The resource descriptions are reproduced with the permission of Saskatchewan Education.
The selected elementary resources are presented with formatting and abbreviations from the Saskatchewan Education Evergreen Curriculum Resources lists for Language Arts, Social Studies, Arts Education, Math, Science and Kindergarten. Other resources, including websites, have been subsumed under each of the subject area subtitles.
The Wish Wind (Pic-Fiction). Eyvindson, Peter (CAN).
Pemmican (PEG), 1987. unp. ISBN 0-921827-03-2 ($7.95 pbk.)
Black and White illustration by Wendy Wolsack-Frith (CAN). Wish Wind grants Boy's requests to move from winter to spring, and then summer. When Wish Wind warns of the danger of water, Boy becomes angry and wishes he were old. Suddenly as Old Man sitting among the Autumn leaves, Boy voices one more wish - a wish for patience to enjoy the time that is now. As Boy again, he has learned to appreciate the joys of present day. A modern fable by a Saskatchewan writer.
Suggested Use: Grades 2 to 4
See also: A Pocket for Corduroy, The Night Rebecca Stayed Too Late, Kyle's Bath, Red Parka Mary
The Great Eagle Dancer (Pic-Non-Fiction). Bird, Glenda (CAN).
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural College (SICC), 1979. unp. ISBN 0-920571-37-9
($5.00 pbk.)
Illustrated in pen and ink by Larry Okanee (D. Morrison, CAN). English and Cree syllabics present the ritual and purpose of the Great Eagle Dance. Often chosen at birth, a dancer would be apprenticed at an early age to the old Eagle Dancer, who was the medicine man. When his successor was ready to begin his life work, the older man would leave the village. This description of a medicine man's initiation rite presents the dance as a spiritual experience rather than as entertainment.
Suggested Use: Grades 1 to 5 , Art Ed.
A House is a House for Me. (Pic-Concept-Homes) Hoberman, Mary Ann. Scholastic (SCH), 1978 unp. ISBN 0-590-71696-4 ($4.95 pbk).Lilting poetry and colorful detail introduce the concept of houses for animal, vehicles, and people. The poem's repeated title refrain aide predictability. A pleasing and imaginative verse.
Suggested Use: Grades 1 to 3.
How the Birch Tree Got Its Stripes (Pic-Myths and Legends). Ahenakew,
Freda, ed. Fifth House (FIF), 1988. unp. ISBN 0-920079-38-5 ($9.95 pbk.)
Striking colour illustration by George Littlechild (CAN). This Cree pourquoi tale relates what transpires after Wisahkecahk asks the birch trees to hold him fast in order to increase his will power. Seeing a whiskey jack and its friends eat all his ducks, Wisahkecahk asks to be set free. When Wisahkecahk is finally released, he vents his anger on the obedient birch trees. Using willow branches, he whips the trees; to this day, birch trees are striped.
See also: Saulteaux Legends: Nanabush and the Ducks
Suggested Use: Grades 1 to 3
Peter's Moccasins (Pic-Fiction). Truss, Jan with Mackenzie, N. (CAN). Reidmore (REI), 1987. 30 p. ISBN 0-919091-24-5 ($6.25 pbk.)
Illustrated by Philip Spink. Peter Cardinal's grandmother has made him a pair of beautiful moccasins finely detailed with tufted moose hair and porcupine quills. As everyone else in his class wears sneakers, Peter hides his moccasins until a classmate brings her pair of beaded moccasins for show and tell. This is a bright, cheerful presentation of the universal childhood fear of being different. It also models teacher sensitivity to class individuality and emotional needs.
See also: The Sandwich, Two Pairs of Shoes
Suggested Use: Grades K to 3
Voices on the Wind (Print-Poetry Anthology). Booth, David, ed. (CAN). Kids
Can Press (HMF), 1990. 41 p. ISBN 0-921103-79-4 ($11.96 hdc.)
Illustrated by Michèle Lemieux (CAN). Fittingly introduced by the poem, "And My Heart Soars" by Chief Dan George, this international collection of poems celebrates nature throughout the seasons. Included are works by well-known writers such as Mary Ann Hoberman, Jack Prelutsky, Walter Brooks, and Jane Yolen. Illustrations' varied characterizations and styles capture and enhance the poems' moods.
Suggested Use: Grades 1 to 5
Where Did You Get Your Moccasins? (Print-Fiction). Wheeler, Bernelda(CAN). Pemmican (PEG), 1986. 26 p. ISBN 0-919566-71-5 ($6.95 pbk.)
