Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 6

Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success

Grade 6

Selected Bibliography

NB: Older titles that you may find in your library have been included, and a great many newer titles are provided as a guide for purchasing of new resources. Book types include references, non-fiction, picture books, novels, poetry, alphabet books, folklore and biography. Emphasis has been placed on Canadian titles where possible. Brackets indicate series. Out-of-print (O/P) titles are often included, since they may be in the library even if they are not available to purchase. Books constantly go in and out of print, so it’s well worth ordering any title that is shown as O/P.

Title / Book Type / First Nation / Some Suggested Activities / Curriculum Links
Silvey, Diane. Kids Book of Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. 2005, 1550749986. Another in the Kids Book series on Canada and Canadian history. With index, timeline and table of contents this title has excellent colour drawings, accessible format, and lots of sidebars with quick facts and added interest items. An important book to have, very well researched. Full sections on people of the Plains, the Arctic and the Sub-arctic. This is the only resource that provides a map of Canada showing the land areas of the various seven major groups and the only one to list the various peoples of each of the major areas. / Non fiction / All Canadian / Use for research and reference.
Read And My Heart Soars from Spirit of Canada
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Activity: Inventions and Innovations / Social Studies: People of Canada
Treuer, Anton, et al. Indian Nations of North America. 2010 National Geographic, 9781426206641. Covers the indigenous people who settled North America, and their descendants, whose more than 500 tribes range from the Arctic Circle across the Great Plains to the Eastern Seaboard. Lakota, Cherokee, Navajo, Haida: these groups and many others are profiled in entries, images and maps that highlight each tribe's history and character. Organized into eight geographical regions, this encyclopedic reference gives details about key tribes within each area: their beliefs, sustenance, shelter, alliances, interaction with nature, historic events, and more. This is the definitive, insightful reference on Native Americans. The book's eight Native American authors include renowned academics, national leaders, lecturers, and authors. / Teacher Reference / All North American / Use for teacher reference. / Social Studies
Spalding, Andrea. Secret of the Dance. 2006, 1551433966. A young Aboriginal boy witnesses a secret ceremony (potlatch) after being told that dancing is forbidden by law. Evocative illustrations capture the west coast landscape and the sense of secrecy that is central to the story. / Picture Book / (Pacific Coast) / Why was the custom of the potlatch forbidden by the government?
Discuss the actions of the federal government.
What basic democratic rights were withheld by the government? / Social Studies: Government abridgement of democratic rights
Marsden, John. The Rabbits. 2003. 0-9688768-8-9. This simple but powerful allegory describes the results of most of the colonizations in the history of our planet. The spare text and stylized illustrations tell the chilling story of invasion, environmental destruction and cultural subjugation in simple child-like terms. This is an excellent opener for discussion at many levels. / Picture Book / Use for building appreciation of different perspectives.
What are some of the issues raised in this book?
Read Encounter.
Activity: Analysis of The Rabbits
Activity: Respect for Nature / Language Arts: Allegory, Comparing points of view
Science: Environment
Social Studies: Power, Authority and Decision making
Bruchac, Joseph. (AA). Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back. 1997, 978-0698115842. The 13 scales on Turtle's shell stand for the 13 cycles of the moon, each with its own name and a story that relates to the changing seasons. / Poetry / Abenaki / Activity: Respect for Nature / Science: Sky Science
Love, Ann. Kids Book of the Night Sky. 2004, 978-1553371281. Using a lively combination of clearly written text, myths and legends, jokes, and activities, the authors present an excellent introduction to the many wonders of the night sky throughout the seasons. Step-by-step directions for making a planisphere, sighting tube, star clock, constellation candles and flashcards, and moon cookies are clearly written and illustrated. The short legends and myths from a variety of cultures are well told; each story's origins are identified. Includes a story about the medicine wheel. / Non fiction, myths, activities / Many / Read several Aboriginal stories that explain or deal with the night sky, such as Wisahkecahk Flies to the Moon / Science: Sky Science
