ride in a grain truck to the residential school, Lawrence steals a gun from the priest’s bedroom in chapter 7, family is trapped at home during a forest fire, James breaks his leg while working at a mill.

FNESC approved. Middle grades. Set against the backdrop of the confusing events surrounding the English colonization of British Columbia, and an 1863 naval assault on Kuper Island, Counting on Hope tells the story of two girls whose lives are profoundly changed when their two cultures collide.

FNESC approved. Grades 5 to 7. Seepeetza is renamed Martha Stone when she is enrolled in residential school. At the school, Seepeetza finds strict and unhappy nuns, arbitrary and unfair rules, and a denial of everything being First Peoples means to her. Told in diary format, this easy-to-read novel is based on the author’s own experiences at the Kamloops residential school.

FNESC approved. Grade 6 and up. At Christmas time in Northern Saskatchewan, three Cree kids visit their Moshum’s (grandfather’s) cabin to learn about traditional ways and experience a life-changing adventure. The kids, who have never lived in the bush, visit their Moshum’s cabin to prepare for Christmas. But food is scarce this year, and Moshum is afraid Christmas may have to be cancelled. The kids decide to help by going hunting, but they don’t understand how unprepared they are or what danger they’re in. They get lost, forcing Moshum to come after them. But when they find him collapsed in the bush, it is the children who have to bring Moshum safely home. The experience helps them to grow in skill and understanding and to become more mature. They learn that they can benefit from two kinds of knowledge — traditional learning through their elders and the things they learn in school.
This message-laden novel provides a portrait of urban Cree children who learn about the culture and way of life of their elders. Features: a corresponding Teacher Resource is available online at www.coteaubooks.com/book_uploads/teacher_resources/ resource_35.pdf

FNESC approved. Grades 2 and 3. A young boy is having trouble sleeping at night. He is being called to fulfill his destiny, a destiny which lives on today in the traditions and culture of the Dene people and their relationship to the caribou and the land on which they live. The Legend of the Caribou Boy is a beautifully illustrated picture book retelling a traditional Dogrib story. Features: text is printed in both Dogrib and English; an accompanying CD-ROM contains audio narration of the story in both Dogrib and English

FNESC approved. Primary. A Salish Coyote story, Beaver Steals Fire recounts how the animals worked together to obtain fire and help prepare the world for habitation by humans. Beaver Steals Fire is an ancient and powerful tale springing from the hearts and experiences of the Salish people of Montana. Steeped in the rich and culturally vital storytelling tradition of the tribe, this beautifully illustrated tale teaches both respect for fire and awareness of its significance, themes particularly relevant today. Features: a note to the reader at the beginning asks those who use Beaver Steals Fire in the classroom or others who read it aloud to tell or discuss the story only in winter, when snow is on the ground, as this is a strongly ingrained part of tribal seasonal tradition. It includes a Brief Guide to Written Salish and the International Phonetic Alphabet.

Ages 7-9. FNESC approved. Little Duck wants to be a Plains Cree dancer, and decides to dress up like one and walks into the Cree camp. When he sees he does not fit in, the lonely duck returns to his pond and finds acceptance from the other ducks. He becomes content with who he is and his life as a duck. The Little Duck is a universal story that transcends cultural boundaries and leaves one with a lesson about the importance of self-worth.

FNESC approved. Grades 3 to 5. Relatives with Roots: A Story about Métis Women’s Connection to the Land is a touching story about a Métis grandmother who takes her granddaughter out onto the land to teach her how to harvest traditional medicines. As the granddaughter learns the traditional knowledge about how the Métis people use the plants, she feels joy to be Métis. Features: includes a concurrent translation into Michif-Cree and an accompanying audio CD that provides both English and Michif narration of the text; includes a glossary of terms and background information for teachers about the traditional Métis learning philosophy and the Anishnaabeg Order of Creation.

FNESC approved. Grades 1 to 3. This charming story, richly steeped in Métis culture, focuses on the boyhood reminisces of Moushoom as he describes finding the “great giving tree” with his mother and father. This vibrantly illustrated children’s book is a beautiful retelling of a traditional Métis story. Features: the book is written in both English and Michif (the Métis language), and includes an audio CD that allows users to hear the story in both languages; includes a “Métis Values Wheel” and written descriptions of Métis values.

Middle School. While everyone is busy preparing for the coming winter, two girls wander away from their camp, following a path of strange, beautiful stones. Each stone is lovelier than the last, and the trail leads them farther and farther away from camp. But what starts out as a peaceful afternoon on the tundra quickly turns dangerous when the girls find themselves trapped in the cave of Mangittatuarjuk--the Gnawer of Rocks! Based on a traditional Inuit story, this graphic novel introduces readers to a dark and twisted creature that haunts the Arctic landscape and preys on unsuspecting children...

