Literacy Resources
This page includes copies of legends, links to titles and sources for ordering Aboriginal books, novel study suggestions, and the very extensive and useful St. Albert Public Schools' resource, literature to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit student success. There are also resources to support professional growth. Please feel free to download.
Recommended by the CBC
Areconciliationreadinglistforyoungreaders.pdf
A reconcilation list for young readers: (http://www.cbc.ca/books/2016/10/a-reconciliation-reading-list-for-young-readers.html)
NationalAboriginalDay2015readinglist_CBCBooks.pdfA must read reconciliation reading list: (http://www.cbc.ca/books/2016/10/a-reconciliation-reading-list-15-must-read-books.html)
The Learning Bird a developed trio of learning objects designed to support English language arts and history instruction for students in grades 10 and 11.
The first learning object created by the team was a podcast entitled “Discovering the Secret Path”. This short audio piece by Daniel Corber, introduces the Secret Path project and shares both Downie’s story and the role he played in telling Chanie Wenjack’s story. It also provides some crucial information about residential schools and the role they’ve played in Canada’s history.
The next learning object is a video by Aya Salah that analyzes the diction, themes, structure and literary devices used in Downie’s poetry and lyrics. The video focuses on the poem “The Stranger”, breaking it down to look at the tone, style and choice of words in the poem. It then goes deeper into exploring the themes it conveys and the structure of the poem itself. This lesson provides a great way to introduce this resource within an English language arts context to support instruction around analyzing poetry, using literary devices, or exploring themes in text.
A Secret Path - Grade 10 and 11 Activity Sheets.pdfNatalie Gilbert created package of activity worksheets that provides teachers with four different ideas on projects and activities to bring the book to life in a classroom setting. These projects could be incorporated into an English class, a visual arts class, or even a history class. Projects range from a mini-research project, where a student researches new concepts or terms using a KWL chart, to a personal reflection document where the student outlines the emotions evoked when reading the book.
The Inconvenient Indian
Reviewed by Edmonton Public Schools -
Publisher: Douleday Canada, 2012 - Novel - Appropriate for Grades 10 - 12 - ISBN: 0385664214
Review:
Every high school English and History teacher should read and teach from Thomas King’s new book, The Inconvenient Indian. It’s funny, it’s readable, and it makes you think. If you have any kind of a social conscience, The Inconvenient Indian will also make you angry. Subtitled A Curious Account of Native People in North America, King has interwoven narrative, commentary and myth-busting into a “history” that reads like a conversation. Despite the humour, it’s a work that argues “when we look at Native-non-Native relations, there is no great difference between the past and the present. “King debunks other matters of historical record and describes the way the White propaganda machine mythologized White heroes and romanticized or demonized Redskins, from George Custer to Louis Riel, in films, in paintings, in media of every kind. King’s juxtaposition of facts will also give you pause. Take Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apology regarding residential schools in 2008. Clearly heartfelt, as King acknowledges, but less than three months later, Harper stood up at the G20 summit and announced “We have no history of colonialism.” By contrast, in 2009, the U.S. government passed a blanket apology for “years of official depredations, ill-conceived policies, and the breaking of covenants” and for “many instances of violence, maltreatment, and neglect inflicted on Native Peoples by the citizens of the United States.” The apology came with a disclaimer, noting that nothing in it authorizes any claim against the United States or settles any claim.
King is particularly scathing as he contrasts the attitude that Indians should stand on their own two feet and develop the skills necessary to manage without government generosities. In the same way, as he remarks, that companies like Air Canada, AIG, Bombardier, Haliburton, General Motors and the Alberta Tar Sands manage without relying on government handouts. He also documents the individual and systemic racism in Canada and the United States. Witness the deaths of the three young Native men found frozen outside Saskatoon after they were last seen in the backs of police cruisers. His account is not one-sided: he questions the tactics of Aboriginal leaders and political organizations and explores questions of when activism veers into violence.
Many schools in the division have used funds to create an Aboriginal collection for their school library. Here are some sources for choosing and/or purchasing titles:
Edmonton Public Schools Aboriginal Collection - EPSD Aboriginal Education Services does a great job of reviewing books and updating their lists!
This includes a section on books to "weed out" of your collection and the reasons why.
Our Voices our Stories: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Stories (Library and Archives Canada)
Goodminds - a site out of Ontario
"Goodminds.com is a First Nations owned business located in Brantford,Ontario. We currently carry over 4,000 books that are respectful of First Nations/Metis/Inuit People, their history and culture. For over 12 years,educators and librarians have shown interest in our accurate, bias free, and educationally sound Native Resources."
Strong Nations – a site for ordering books. They also have free lesson plans.
Native Reflections - A site for ordering books, posters, and almost anything else you could think of! Also has many resources for the 7 sacred teachings.
Turtle Island Voices - Pearson
"The stories within Turtle Island Voices are told in many parts of Canada. "Turtle Island" refers to the continent of North America, based on the creation stories of many Aboriginal peoples. Integrating Turtle Island Voices into the classroom not only helps to foster a sense of identity among Aboriginal students, but it also enriches all students with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit perspectives. Turtle Island Voices honours the histories, cultures, worldviews, and knowledge of Canada’s Aboriginal communities with exciting stories, information, and graphics that will pique students’ interest in learning about Aboriginal peoples and cultures." Pearson canada
French editions for Grades 1-6 now available.
