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

Literature to Support First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Student Success in Elementary Schools, Grade 8

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

Grade 8

Selected Bibliography

NB: Older titles that you may find in your library have been included, and 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. (O/P = out of print)

Title / Book Type / First Nation / Some Suggested Activities / Curriculum Links
Ray, Arthur. Illustrated History of Canada's Native People: I Have Lived Here Since the World Began. 2010, 9781554702701. Canada’s Native people have inhabited this land since the Ice Age and were already accomplished traders, artisans, farmers and marine hunters when Europeans first reached their shores. Contact between Natives and European explorers and settlers initially presented an unprecedented period of growth and opportunity. But the two vastly different cultures soon clashed. In this revised and updated edition, Ray charts the history of Canada’s Native people from first contact to current land claims. The result is a fascinating chronicle that spans 12,000 years and culminates in the headlines of today. Dense text, not many illustrations, mostly black and white, very scholarly and authoritative, a useful teacher reference. / Teacher Reference / Many / Use for teacher background and reference. / Social Studies: History of Aboriginal People in 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, Research / All North American / Use for teacher reference and research. / Social Studies
Reed, Kevin. Aboriginal Peoples: Building for the Future. 1998, 9780195412802. Here’s a book that breathes life into this important subject. This work explores the significant role played by Aboriginal peoples in the development of Canada. Topics include residential schools, rituals, self-government and family life. First hand accounts and biographical sketches take readers into this fascinating culture. The book focuses on all facets of Aboriginal culture, history, and challenges from the past to the present with a careful balance between brutal honesty and uplifting accounts of hope and perseverance. It includes biographies of key Aboriginal figures (i.e. Big Bear, Rosemarie Kuptana, Susan Aglukark) and examines some issues (i.e. Nunavut, Nisga, Oka and Ipperwash). / Non fiction / All Canadian / Activity: Biography Project
Describe the Aboriginal worldview and include the four common beliefs.
How is the Aboriginal worldview influencing current environmental issues?
Activity: Residential Schools
Activity: Maps and Mapping
Activity: Vocabulary Study
Activity: Students and Aboriginal Issues / Social Studies: Worldview of Aboriginal people, Clash of Worldviews
Cherry, Lynne. A River Ran Wild. 1992, 0152163727. The story of a river, from the first people thousands of years ago, how people came to depend on it, used it, abused it, polluted it, and finally cleaned it. Beautifully illustrated, and powerfully presented, his book is a classic in environmental studies. / Non-fiction / Describe actions taken by your school or family that show concern and care for the environment.
Activity: Respect for Nature
Activity: Analysis of The Rabbits / Science: Environment, Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
Social Studies: Environment
Johnson, Michael. Encyclopedia of Native Tribes of North America. 2007, 9781554073078. This fully-illustrated reference offers up-to-date and essential facts on the identity, kinships, locations, populations and cultural characteristics of some 400 separately identifiable peoples native to North America, both living and extinct, from the Canadian Arctic to the Rio Grande. Information is organized for easy use and covers all cultural/geographical regions: the Northeastern Woodlands, Southeastern Woodlands, Plains and Prairie, Plateau, Great Basin, California, Southwest, Northwest Coast, Subarctic and Arctic. Tribes are grouped by linguistic family. The spiritual beliefs and the role of Native Americans in history and modern culture are addressed. More than 300 color and archival photographs, 21 regional maps and over 100 specially-commissioned colour illustrations are provided. Population and settlement trends based on recent census figures provide detail about all officially recognized tribes. Appendices include the Powwow Trail. / Reference / Many / Use for reference and for any research project.
Activity: Vocabulary Study / Social Studies: Worldviews of Aboriginal People of Canada
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
Activity: Author Study / Social Studies: Environment People of Canada, Worldviews