FNESC approved. Grades 2 to 5. Fox is howling, for he lost his leg to Bear. All the people want to help Fox, but don’t know what to do. Raven is called upon to help retrieve his leg. Will Raven succeed in the quest for Fox’s leg? How the Fox Got His Crossed Legs is a beautifully illustrated picture book retelling a traditional Dogrib story. Features: text is printed in both Dogrib and English; includes a Dogrib orthography and pronunciation chart; an accompanying CD-ROM contains audio narration of the story in both Dogrib and English.

FNESC approved. Grades 2 to 5. The people are sad and hungry, for the caribou have disappeared. Yet Raven seems happy and well fed. Only with the help of wolf and fox are people able to solve the mystery, outwit Raven, and find the caribou once more. How Fox Saved the People is a beautifully illustrated picture book retelling a traditional Dogrib story.

Audience: Grade 3-5. FNESC approved. This compelling book recounts how the enormous and awe-inspiring Thunderbird aided and protected the members of the Sechelt villages for many years in many ways. From helping Chief Spelmu’lh, the father of the Sechelt Nation, build both the first longhouse and the many villages of
his people, to delivering goats and grizzly bears for the hungry people to eat and creating islands from pebbles for the tired Sechelt hunters to rest, the story of Ch’askin is a story of protection, friendship and respect for fellow living beings.

Audience: grades 3/4. FNESC approved. Simple and compelling First Nations drawings illustrate this dynamic story that teaches respect for the environment and describes the life cycle of the salmon.

Grades 2 to 5. From the author of The Inconvenient Indian, these funny and engaging myths are perfect for any classroom.

FNESC approved. Grades 1-2. Dog salmon is the bully of the river. The other salmon need to work together to teach him the importance of empathy and change.

FNESC approved. Grades 2 to 4. This story from the Sechelt Nations oral traditions tells of three brave hunters and their encounter with a cunning grizzly bear.

FNESC approved. Grades 5 and up. A young bison growing up on the plains in the late 1800s faces peril at the hands of soldiers, who are destroying the great buffalo herds as a way to control First Nations. He is befriended by a First Nations warrior and a European hunter who try to save him and his herd from annihilation.
This book introduces readers to an era in Canadian history through a unique perspective. In eight easy-to-read chapters, the devastation of the buffalo is portrayed in a simple, straightforward manner. Cyclical aspects of life are evident even in the black-and-white illustrations where a circle is incorporated into almost every delicately drawn depiction.

FNESC approved. Intermediate and up. Spectacular imagery (a blend of the traditional and the modern) adorns this rich anthology of Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations traditional stories. These stories link people to the land and to each other and pass on traditional knowledge and history. These sacred teachings — which range from creation stories to naming stories — are collected in an anthology of stories willingly shared by the respected storytellers of each nation.
The book is a unique commemorative collection that celebrates the four host First Nations on whose ancestral territories the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were held.

FNESC approved. Grades K-1. Raven learns a powerful lesson from his friend, Eagle. Learn and understand from others, but most importantly, be yourself!

Audience: middle grades. A timeless collection of Haida myths told by Bill Reid and Robert Bringhurst with drawings by Bill Reid.

Audience: K-5. FNESC approved. A full colour story book that teaches respect for others. The paintings were done by Joe Silvey (Salish). The book deals with name calling, initially showing the main character, Little Bear, as selfish and inconsiderate of others feelings. The book is a modern First Nations legend applying the traditional method of using stories as a teaching tool. Little Bear learns to value the traditions of his ancestors and through the daily ritual of cleansing himself becomes in tune with nature. The book can be used by teachers, parents and other caring adults to teach children the value of respect. Discussion questions are included.

Audience: primary/intermediate. Tells the ancient story of how a Gitxsan hunter who was carried into the clouds by swans and created the sacred headwaters of the largest salmon-bearing rivers in British Columbia.

FNESC approved. All ages. One in a series of coastal stories by Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd, this traditional story features gorgeous original illustrations. An audio recording of Roy Henry Vickers narrating this story is also available online at www.memoriestomemoirs.ca/Orca (site includes a bonus story as well)

FNESC approved. All ages. In a time when darkness covered the land, a boy named Weget is born who is destined to bring the light. With the gift of a raven's skin that allows him to fly as well as transform, Weget turns into a bird and journeys from Haida Gwaii into the sky. There he finds the Chief of the Heavens who keeps the light in a box. By transforming himself into a pine needle, clever Weget tricks the Chief and escapes with the daylight back down to Earth.

Audience: grades 4/5. In this blend of original and traditional Salish stories, the characters pass through many magical experiences and adventures. With each story the reader travels on a journey through both nature and the supernatural, and at the end, discovers one of life's lessons, just as they are revealed to Salish children by their traditional storytellers.