Illustrated in black and white by Herman Bekkering (CAN). This enjoyable
cumulative story focuses on a young boy discussing how his new moccasins were made. In answer to the questions posed by his classmates, Jody explains how his father hunted the deer, and Kookum prepared the leather and stitched his beautiful new footwear. Jody's obvious pride in his moccasins can be interpreted as an appreciation of his Kookum and his cultural heritage.
See also: Two Pairs of Shoes, Peter's Moccasins
Suggested Use: Grades K to 2
Other Uses: Science, Arts Ed.
Alfred Reading Series (Print-Fiction). Pelletier, Darrell W. Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research Inc. (BB), 1992. unp. ($6.95 each pbk.).
Titles in the series include: Order no.
Alfred's First Day at School BB 6934
Alfred's Summer BB 6933
The Big Storm BB 6935
Lisa and Sam BB 6936
The Pow Wow BB 6937
(I/M, SK) Written and illustrated by a Métis author from Moose Jaw, each book tells of Alfred's experiences and feelings as indicated by the title. Colour pictures complement the short narrative.
Suggested Use: Grade 1-Unit 1; Grade 1-Unit 2
Other use: Kindergarten, English Language Arts
Amikoonse (Little Beaver) (Print-Fiction). Plain, Ferguson. Pemmican Publications (PEM), 1993. 32 p. ISBN 0-921827-34-2 ($9.95 pbk.).
(CAN, I/M) In this picture book allegory, the beaver Amikoonse escapes from the boy with whom he has always lived and enters the bush for the first time. There he is given advice from animals who direct him to his natural environment, the pond. When he finds his true home, Amikoonse discovers his identity, physically and spiritually. Included is a glossary of Ojibway words that have been used in the book.
Suggested Use: Grades 1 to 4
The Big Tree and the Little Tree (Print-Fiction). Speare, Jean E., ed. Pemmican Publications (PEM), 1986. unp. ISBN 0-919143-21-0 ($6.95 pbk.).ISBN 0-919143-23-72 ($16.00 big book).
(CAN, I/M) For years, the mature tree flaunts its superior size and value to the animals who depend on it for food and shelter. When a nearby little tree matures, it recognizes that the older tree no longer feels useful and generously reminds the older tree of the many years during which the big tree has protected the younger tree. The story concludes that the young tree's most important contribution is its loving care of the elder one. A moral tale about respect for Elders, the book offers bold black and white
illustration by Terry Gallagher.
Suggested Use: Grade 1-Unit 3
Other Use: Arts Education,. English Language Arts, Science
Circle: A Listen and Read Book Series (Print-Non-Fiction). Guebert, Linda, et al. Fitzhenry & Whiteside (FHW), 1985. 23 p. ISBN 0-88902-802-8 ($95.00/3 each of 9 pbk. titles).
The following is a partial listing of titles included in this series:
All Around The Village.
(CAN) Each two-page spread features a drawing of a different part of a northern village. The buildings, vehicles, and other illustrated features are labeled. The pictures show people engaged in various activities during both summer and winter.
Suggested Use: Grade 2-Unit 1
Rosie's Feast
(CAN) The community gathers for a feast. The food includes moose meat, fish,
bannock, and cakes. After the meal, everybody dances to the music of a local group. On their way home by skidoo, Rosie falls asleep.
Suggested Use: Grade 1-Unit 2
Circle: An I Can Read Book Series (Print- Non-Fiction). McInnes, John, et al. Fitzhenry & Whiteside (FHW), 1985. 48 p. ISBN 0-88902-805-2 ($245.00/10 each of 9 pbk. titles).
These books are written from a northern Aboriginal perspective. The titles below are examples from this package:
Here Comes Winter
(CAN) People and animals of the north prepare for winter as children look forward to special winter activities. Illustrations include both photos and drawings.
Together at Camp
(CAN) Children attending summer camp gather wood, fish, and teach each other various skills. Illustrations include children's drawings, photos, and an artist's drawings.
Suggested Use: Grade 1-Unit 3
I Can't Have Bannock but the Beaver Has a Dam (Print-Fiction). Wheeler, Bernelda. Pemmican Publications (PEM), 1984. 32 p. ISBN 0-919143-11-3 ($6.95 pbk.).(CAN, I/M) In this picture book, a Métis boy's mother cannot make bannock because a beaver has chewed a power pole and cut off their electricity. Fortunately, the boy's father works for Manitoba Hydro and is able to rectify the problem quickly. Black and white illustrations enhance the story.
Suggested Use: Grade 1
See also: A Friend Called Chum,
Little White Cabin (Print-Non-Fiction). Plain, Ferguson. Pemmican (PEM), 1992. unp. ISBN 0-921827-26-1 ($6.95 pbk.).