Ahenakew, Freda. Wisahkecahk Flies to the Moon. 1999, 9780921827573. Written in Cree and English, this engaging tale follows Wisahkecahk as he hitches a ride to the moon by grabbing the legs of a crane. When the moon disappears underneath his feet, Wisahkecahk falls to earth and lands in soft mud. Rather than rejoice that his life was saved, Wisahkecahk curses the mud as a wasteland. Sherry Farrell Racette is the Métis artist. / Folktale
(Trickster, pourquoi) / Cree / Activity: Trickster Tales
Activity: Pourquoi Tales / Language Arts: Literature analysis
Science: Sky Science
Taylor, C.J. (AA). Little Water and the Gift of the Animals: A Seneca Legend. 1992, 0887762859. The legend of Little Water illustrates the high regard held by Native Americans for the natural world around them. Not only did they rely on certain animals for food, clothing, and shelter, but for their medicines as well. / Folktale / Seneca / Activity: Respect for Nature. / Science: Trees and Forests, Environment
Taylor, C,J. (AA). Ghost and the Lone Warrior: An Arapaho Legend. 1991, 0887762646. Crippled in an accident and left behind by his hunting party, Lone Warrior must overcome hunger, cold, pain, and despair to survive. But most terrifying of all his trials is the appearance of a skeleton-ghost arisen from the grave. That Lone Warrior can still remember to express his gratitude to the animal he must kill to survive, and that he does not allow fear to diminish his dignity, makes him an ideal hero. / Folktale (Quest or hero) / Arapaho / Activity: Respect for Nature
Activity: Quest or Hero Tales / Science: Trees and Forests, Environment
Language Arts: Comparing stories
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. Beaver Steals Fire: A Salish Coyote Story. 2005, 9780803243231. A long time ago fire belonged only to the animals in the land above, not to those on the earth below. Curlew, keeper of the sky world, guarded fire and kept it from the earth. Coyote, however, devised a clever plan to steal fire, aided by Grizzly Bear, Wren, Snake, Frog, Eagle, and Beaver. These brave and resourceful animals raided the land above and risked all to steal fire from Curlew. Here is an ancient and powerful tale from the Salish people of Montana. / Picture Book (Quest) / Salish (Montana) / Activity: Quest or Hero Tales
Compare with Little Badger and the Fire Spirit
Activity: Pourquoi and Creation Tales / Language Arts: comparing stories, literature analysis
Sterling, Shirley. My Name is Seepeetza. 1992, 978-0888991652. Her name is Seepeetza, but at the Indian residential school in British Columbia, she is called Martha. She hates her white name, but she is beaten if she talks "Indian." Her long hair is cut off. Other students pick on her because she has green eyes and looks white. It won the Sheila A. Egoff Children's Book Prize. It’s an autobiographical novel written in the form of a diary when Seepeetza was in grade 6 in the 1950’s. Few books detail the residential school experience. / Novel / What basic democratic rights were withheld by the government?
Find out why the government sent Aboriginal children to residential schools.
Have a debate with government officials on one side and the Aboriginal parents on the other.
Activity: Biography Project / Social Studies: Government abridgement of democratic rights
Language Arts: novel study, biography research
Lronde, Sandra, ed. Sky Woman: Indigenous Women Who Have Shaped, Moved or Inspired Us, 2005, 9781894778190. When Sky Woman fell from the upper world through a hole in the sky, earth was born…. This collection of poetry, short stories and visual arts honours the legacy of Sky Woman. Nearly 40 writers and visual artists are represented from 22 Indigenous nations across Canada, the US, Mexico, Pacific Islands and Japan, including Buffy Sainte,Marie, Jeannette Armstrong, Daphne Odjig and Lee Maracle. / Collection of stories and artwork / Many / Activity: Biography Project / Language Arts: biography research
Loyie, Larry. As Long as the Rivers Flow: A Last Summer Before Residential School. 2002, 0-8899-473-7. A short novel in picture book style about Larry, who at 10 was living with his family near Slave Lake in Alberta when he learned that he must go away to school. Excellent illustrations. An epilogue, complete with photos, show the residential school situation as Lawrence lived it from age 10 –14. / Non fiction Autobiographical novel / Cree / What basic democratic rights were withheld by the government?