Audience: primary. FNESC approved. This book tells the traditional story of how “Raven stole the sun,” a story common in various forms to many Northwest Coast First Peoples cultures. It includes background information about the Raven trickster character and the Tlingit people, and a Tlingit glossary.

Audience: primary and up. FNESC approved. How the hummingbird doesn't give up trying to save her environment despite her small size.

FNESC approved. Primary. B is for Basketball is a narrative told in the form of an alphabet book. This is the official book of the 2011 All Native Basketball Tournament. These games have been held in Prince Rupert, British Columbia for over 50 years. Since its inception, the Tournament has become an important cultural gathering.

All grades. A playful introduction to the Anishinaabe tradition of totem animals.

Intermediate/middle. FNESC approved. No Time to Say Goodbye is a fictional account of five children sent to aboriginal boarding school, based on the recollections of a number of Tsartlip First Nations people. These unforgettable children are taken by government agents from Tsartlip Day School to live at Kuper Island Residential School. The five are isolated on the small island and life becomes regimented by the strict school routine. They experience the pain of homesickness and confusion while trying to adjust to a world completely different from their own. Their lives are no longer organized by fishing, hunting and family, but by bells, line-ups and chores. In spite of the harsh realities of the residential school, the children find adventure in escape, challenge in competition, and camaraderie with their fellow students. Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, always engrossing, No Time to Say Goodbye is a story that readers of all ages won't soon forget.

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

Primary/Intermediate. In this Coast Salish story, learn about the importance of the cedar tree to the culture and history of the Coast Salish people. Descriptions of items made from the wood and bark of this special tree are included. Also explained in the story is the protocol for harvesting cedar bark.

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.

All ages. Sila and the Land is the story of a young Inuk girl who goes on a journey across the North, East, South and West. Along the way Sila meets different animals, plants and elements that teach her about the importance of the land and her responsibilities to protect it for future generations.

Primary/intermediate. Through the seasons, the stars move across the night sky. One set of stars tells the story of seven hunters chasing a big bear. Follow the stars through each season to discover the story. This Kanyen'keha:ka story is about not giving up on your goals.

Intermediate. A long time ago, the world that we know was just water and there was no land! Then, a curious woman feel from the sky world above and with the help of the birds and animals created a place to live again. This Kanyen'keha:ka story is about the origin of the land where we live today. The Kanyen'keha:ka is one of six nations that together are the Haudenosaunee.

All ages. In this beautifully illustrated chapter book, Bill Helin tells the story of how Raven freed the sun, moon and stars. The Chief of Darkness had thought he was clever to keep them all hidden away. Discover how Raven shows how clever he can be as he transforms himself to return daylight to the world.

Primary. One spring day the forest animals gathered with Mother Bear to meet her two new cubs. As they emerged from the den, Raven gifted a sacred white feather (a symbol of peace and harmony) to one of them. This beautifully illustrated story of a little spirit bear is written in lyrical text and will appeal to readers of all ages.

FNESC approved. Primary. This picture book tells the story of Jody, who attends an urban multi-ethnic school. When his classmates ask him about his moccasins, it gives Jody the opportunity to talk about his family and culture.

Ages 6 to 8. It is the day of the first salmon ceremony, and P'ésk'a is excited to celebrate. His community, the Sts'ailes people, give thanks to the river and the salmon it brings by commemorating the first salmon of the season. Framed as an exploration of what life was like one thousand years ago, P'ésk'a and the First Salmon Ceremony describes the customs of the Sts'ailes people, an indigenous group who have lived on the Harrison River in British Columbia for the last 10,000 years. Includes an introductory letter from Chief William Charlie, an illustrated afterword and a glossary.

Primary and up. Piujuq is a kind young woman who loves to take long walks on the tundra and dance by her favourite lake surrounded by butterflies. But one day, she encounters a stranger on her walk. When this person asks a favour of Piujuq, she happily obliges, and that kindness leaves Piujuq stuck in the body of a caterpillar. Alone, and thinking that no one could ever love her because of how she looks, Piujuq does not return to her camp. Instead, she lives a lonely life on the tundra. Until one day when another stranger appears . . . Based on traditional Inuit story, this tale of inner beauty, kindness, and magic is a perfect addition to any young reader's bookshelf.

FNESC approved. Grades 3 to 4. Trickster Coyote is having his friends over for a festive solstice get-together in the woods when a little girl comes by unexpectedly. She leads the party-goers through the snowy woods to a shopping mall – a place they have never seen before. Coyote gleefully shops with abandon, only to discover that filling your shopping cart with goodies, and the experience of the bright lights of the mall is not as fulfilling as he thought it might be.

FNESC approved. Intermediate. After helping his Mishoomis (Grandfather) save an orphaned Appaloosa colt from a bog, Jason takes a special interest in caring for it. At school, the bullies make fun of his affection for the funny-looking colt he hopes to race one day. With support from his Grandparents, Jason raises and trains the colt. On the day of the big race, Jason and the colt are ready. The teasing only makes Jason more determined than ever to win. Includes an Ojibway glossary.