(CAN, I/M) The stories, walks through the forest, and gifts an Elder shares with a young boy help the boy learn about his physical and spiritual world. This is a tender story of a boy's friendship with an Elder and of the passing on of traditional knowledge. One-colour illustration by Ferguson Plain captures the simple eloquence of the story. Ojibwa terms are explained in a concluding glossary.
Suggested Use: Grade 1
Murdo's Story: A Legend From Northern Manitoba (Print-Fiction). Scribe, Murdo. Pemmican Publishing (PEM), 1985. 44 p.
English version large format English version small format -
ISBN 0-919143-09-1 ($16.00 pbk.) ISBN 0-919143-07-5 ($6.95 pbk.).
Cree version small format -
ISBN 0-919143-02-4 ($8.00 pbk.).
(CAN, I/M) This legend explains why summer and winter are each six months long. Pen and ink drawings of northern animals fill each page.
Suggested Use: Grade 2-Unit 1
Other Use: Arts Education, English Language Arts, Science
My Kokum Called Today (Print-Fiction). Loewen, Iris. Pemmican (PEM), 1993. unp. ISBN 0-921827-36-9 ($9.95 pbk.).
(I/M, SK) A young Cree girl's Kokum calls and invites her and her mother home to the reserve for the round dance on the weekend. As the girl packs, she talks happily about her Kokum who is an Elder, her extended family, the dance and the reserve. Gloria Miller's soft coloured pencil drawings illustrate the story.
Suggested Use: Grades 4, 5-Unit 1; Unit 2
Old Enough (Print-Fiction). Eyvindson, Peter. Pemmican (PEM), 1986. 23 p. ISBN 0-919143-41-5 ($4.95 pbk.).
(I/M, SK) A new father dreams of all the things he will do with his newborn son when his son is old enough. But time slips by as the father is too busy with his job. Finally, as a grandfather, he himself is old enough, and has a second chance. This is a gentle, caring story about an Aboriginal family written by a Saskatchewan author.
Suggested Use: Grade 1-Unit 3
Other Use: English Language Arts
This Land Is My Land (Print-Non-Fiction). Littlechild, George. Children's Book Press (RAI), 1993. 30 p. ISBN 0-89239-119-7 ($19.95 hdc.).(CAN, I/M) Through Littlechild's bold, colourful artwork and accompanying text, the reader is lead through the experiences and recollections of a young First Nations person.
Suggested Use: Teacher reference
See also: Pow Wow
All My Relations: Sharing Native Values Through the Arts
(Print-Non-Fiction). Verral, Catherine. Canadian Alliance in Solidarity with Native Peoples (CASNP), 1988. 106 p. ISBN 0-921425-02-3 ($15.00 pbk.)
This book is geared to help non-aboriginal teachers incorporate Aboriginal content into a variety of standard subject areas. It includes a collection of stories, poems, drama games, art activities, songs and a final chapter that deals with symbols often found in Aboriginal literature. The importance of the circle symbol is explained in this book. This information is helpful in teaching the grade five visual art unit on signs and symbols.
Teachers should be aware that the art activities in this book are of an arts and crafts nature and are not necessarily conducive to the aesthetic approach to teaching arts.
Suggested Use: Teacher reference
Dances of the Northern Plains
(Videotape). Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre (SICC), 1987. 18 min. ($29.95)
Shows the diversity in the music, clothing and dances of the Northern Plains Indian peoples. Information is provided which explains the traditional role of dance in their cultures. Dances shown include: grass dance, women's traditional dance, older men's traditional dance and fancy dancing.
Suggested Use: Dance
Dancing Feathers (Print-Fiction). Kleitsch, Christel & Stevens, P. Annick (FIR), 1985. 64 p. ISBN 0-920303-25-0 ($4.95 pbk.)
Based on a movie of the same name, this tells the story of Tafia, a young Ojibway girl from Northern Ontario. Tafia is excited and proud that her grandmother has sewn a jingle dress for her, but at the same time she is concerned about dancing in public. A trip to the city and then to a pow wow help Tafia gain more understanding of herself and her people.
Suggested Use: Dance
Dancing Feathers(Videotape). Spirit Bay Productions (MAG), 1983. Order No. 371-31-100 ($99.00)
See the summary under Dancing Feathers (Print-Fiction).
Suggested Use: Dance
What Do You Have in Your Canoe?
(Audiocassette). Ojibway Cree Cultural Centre (OCCC), 1985. ($17.00)
Winston Wuttunee leads a group of Aboriginal musicians who perform 11 songs for young children. Some have a traditional sound and others are written in a lively pop style. Many of the lyrics help to build strong self concepts in all students. One selection is sung in Cree. A manual is also available for $15.00.
