Inside My Anaana’s Amautik by Nadia Sammurtok, who is an Inuit writer and educator originally from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut; and illustrated by Lenny Lishchenko, tell the story of the pouch in the back of a mother’s parka used to carry a child. The experience in this story is that of baby nestled inside feeling the softness of the amautik and hearing the delightful sounds of Anaana’s laughing. This is a peaceful book for all ages.
Buffy Sainte-Marie, the Authorized Biography by Andrea Warner includes a foreword by Joni Mitchell who like Buffy Sainte-Marie (Cree) has ties to Saskatchewan and writes songs with emotion and a message, both walking their own paths. In this 298-page book, the prologue describes Buffy Sainte-Marie’s early interactions with the music scene that included the likes of Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, her blacklisting, touring, show business perspective with Vanguard and other artists singing or using her songs like Elvis Presley, and the power and intrinsic value of music, resistance and protest.
Teacher’s Guide for the Seven Teaching Stories by Katya Ferguson is a resource of this series by Katherena Vermette. They are: The Just Right Gift – a gift of love; Singing Sisters – a story of humility; The First Day – a story of courage; Kode’s Quest – a story of respect; Amik Loves School – a story of wisdom; Misaabe’s Story – a story of honesty and, What is Truth, Betsy? – a story of truth. The teacher’s guide is organized in three parts: The Seven Teachings, Teaching the Stories and Strategies and Activities Applicable to All Stories.
Trust Your Name by Tim Tingle (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) is a book by award-winning author of an American Indian Youth Literature Awards Honor Book for Danny Blackgoat: Navajo Prisoner. In 2018 Tim Tingle received the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oklahoma Center for the Book. Trust Your Name is part of the 7th Generation Pathfinders series. In Trust Your Name, Bobby and Cherokee Johnny are Cherokee Panthers and friends with Lloyd, also a Panthers basketball player.
One Drum: Stories and Ceremonies for a Planet by Richard Wagamese, Ojibway, and from the Wabaseemoong First Nation, was penned by Richard Wagamese and minimally edited by his publisher. In One Drum, Richard Wagamese finished his interpretation of the first three foundational teachings of the Seven Grandfathers Teachings: humility, courage, and respect. His interpretation of love, honesty, truth and wisdom will forever remain a mystery. These seven fundamental Anishinawbe truths in the Ojibway tradition recognize the principles required to live a good life, in a good way.
The Train is written by Jodie Callaghan, a Mi’gmaq woman from Listuguj First Nation in Gespegewa’gi near Quebec. The Train is illustrated by Georgia Lesley. This is story of a young girl, Ashley who is slowly walking back from school when she meets her Uncle. He is sad. He tells Ashley his story of first going to residential school and the important lesson of knowing where you come from. This story is colourfully illustrated yet invokes the sadness that Ashley and her Uncle feel. It is also descriptive with a short glossary of Mig’maq words.
Nibi is Water, Nibi Aawon Nbiish is written and illustrated by Joanne Robertson and translated by Shirley Williams and Isadore Toulouse. Joanne Robertson is AnishinaabeKwe and author and illustrator of The Water Walker. Nibi is Water, Nibi Aawon Nbiish is for babies and toddlers and in both English and Anishinaabemowin. This book is written from an Anishinaabe water protector's perspective. There are many words associated with the importance of water - rain, snow, splashing, drinking and our role to thank, respect and protect Nibi. Nibi is water and water is life.
Nokum is My Teacher is a picture book that effectively explains about teachings from grandmother, Nokum, told in English and Cree. Allen Sapp's remarkable oil paintings illustrate this sensitive book about the importance of Elders. Grandson asks his grandmother about the importance of attending school and learning how to read. Grandmother provides gentle teachings about respect for the culture of the Cree and advises the boy about understanding the world around him as well as his community. Bouchard uses lyrical dialogue between Nokum and grandson that is thoughtful and loving.
The Song Within My Heart is now available in paperback and is centred on Cree artist Allen Sapp's evocative paintings of his boyhood in Saskatchewan together with David Bouchard's lyrical text. In combination the text and images reinforce the love between a grandmother and her grandson as they prepare to attend a powwow. Based on the recollections of Allen Sapp's childhood with his Nokum (grandmother), the paintings capture the everyday preparations of this Plains Cree family. The boy recalls his first powwow and asks his Nokum what the singers are saying.
Neekah's Knitting Needles is a delightful story about learning to knit in the Cowichan style based on the knitting of Cowichan people from near Port Alberni. In Neekah’s Knitting Needles, the knittling style is based on the work of Odelia Smith from Tsartlip First Nation near Victoria, B.C. Coast Salish knitting is also part of a National Film Board documentary, The Story of the Coast Salish Knitters. Sheena Lot is a picture book illustrator and has won numerous awards for her work. In Neekah’s Knitting Needles Neekah is finally old enough to learn to knit.