Audience: Middle School and up. FNESC approved. Budding cartoonist Junior leaves his troubled school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white farm town school where the only other Native American is the school mascot.

Canada Reads Selection. Teen. In a future world ravaged by global warming, people have lost the ability to dream, and the dreamlessness has led to widespread madness. The only people still able to dream are North America's indigenous population - and it is their marrow that holds the cure for the rest of the world. But getting the marrow - and dreams - means death for the unwilling donors. Driven to flight, a 15-year-old and his companions struggle for survival, attempt to reunite with loved ones, and take refuge from the "recruiters" who seek them out to bring them to the marrow-stealing 'factories.

Middle School. Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time is an anthology of science fiction and urban fantasy stories starring First Nations and Metis characters with a LGBT and two-spirit theme.

Primary. A picture book with lyrical text that describes the gifts given to a newborn baby by all the animals of the Arctic.

The story of the beautiful relationship between a little girl and her grandfather. When she asks her grandfather how to say something in his language - Cree - he admits that his language was stolen from him when he was a boy. The little girl then sets out to help her grandfather find his language again. This sensitive and warmly illustrated picture book explores the intergenerational impact of the residential school system that separated young Indigenous children from their families. The story recognizes the pain of those whose culture and language were taken from them, how that pain is passed down, and how healing can also be shared.

Audience: Intermediate/Middle. First Nation Communities Read approved. A last summer before residential school.

Audience: intermediate/teachers. Introduces the origins, culture, and folklore of the Salish Indians of the Pacific Northwest.

Audience: middle. 2015-16 First Nation Communities Read Award finalist. Anthology of art and writings from some of the most groundbreaking Native artists working in North America today. Emerging and established Native artists, including acclaimed author Joseph Boyden, renowned visual artist Bunky Echo Hawk, and stand-up comedian Ryan McMahon, contribute thoughtful and heartfelt pieces on their experiences growing up Indigenous, expressing them through such mediums as art, food, the written word, sport, dance, and fashion. Whether addressing the effects of residential schools, calling out bullies through personal manifestos, or simply citing hopes for the future, Dreaming In Indian refuses to shy away from difficult topics.

Audience: Grades 3-6. Offers a brief overview of the history of the Haida people of Canada, describing their beliefs, traditions, art, celebrations, and way of life.

Primary. A traditional non-fiction look at Haida culture, past and present.

FNESC approved. This colouring book features beautiful line drawings for children to colour as they learn each animal’s name. Each page includes a quotation from individuals representing a wide range of Canadian First Nations, telling the significance of the animal to the traditional culture. Note that these quotations are of a much higher reading level and will have to be read aloud to primary students.

Grade 5 and up. Canada's residential school system for aboriginal young people is now recognized as a grievous historic wrong committed against First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples. This book documents this subject in a format that will give all young people access to this painful part of Canadian history.

FNESC approved. Pre-K alphabet book.

FNESC approved. Pre-K counting book.

Middle school. Spirit faces presents an outstanding collection of 75 masks, all in vivid colour, by 23 First Nations artists.

Intermediate and up. Helps readers understand what they are seeing when they look at PNW Coastal Aboriginal art.

Primary. A non-fiction introduction to totem poles.

Middle years. Spirit Transformed tells the amazing story of a majestic cedar's journey from the forest to totem, as well as Vickers' own conquering of personal difficulties and the marvelous way he has combined modern technology with the art of carving.

Ages 7 to 9. An introduction to Salish culture past and present for young readers.

Ages 8-11. This volume written by Christine Webster describes the cultural history of the Coast and Interior Salish, the people who live in the southern part of British Columbia.

Intermediate. In "We Feel Good Out Here," Julie-Ann shares her family's story and the story of her land-"Khaii luk," the place of winter fish. As Julie-Ann says, "The land has a story to tell, if you know how to listen. When I travel, the land tells me where my ancestors have been. It tells me where the animals have come and gone, and it tells me what the weather may be like tomorrow."

FNESC approved. Grade 7 and up. Young, urban Natives of North America share their diverse stories in this anthology, shattering stereotypes and powerfully illustrating how Native culture and values can survive--and enrich--city life.

In this Coast Salish story, step-by-step instructions for gathering wood and catching, filleting and then smoking fish are given.

From the Mountains to the Sea: We Live Here is a Kindergarten resource which covers all of your Aboriginal Learning Standards in both science and social studies within the new BC curriculum.

From the Mountains to the Sea: We Share the Seasons is a Grade 1 resource which covers all of your Aboriginal Learning Standards in both science and social studies within the new BC curriculum.

From the Mountains to the Sea: We Are a Community is a Grade 2 resource which covers all of your Aboriginal Learning Standards in both science and social studies within the new BC curriculum.