Bouchard, David. Elders are Watching. 1990, 0-9693485-3-3. This is a poem about man’s negative influence on nature. The powerful words are on one page with the facing page a dramatic illustration by a famous native artist. The words tell us how man has been overly self- indulgent for much too long and it is time to change to save the environment. It’s a simple and powerful look into the Aboriginals’ relationship with Nature. / Poetry / Discuss the Aboriginals’ relationship with Nature.
What is the reason for the strong respect that Aboriginal people show for nature?
Activity: Respect for Nature / Science: Environment, Interactions and Ecosystems
Language Arts: explore personal understanding of new ideas.
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: Interdependence
Kalman, Bobbie and, Walker, Niki. Native North American Wisdom and Gifts. (Native Nations of North America) 2006, 0-7787-0384-3. Fairly easy reading makes this series a good choice. There are lots of photos and drawings, and many sidebars to break up information. Index, glossary, table of contents, frequent subheads and terms in bold all contribute to ease of reading. This resource includes Aboriginal culture, values, and wisdom. / Non fiction / Many / Activity: Respect for Nature
Activity: Inventions and Innovations
Activity: Food and Medicine
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories / Social Studies: Worldview of Aboriginal people of Canada
Lopez, Barry. Crow and Weasel. 1998, 978-0374416133. Long ago, when people and animals spoke the same language, two young men left their tribe to make an adventurous trek through the wilderness, into the unknown northland. Set in the mythic past and inspired by the traditions of the North American Plains people, this fable of self-discovery follows Crow and Weasel as they face unfamiliar perils on a quest for knowledge and wisdom. Conquering their innermost fears, the two heroes come of age and learn more than they ever could have imagined--about humanity's relationship to the land, the importance of respecting other peoples and giving thanks, and even the very nature of friendship itself. / Picture Book, very long (Quest or hero) / Activity: Quest or Hero Tales
Activity: Respect for Nature
Compare this story to the Legend of Mexicatl / Language Arts:
Literature analysis, story comparison
Social Studies: Aboriginal people
Lunge-Larsen, Lise. Legend of the Lady Slipper: An Ojibwe Tale, 1999, 0395905125. A young girl leaves her community where everyone is sick to go to another community to get medicine. Winter weather makes her trip hard and dangerous. When she loses her moccasins in the snow, her feet are cut by the ice and leave a trail of blood. In the spring when the snow melts, she and her brother find beautiful new flowers wherever she had stepped. These flowers are shaped just like the little moccasins she had lost. The Ojibwa name the flower is ma-ki-sin waa-big-waan, the lady slipper. Beautifully illustrated. / Folklore
(Pourquoi, quest or hero) / Ojibwe / Read for enjoyment.
Over the course of several stories, build a chart that lists and explains Aboriginal values.
Compare with Legend of the Lady’s Slipper
Activity: Quest or Hero Tales
Activity: Pourquoi and Creation Tales / Language Arts: Literature analysis
Wargin, Kathy-jo. Legend of the Lady’s Slipper. 2001, 1886947740. This is the suspenseful tale of a young girl’s run through the forest in an attempt to save the people of her village. The pink and white flowers of the lady’s slipper that carpet the ground each spring remind us of her sacrifice. / Folklore
(Pourquoi, quest or hero) / Ojibwe / Compare with Legend of the Lady Slipper: An Ojibwe Tale.
Activity: Quest or Hero Tales
Activity: Pourquoi and Creation Tales / Language Arts: Literature analysis
McLellan, Joseph, (CAA), Birth of Nanabosho, 1989, 9780921827009. Explains when and why stories of creation need to be told at a certain time of year. This story tells of the origin of Nanabosho and how he was a spirit who could change his shape to suit his purposes. From this comes the lesson to "treat everyone and everything with respect. You never know when Nanabosho has changed himself into something around you, and you certainly don't want to be disrespectful to him or to anything in Creation.” / Folktale (pourquoi - creation) / Ojibwa / What is the reason for the strong respect that Aboriginal people show for nature?
What lesson does this story teach?
Activity: Respect for Nature
Activity: Pourquoi and Creation Tales / Science: Environment
Language Arts: Literature analysis
McLellan, Joe, (CAA), Nanabosho: How the Turtle Got its Shell. 1994, 9780921827405. Long ago, turtle was just a little green creature. He had to hide from everyone. One day he helped Nanabosho with catching fish and so Nanabosho rewarded him by making a shell for him. / Folktale (pourquoi) / Ojibwa / Activity: Pourquoi and Creation Tales