Check out the information about residential schools in Story of the Blackfoot People.
Activity: Biography Project / Social Studies: Government abridgement of democratic rights
Language Arts: novel study, biography research
Loyie, Larry. Goodbye Buffalo Bay. Includes anecdotes about Larry’s life at residential school, his life after he leaves the school, and a history of residential schools in Canada. Follows As Long as the Rivers Flow. / Non fiction Autobiographical novel / Cree / What basic democratic rights were withheld by the government?
What has been the impact of residential schools on Aboriginal people?
Research residential schools.
Activity: Biography Project / Social Studies: Government abridgement of democratic rights
Language Arts: novel study, biography research
Loyie, Larry, When the Spirits Dance. 2006, 1894778405. Recounts Larry’s childhood during the World War II years. Prequel to As Long as the Rivers Flow. / Autobiographical, very short / Cree / Describe how Larry’s life in the 1940’s was a mix of contemporary European lifestyle and traditional Cree lifestyle.
Activity: Biography Project / Language Arts: novel study, biography research
Freed, Don. Sasquatch Exterminator. 1999, 0920915418. Book is based on a successful music education project intended to encourage Aboriginal children to write and perform community-based and culturally-enhanced songs. / Picture Book and Music CD / (Cree) / Listen for enjoyment and experience Aboriginal-style culture and rhythms.
Play CD from Drum Calls Softly. / Social Studies: Alberta people
Music
Bouchard, David. (Métis Author). Drum Calls Softly. 2008, 9780889954212. Accompanied by a CD featuring the music of the Northern Cree Singers. The drums sound in the night and the dancers join hands. Enjoy the beauty of Aboriginal culture in words, paintings and song. / Poetry and Song / Cree / Use to help develop Aboriginal perspective and awareness.
Play CD from Sasquatch Exterminator. / Social Studies: People of Canada
Music
Walsh, Alice. Pomiuk, Prince of the North. The year is 1893 in Chicago, and the most fabulous fair the world has ever seen becomes the home for a young Labrador Inuit boy called Pomiuk. Although he captures the hearts of millions of people who come to see “Eskimo village,” and he sees many wonders, he would rather be home. He eventually is able to return, but not before he has been crippled for life. Based on a true story. / Mini Novel / Inuit / Discuss the ethics behind actions of various people in the story.
Research other cases where Aboriginal people were kidnapped.
Activity: Biography Project / Social Studies: Government abridgement of democratic rights
Language Arts: biography research
Campbell, Nicola. (Métis Author). Shi-shi-etko. 2005, 0888996594. In four short days, Shi-shi-etko will be forced to leave her family and all that is familiar to her to attend residential school. This is a moving and poetic account of one child's final moments spent with her family and the beauty of the world around her. In the presence of her family, Shi-shi-etko carefully gathers valuable teachings and memories for safekeeping. / Picture Book / Talk about residential schools and what the impact has been on Aboriginal people. / Social Studies: Government abridgement of democratic rights
Campbell, Nicola. (Métis Author). Shin-chi’s Canoe. 2008, 9780888998576. When they arrive at school, Shi-shi-etko reminds Shinchi, her six-year-old brother, that they can only use their English names and that they can't speak to each other. For Shinchi, life becomes an endless cycle of church mass, school, work, and hunger. He finds solace at the river, with his cedar canoe, a gift from his father, and dreaming of the day when the salmon return to the river - a sign that it’s almost time to return home. This is a story about a devastating chapter in First Nations history. / Picture Book / Talk about residential schools and what the impact has been on Aboriginal people. / Social Studies: Government abridgement of democratic rights
Kalman, Bobbie. Nations of the Eastern Great Lakes, 2005, 0778704734. With good format and excellent illustrations, table of contents, index & glossary, this book provides some details about the Iroquois Confederacy and the roles of elder and younger brothers. / Non fiction / Iroquois and others / Use several sources to find out more about the Iroquois Confederacy.