Chiwid was a Tsilhqot'in woman, said to have shamanistic powers, who spent most of her adult life "living out" in the hills and forests around Williams Lake, BC. Chiwid is the story of this remarkable woman told in the vibrant voices of Chilcotin oldtimers, both native and non-native. Could be used with grades 6 and 7.

Intermediate and up. This is the perfect book for those with an attraction to Pacific West Coast Cowichan sweater designs. Patterns for stylish and modern accessories and sweaters knitted in the Coast Salish style are written clearly for all but the most inexperienced of knitters. Essays about Salish knitting weave through the book and offer lovely glimpses into the tradition of family, design and community of the north west coast Salish knitters.

FNESC approved. Grade 7 and up. Diane "Honey" Jacobson's latest book is an important comment about First Nations efforts to save the salmon and her personal youthful journey to find meaning and a sense of place in life. Like the style in her first book My Life in a Kwagu'l Big House, Diane's style in My Life with the Salmon is full of action, amazing adventures and fascinating connections between land, water and people. In My Life with the Salmon, we follow "Honey" through sometimes hilarious and sometimes difficult periods but we always learn a life lesson.

FNESC approved. Grades 5 and up. This gorgeous and authentic book is a genuine collaboration among members of First Nations communities that live in the Fraser River watershed. Created with aim of “revitalizing ancient voices written in the land and river,” it presents memories and stories that represent the diverse cultures and that share a common focus on the river. As well, the anthology integrates archival photos, contemporary photos, and photos of First Nations art objects and artifacts.

FNESC approved. Grades 6 and up. Diane Jacobson has written a readable and engaging autobiographical account of growing up in Alert Bay during the 1960s, in a home that retained many of the features and qualities of a traditional Kwakwaka’wakw Big House. Her account provides insight into an experience of childhood that by that time had become increasingly rare due to the imposition of residential schooling.
Features: easy to read: language is colloquial and somewhat salty at times (e.g., references to “ass”), but the story is infused with humor and warmth; a small collection of personal photographs at the back provide a visual reference point for events narrated in the account.

FNESC approved. Grades 6 and up. Dealing with the difficult subject of residential schooling, this graphic novel does an excellent job of representing the experience. The outcome for Betty, the survivor, is contrasted with the outcome for her friend Flora, who is drowned attempting to leave the school. References to the physical and sexual abuse of children and to the racist attitudes that informed much of residential school practice may need to be discussed with students.

FNESC approved. Intermediate and up. Spectacular imagery (a blend of the traditional and the modern) adorns this rich anthology of Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations traditional stories. These stories link people to the land and to each other and pass on traditional knowledge and history. These sacred teachings — which range from creation stories to naming stories — are collected in an anthology of stories willingly shared by the respected storytellers of each nation.
The book is a unique commemorative collection that celebrates the four host First Nations on whose ancestral territories the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were held.

FNSEC approved. Primary. This richly illustrated book offers readers an introduction to the symbolism and cultural context of various animals from the Northwest Coast.

FNESC approved. Grades 2 to 3. Loo Taas is the amazing 50-foot canoe designed by legendary artist Bill Reid and carved by members of the Haida community. Her name means “Wave Eater.” This picture book, told through the eyes of the designer’s daughter, tells the story of how the canoe came to be.

FNESC approved. Grades 4 and up. Based on a true story, A Blanket of Butterflies is a graphic novel about the importance of cultural ties and the repatriation of significant cultural objects.
When Shinobu, a mysterious Japanese man, arrives in Fort Smith NWT to retrieve traditional objects of significance to his family, he encounters hostility and violence. As Shinobu pursues his perilous quest with the help of a local Dene boy, Sonny, and his family, remarkable events unfold and unexpected relationships emerge.

"Unceded Territories is a major and timely review of the work of Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, spanning thirty years of his painterly and polemical practice. It places the artist's concerns in dialogue with this moment in our shared histories. An artist of Cowichan and Okanagan descent, Yuxweluptun lives and works on unceded Coast Salish territories in Vancouver, British Columbia. He calls himself a history painter, a monumentalist, a modernist. Impassioned in his commitment to advance First Nations rights to the land and effect change, Yuxweluptun fuses art with political action--he "paints freedom and equality". This retrospective includes brilliant commentary from Michael Turner, Lucy Lippard, Marcia Crosby, Glenn Alteen, a short-story by Jimmie Durham. In an extensive dialogue, curators Karen Duffek and Tania Willard discuss the meaning of Yuxweluptun's practice and place it in the context of the First Nations struggle for autonomy, justice, and environmental preservation. In a searing and powerful artist's statement, Yuxweluptun himself explains the essence of his painting and the forces that drive his artistic and political life. Published to accompany the exhibition at the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology this volume includes 65 of Yuxweluptun's paintings from the last three decades and will be a lasting document of his art and activism."