What lesson does this story teach? / Language Arts: Literature analysis
Taylor, C.J. (CAA). How We Saw The World: Nine Native Stories of the Way Things Began. 1993, 0887763022. Here are explanations for the origins of tornadoes, forest fires, butterflies, horses, Niagara Falls and islands. Includes the Blackfoot story How Horses Came into the World. / Folktale (pourquoi - creation) / Many / Activity: Pourquoi and Creation Tales
Use these and other stories to characterize the worldview of Aboriginal people before contact. / Language Arts: Literature analysis
Social Studies: Worldview of Aboriginal people of Canada
Love, Ann and Jane Drake, Kids Book of the Far North, 2000, 1550745638. The Far North is home to many plants, animals and people who have developed remarkable ways of adapting to one of the harshest climates on Earth. The book examines the region’s fascinating history, modern life, and fragile ecosystem with facts, stories, legends, illustrations, timelines and maps. / Non-fiction / Inuit / Research and report writing.
Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Activity: Inventions and Innovations
Activity: Maps and Mapping / Social Studies: Worldview of people of Canada
Landon, Rocky. A Native American Thought of It: Amazing Inventions and Innovations. 2008, 978-1554511549. Includes a map of the traditional territories of the various Native American groups. This book shows a great deal of respect for Native Americans and offers a well-researched, well-planned and very interesting resource. Organized under such headings as food, shelter, transportation, medicine, communication, fun, hunting and fishing. Excellent illustrations and format, fascinating information about more than 70 items and ideas that helped Native Americans survive. / Non-fiction / Many / Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Activity: Inventions and Innovations
What science underlies some of the inventions of the Native Americans?
Activity: Maps and Mapping
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories / Science: Cells and Systems
Ipellie, Alootook. Inuit Thought of It: Amazing Arctic Innovations. Offers a well-researched, well-planned and very interesting resource. Organized under such headings as food, shelter, clothing, medicine, dog sleds, fun, hunting and the kayak. / Non-fiction / Inuit / Activity: Aboriginal Cultural Groups
Activity: Inventions and Innovations
Activity: Survival and Adventure Stories / Science: Cells and Systems
Social Studies: People of Canada
Bruchac, Joseph. Hidden Roots. 2004, 978-0-439-35359-5. In this sensitively-told story, Sonny comes to learn that he is Abenaki and why his Native heritage has been kept secret. With compelling characters, Bruchac brings the Vermont Eugenics Project, a shameful government sterilizzation program ended in 1936, out of hiding. Through Sonny and his grandfather, readers learn of a brutal policy inflicted on American Indians. This title deserves extended discussion in every classroom. / Novel / Abe-naki / Hold a class discussion of the Eugenics Project. Characterize the worldviews of those who supported this project.
Activity: Author Study
Activity: Students and Aboriginal Issues / Social Studies: Worldviews
Auger, Daniel. Watishka Warriors. 2009, 9780981094229. After living away for years, Sandy Lafonde returns to her childhood home at the Watishka First Nation reserve (Peace River area). Little has changed since she left -- a local gang menaces the area, the community is splintered and the Cree youth are left restless and frustrated. Sandy realizes that she needs to do something to help, so she proposes to start a junior hockey team. Drawing on her own past, Sandy steps in as coach and tries to reign in the star player, hot-headed Sheldon Lambert, a 15-year-old hockey prodigy who just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. The team struggles to stay together despite crippling odds and the ever-present gang lurking in the background. And Sheldon faces a decision that could affect the fate of the team, and his own life. / Novel / Cree / Social Studies: People of Canada
Turnbull, Andy. By Truck To The North: My Arctic Adventure. 1998, 1-55037-550-4. Andy rides along in a big rig carrying produce from the B.C. lower mainland to the high arctic. Traveling through the winter forest and across the arctic circle onto a road of ice, we learn to appreciate the hazards and beauty of working in the harsh winter environment. Sidebars include photos and descriptions of the truck interior and the sights of the journey. Well-marked, clear maps show the journey throughout the book. A must-have book. / Non- fiction