Suggested Use: Music
Archaeologists Dig for Clues (Print-Non-Fiction). Duke, Kathy. Harper Collins Children's Books: New York. 1997. ISBN 0-064-445175-5 ($20.00pbk).
This is a volume in the Lets-Read-and-Find-Out Science book series. Text and illustrations for each of the books in the series are checked for accuracy by an expert in a relevant field. The well-illustrated book shows and describes the experiences of a group of children learning about the vocabulary, tools, and methods of archaeology at a site.
Suggested Use: Kindergarten to Grade 6: Cultural Heritage, Earth Science
The Bison: A Journal of Discovery (Print-Non-Fiction). Marland, Ken. Ken Marland Publishing, Saskatoon, 1990. 48 p. ($14.00 pbk.)
The book is an integrated unit of study with detailed descriptions of actual classroom activities developed with the author and grade four and five students in art, science, social studies, health, mathematics, language arts, reading, drama, children's literature and native studies. Following sections on "Developing the concept of the bison, Why study the bison? and Creating the classroom environment," it develops activities in art, science, health, mathematics and language arts. Photos of children's projects are used to illustrate the text and a list of resources are provided.
Suggest Use: Teacher reference
Canadian Wild Animals A-Z (Print-Non-Fiction). Mastin, Colleayn O.
(Canadian Nature Alphabet Series) Grasshopper Books, Kamloops, B.C. (MIL),
1986. 26 p. ISBN 0-9692641-0-0 ($11.95 hdc.)
An alphabet book describing typically Canadian animals in rhyming verse.
Interesting facts included for each animal. Attractive colour illustrations. Children enjoy the rhyming verse. Excellent for language arts. Includes Northern and Arctic animals.
Suggested Use: Kindergarten to 3 - Animals
The Circle of Life (Print-Non-Fiction) Lobe, Gordon. Saskatoon District Tribal Council (SDTC), 1993. 299 p. No order no. is needed. ($30.00 binder).This book focuses on the interdependency of life on our great planet earth. The "Circle of Life" shares the Aboriginal perspective of respect for our environment and all living things.
Suggested Use: Elementary Science
Bannock and Tea (Print-Fiction). Trembach, Vera. Saskatoon District Tribal Council (SDTC), 1992. 14 p. No order no. is needed. ($10.00 for 10 booklets)
This rebus story is about a boy and his grandmother who make and enjoy bannock and tea together. It introduces five Saulteaux words. The simple illustrations by Vera Trembach are black-and-white.
Suggested Use: Themes - Families, Food
Young Northern Voices (Audio recording). Bush League Records (BSHL), 1993. No order no. is needed. ($15.00 cassette)
This cassette offers 21 songs developed and performed by children in the Northern Lights School Division #113 and in Stanley Mission, with Don Freed. Includes a song book with a glossary.
Suggested Use: Themes - Various
Shared Learnings: Integrating BC Aboriginal Content K-10.
(Print-Non-Fiction). British Columbia Ministry of Education, 1998. 194 p.
ISBN 0-7726-3654-0
It focuses on the diversity, depth, and integrity of the culture of British Columbia Aboriginal peoples. It is a guide for teachers developed in recognition of the need for classroom materials that can help all teachers provide students with knowledge of, and opportunities to share experiences with, BC Aboriginal peoples. The guide allows teachers to plan programs with Aboriginal themes in all subject areas.
Suggested Use: Teacher reference.
Wanuskewin Guide Book. Sararik, Allan ed. Wanuskewin Heritage Park Inc. 1995.
Wanuskewin Information Folder. Wanuskewin Heritage Park Inc. 1995.
SASKATCHEWAN WEBSITES
Saskatchewan Education Evergreen Curriculum
(http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/k/index.html)
Connects to all Saskatchewan Education documents such as:
Indian & Metis Resource list for K-12, Sask. Ed. 1994, Language Arts for Indian & Metis Students: Adapting the Elementary Level Curriculum, Sask Ed. 1994.
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre
(http://www.sicc.sk.ca/index.html)
A clear window to Saskatchewan First Nations culture and history. Has searchable Elders database, which enables students and instructor to find Elders who meet class needs.
(http://schools.sbe.saskatoon.sk.ca/nutan/WANUSKEWIN/INDEX.HTML)
It provides a wealth of information about Plains Aboriginal history. This site is slow to load but is the next-best thing to an actual visit.
Contacting Aboriginal Elders or Cultural Consultants
Seek assistance from the District Chiefs' Office, Tribal Council Office, Band Council, Education Committee or Friendship Centers for names of Elders, consultants and appropriate protocol. The Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre web site above lists Elders.
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