Intermediate/Middle. A picture book based on a true story about a young First Nations girl who was sent to a residential school. When eight-year-old Irene is removed from her First Nations family to live in a residential school she is confused, frightened, and terribly homesick. She tries to remember who she is and where she came from despite the efforts of the nuns to force her to do otherwise. Based on the life of Jenny Kay Dupuis' own grandmother, I Am Not a Number brings a terrible part of Canada's history to light in a way that children can learn from and relate to.

Primary/Intermediate. In this Coast Salish story, learn about the importance of the cedar tree to the culture and history of the Coast Salish people. Descriptions of items made from the wood and bark of this special tree are included. Also explained in the story is the protocol for harvesting cedar bark.

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

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.

Primary/intermediate. Through the seasons, the stars move across the night sky. One set of stars tells the story of seven hunters chasing a big bear. Follow the stars through each season to discover the story. This Kanyen'keha:ka story is about not giving up on your goals.

Intermediate and up. Provides facts about the grizzly, black, and spirit bears of the Great Bear Rainforest on British Columbia's central coast, and examines their relationship with the salmon population.

Intermediate. A long time ago, the world that we know was just water and there was no land! Then, a curious woman feel from the sky world above and with the help of the birds and animals created a place to live again. This Kanyen'keha:ka story is about the origin of the land where we live today. The Kanyen'keha:ka is one of six nations that together are the Haudenosaunee.

The Kanyen'keha:ka people each belong to a clan. A clan is like a large family. there are nine clans, each one named after an animal or bird. This Kanyen'keha:ka story is about connecting and belonging to your family and the world around us. The Kanyen'keha:ka is one of Six Nations that together are the Haudenosaunee.

Primary. Bill Helin's lyrical text and engaging illustrations will delight readers of all ages with this story about the origin of the salmon and its food chain and life cycle.

In 2012, Bell Helin travelled to Hong Kong to work with a school to carve two totem poles. One pole is about Chinese culture and the other reflects his Tlingit culture. This book describes the poles and the process of carving them over a period of three months.

Primary/intermediate. Bill Helin is a Tlingit artist, carver and storyteller. In this book, he describes the step-by-step process of making his first cedar dugout canoe. From searching for the right treeing the forest to paddling the finished canoe for the first time, each step is clearly described and illustrated.

Primary/intermediate. In this book, Bill Helin explains the importance of songs and drumming to the culture and history of the Tlingit people. He also describes the process that he went through to make his first drum. An illustrated series of directions and a supply list will give the reader a clear understanding of the drum maker’s craft.

All ages. In this beautifully illustrated chapter book, Bill Helin tells the story of how Raven freed the sun, moon and stars. The Chief of Darkness had thought he was clever to keep them all hidden away. Discover how Raven shows how clever he can be as he transforms himself to return daylight to the world.

Primary. One spring day the forest animals gathered with Mother Bear to meet her two new cubs. As they emerged from the den, Raven gifted a sacred white feather (a symbol of peace and harmony) to one of them. This beautifully illustrated story of a little spirit bear is written in lyrical text and will appeal to readers of all ages.

Middle School/Professional. From the mighty cedar of the rainforest came a wealth of raw materials vital to the early Northwest Coast Indian way of life, its art and culture. For thousands of years these people developed the tools and technologies to fell the giant cedars that grew in profusion. They used the rot-resistant wood for graceful dugout canoes to travel the coastal waters, massive post-and-beam houses in which to live, steambent boxes for storage, monumental carved poles to declare their lineage and dramatic dance masks to evoke the spirit world. Every part of the cedar had a use. The versatile inner bark they wove into intricately patterned mats and baskets, plied into rope and processed to make the soft, warm, yet water-repellent clothing so well suited to the raincoast. Tough but flexible withes made lashing and heavy-duty rope. The roots they wove into watertight baskets embellished with strong designs. For all these gifts, the Northwest Coast peoples held the cedar and its spirit in high regard, believing deeply in its healing and spiritual powers. Respectfully, they addressed the cedar as Long Life Maker, Life Giver and Healing Woman. Anecdotes, oral history and the accounts of early explorers, traders and missionaries highlight the text. Her 550 drawings and a selection of 50 photographs depict how the people made and used the finished products of the incomparable tree of life to the Northwest Coast Indians—the cedar.

Grades 2 to 5. From the author of The Inconvenient Indian, these funny and engaging myths are perfect for any classroom.

This nonfiction book examines how we can foster reconciliation with Indigenous people at individual, family, community and national levels.

BC Book Prize winner. In this carefully curated selection of everyday reflections, Richard Wagamese finds lessons in both the mundane and sublime as he muses on the universe, drawing inspiration from working in the bush--sawing and cutting and stacking wood for winter as well as the smudge ceremony to bring him closer to the Creator. Embers is perhaps Richard Wagamese's most personal volume to date. Honest, evocative and articulate, he explores the various manifestations of grief, joy, recovery, beauty, gratitude, physicality and spirituality--concepts many find hard to express. But for Wagamese, spirituality is multifaceted. Within these pages, readers will find hard-won and concrete wisdom on how to feel the joy in the everyday things. Wagamese does not seek to be a teacher or guru, but these observations made along his own journey to become, as he says, "a spiritual bad-ass," make inspiring reading.

Middle. Whether looking back to a troubled past or welcoming a hopeful future, the powerful voices of Indigenous women across North America resound in this book. In the same style as the best-selling Dreaming in Indian, #Not Your Princess presents an eclectic collection of poems, essays, interviews, and art that combine to express the experience of being a Native woman. Stories of abuse, humiliation, and stereotyping are countered by the voices of passionate women making themselves heard and demanding change. Sometimes angry, often reflective, but always strong, the women in this book will give teen readers insight into the lives of women who, for so long, have been virtually invisible.

ECE/Primary. 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.

Grades 2 to 6. Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada’s Information Book Award Shortlist 2018. To the Gitxsan people of Northwestern British Columbia, the sockeye salmon is more than just a source of food. Over its life cycle, it nourishes the very land and forests that the Skeena River runs through and where the Gitxsan make their home. The Sockeye Mother explores how the animals, water, soil, and seasons are all intertwined.

Audience: intermediate/teachers. Introduces the origins, culture, and folklore of the Salish Indians of the Pacific Northwest.

Audience: professional. Explores the history of the first peoples from a native perspective, through alphabetical entries on events, issues, contemporary and historical art, mythology, gender roles, economics, contact between Indians and Europeans, political sovereignty and self-determination, land and environment.

Audience: professional. Overview of the diverse and complex lives of First Nations people with subjects including veterans, youth, urbanization, child welfare, appropriate questions to ask a First Nations person, feminism, the medicine wheel, Two-spirit (LGBTQ), residential schools, the land bridge theory, and language preservation. Author Lynda Gray endeavours to leave readers with a better understanding of the shared history of First Nations and non-First Nations people, and ultimately calls upon all of us - individuals, communities, and governments - to play active roles in bringing about true reconciliation between First Nations and non-First Nations people.

Audience: professional. Behind Closed Doors features written testimonials from thirty-two individuals who attended the Kamloops Indian Residential School. The school was one of many infamous residential schools that operated from 1893 to 1979. The storytellers remember and share with us their stolen time at the school; many stories are told through courageous tears.

Audience: professional. FNESC approved. Night is more than just a period of time between sunset and sunrise. It is another world, fascinating and mysterious to children curious about the night and its nocturnal inhabitants. This book combines Indigenous stories with hands-on activities to encourage children to explore the night world. By studying astronomy, First Peoples’ beliefs, nighttime weather, and North American nocturnal plants and animals, children learn to appreciate the importance of night in the natural cycle and overcome common fears about the nighttime world.

FNESC approved. The Native Stories from Keepers of the Earth is a collection of stories drawn from the oral tradition of Indian groups in the United States and Canada. Tribes include Inuit, Micmac, Maliseet, Mohawk, Zuni, and Hopi. A common thread through these stories is a view of the world as family--earth as our mother, sun as our father, and the animals as our brothers and sisters. The stories foster an ethic of stewardship by clearly showing that we are entrusted with the responsibility to maintain the natural balance, to take care of our mother, to be keepers of the earth. Each story is beautifully illustrated by Mokawk artist John Kahionhes Fadden. Included is a glossary of words from native languages and a description of the tribal nations. These twenty-four stories from the bestselling Keepers of the Earth will appeal to readers of all ages.

From the Mountains to the Sea: We Live Here is a Kindergarten resource which covers all of your Aboriginal Learning Standards in both science and social studies within the new BC curriculum.

From the Mountains to the Sea: We Share the Seasons is a Grade 1 resource which covers all of your Aboriginal Learning Standards in both science and social studies within the new BC curriculum.

From the Mountains to the Sea: We Are a Community is a Grade 2 resource which covers all of your Aboriginal Learning Standards in both science and social studies within the new BC curriculum.

Chiwid was a Tsilhqot'in woman, said to have shamanistic powers, who spent most of her adult life "living out" in the hills and forests around Williams Lake, BC. Chiwid is the story of this remarkable woman told in the vibrant voices of Chilcotin oldtimers, both native and non-native.

This book provides the first comprehensive study of how these frameworks can be effectively implemented to maximize Indigenous education.

"Unceded Territories is a major and timely review of the work of Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, spanning thirty years of his painterly and polemical practice. It places the artist's concerns in dialogue with this moment in our shared histories. An artist of Cowichan and Okanagan descent, Yuxweluptun lives and works on unceded Coast Salish territories in Vancouver, British Columbia. He calls himself a history painter, a monumentalist, a modernist. Impassioned in his commitment to advance First Nations rights to the land and effect change, Yuxweluptun fuses art with political action--he "paints freedom and equality". This retrospective includes brilliant commentary from Michael Turner, Lucy Lippard, Marcia Crosby, Glenn Alteen, a short-story by Jimmie Durham. In an extensive dialogue, curators Karen Duffek and Tania Willard discuss the meaning of Yuxweluptun's practice and place it in the context of the First Nations struggle for autonomy, justice, and environmental preservation. In a searing and powerful artist's statement, Yuxweluptun himself explains the essence of his painting and the forces that drive his artistic and political life. Published to accompany the exhibition at the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology this volume includes 65 of Yuxweluptun's paintings from the last three decades and will be a lasting document of his art and activism."

Middle School/Professional. From the mighty cedar of the rainforest came a wealth of raw materials vital to the early Northwest Coast Indian way of life, its art and culture. For thousands of years these people developed the tools and technologies to fell the giant cedars that grew in profusion. They used the rot-resistant wood for graceful dugout canoes to travel the coastal waters, massive post-and-beam houses in which to live, steambent boxes for storage, monumental carved poles to declare their lineage and dramatic dance masks to evoke the spirit world. Every part of the cedar had a use. The versatile inner bark they wove into intricately patterned mats and baskets, plied into rope and processed to make the soft, warm, yet water-repellent clothing so well suited to the raincoast. Tough but flexible withes made lashing and heavy-duty rope. The roots they wove into watertight baskets embellished with strong designs. For all these gifts, the Northwest Coast peoples held the cedar and its spirit in high regard, believing deeply in its healing and spiritual powers. Respectfully, they addressed the cedar as Long Life Maker, Life Giver and Healing Woman. Anecdotes, oral history and the accounts of early explorers, traders and missionaries highlight the text. Her 550 drawings and a selection of 50 photographs depict how the people made and used the finished products of the incomparable tree of life to the Northwest Coast Indians—the cedar.

This nonfiction book examines how we can foster reconciliation with Indigenous people at individual, family, community and national levels.

Too many prizes to list! In 1966, twelve-year-old Chanie Wenjack froze to death on the railway tracks after running away from residential school. An inquest was called and four recommendations were made to prevent another tragedy. None of those recommendations were applied. More than a quarter of a century later, from 2000 to 2011, seven Indigenous high school students died in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The seven were hundreds of miles away from their families, forced to leave home and live in a foreign and unwelcoming city. Five were found dead in the rivers surrounding Lake Superior, below a sacred Indigenous site. Jordan Wabasse, a gentle boy and star hockey player, disappeared into the minus twenty degrees Celsius night. The body of celebrated artist Norval Morrisseau’s grandson, Kyle, was pulled from a river, as was Curran Strang’s. Robyn Harper died in her boarding-house hallway and Paul Panacheese inexplicably collapsed on his kitchen floor. Reggie Bushie’s death finally prompted an inquest, seven years after the discovery of Jethro Anderson, the first boy whose body was found in the water. Using a sweeping narrative focusing on the lives of the students, award-winning investigative journalist Tanya Talaga delves into the history of this small northern city that has come to manifest Canada’s long struggle with human rights violations against Indigenous communities.

BC Book Prize winner. In this carefully curated selection of everyday reflections, Richard Wagamese finds lessons in both the mundane and sublime as he muses on the universe, drawing inspiration from working in the bush--sawing and cutting and stacking wood for winter as well as the smudge ceremony to bring him closer to the Creator. Embers is perhaps Richard Wagamese's most personal volume to date. Honest, evocative and articulate, he explores the various manifestations of grief, joy, recovery, beauty, gratitude, physicality and spirituality--concepts many find hard to express. But for Wagamese, spirituality is multifaceted. Within these pages, readers will find hard-won and concrete wisdom on how to feel the joy in the everyday things. Wagamese does not seek to be a teacher or guru, but these observations made along his own journey to become, as he says, "a spiritual bad-ass," make inspiring reading.

The Arctic ice is receding each year, but just as irreplaceable is the culture, the wisdom that has allowed the Inuit to thrive in the Far North for so long. And it's not just the Arctic. The whole world is changing in dangerous, unpredictable ways. Sheila Watt-Cloutier has devoted her life to protecting what is threatened and nurturing what has been wounded. In this culmination of Watt-Cloutier's regional, national, and international work over the last twenty-five years, The Right to Be Cold explores the parallels between safeguarding the Arctic and the survival of Inuit culture, of which her own background is such an extraordinary example. This is a human story of resilience, commitment, and survival told from the unique vantage point of an Inuk woman who, in spite of many obstacles, rose from humble beginnings in the Arctic to become one of the most influential and decorated environmental, cultural, and human rights advocates in the world.