Here is a link to the website: Turtle Island Voices
List of Recommended Indigenous Novel Studies
Division 2
Sioux Winter by Bill Freeman This is an historical novel depicting the 1870's in Western Canada and the Northwestern USA. It tells of the adventures of Black Eagle, a 14 year-old Assiniboine boy and siblings Katie and Jamie who are Black Eagle's friends. The three venture down to Montana to rescue Black Eagle's mother from a Sioux tribe. This novel could be used in tandem with a social studies unit on the extinction of the buffalo, settling of the west and the forced transformation of the First Nations people of North America.
Belle of Battoche by Jacqueline Guest A wonderful historical novel about the famous Battle of Batoche in Saskatchewan. The story is told from the perspective of the feisty eleven year old Belle. This is a tale of friendship, courage, family ties and the start of Metis culture. This would make an excellent novel study for Division 2 or a great read aloud!
Murphy & Mousetrap by Sylvia Olsen A beginning novel that tells of the difficulties Murphy faces when going to live with his mother on her First Nation Reserve. This is a great book to use as a novel study for a theme on courage, change, moving or bullying. Highly recommended as it does not try to teach, preach or reach an audience--just great writing in a modern context with Aboriginal protagonists. The two students who read it (one boy age 10, one girl age 14) also both loved it!
A Different Game by Sylvia Olsen Sequel to Murphy and Mousetrap, we follow the Formidable Four as they move to middle school and try out for the soccer team. Something is terribly wrong with Albert- star-soccer player as he becomes increasingly grumpy and pushes away all attempts at friendship. When his secret is discovered, the friends rally around.
The Contest by Caroline Stellings Rosy, a 12-year-old, Mohawk girl, living in Hamilton, ON is obsessed with Anne of Green Gables. She is a strong and determined character, who with a positive attitude, hard work, loving family and supportive community, overcomes the problems before her. The book assumes the reader will have some knowledge of "Anne of Green Gables", and would perhaps be more enjoyed by those who are at least somewhat familiar with many of the references.
Eagle Song by Joseph Bruchac Danny Bigtree's family has moved to New York and he just doesn't seem to fit in. Danny is homesick for his Mohawk reserve and he is tired of being called "chief' by other students. While the story moves towards a far too simplistic ending, it does illuminate the difficulties youth face this day trying to be proud as they walk in two worlds. Can be used for struggling readers in Division 3.
Indian Shoes by Cynthia Leitich – Smith The book is about the relationship between a young Aboriginal boy and his grandpa and the hilarious encounters they have in everyday life. The book contains short chapters that are advantageous to struggling readers. For use in Division 2 and early Division 3.
Junior High
Goodbye Buffalo Bay by Larry Loyie A story of a boy's coming of age making the transition from the Residential school system into young adulthood. As a personal story it relates the experiences of many Aboriginal people in Canada and thus provides insight into the era of government Indian policies. The book provides an epilogue and glossary making it a great resource book. Could be used as a novel study.
Smiler’s Bones by Peter Larangis A heartfelt story of Minik, his father and four others who were taken from their home in Greenland to New York city in 1897, by famed explorer Robert Peary to the American Museum of Natural History as living Eskimo exhibits. It is a compelling, engaging story of loss, deception, exploration and survival based on historical facts from the book “Give Me My Father's Body: The Life of Minik, the New York Eskimo” by Kenn Harper.
The Curse of the Shaman by Michael Kusugak What happens when the stories of a curse, a Shaman, a cranky Siksik and a young boy in the North come together? You get a novel that is funny, exciting and a great read aloud! Along the way readers will learn a lot about traditional living in the North. A wonderful tale by master storyteller: Michael Kusugak.
No Time to Say Goodbye by Rita Morris While this is a fictional account of five children sent to residential school, the stories are based on recollections of members of the Tsartlip First Nations people. Every dimension of life is altered and yet the students band together in companionship. The book is sad, funny, painful and yet compelling.
At Risk by Jacqueline Guest This is an exciting mystery that is sure to be enjoyed by young teens. In it, Tia tries to bond with a youth during her summer working at a ranch for "at risk" youth. This book includes mystery and suspense as well as an honest examination of risk factors.
Dream Racer by Jacqueline Guest The family dynamics and authentic dialogue will appeal to teens who also enjoy sports and race cars. Zoe Kendall, and her boyfriend, compete in car rallies, and have plans to become engineers who will design race cars. Zoe's mother wants her to become a doctor and enrolls her in medical school. Zoe must find a way to be true to her dreams, strengthen family ties, and maintain friendships. Fast paced; good read.
Wild Ride by Jacqueline Guest This is a sequel to Lightening Rider and is another adventure/mystery for the teen protagonist: January Fournier. It also presents several dimensions of modern Aboriginal families. One is the diversity and another is the different spiritual practices. This is easy to read and will appeal to youth of many different ages. One particularly nice feature is that it is set in the Rocky mountains and will be familiar to many Alberta readers.
War Games by Jacqueline Guest “When Ryan Taber’s father leaves for a tour of duty in Afghanistan, it doesn’t take long before the video addicted teen finds himself in a war zone at home “
Lightening Rider by Jacqueline Guest January, a strong Metis girl, learns that her brother is intensive care. She soons sets out to prove that he is innocent of the charge being laid against him: being the prime suspect in a string of motorcycle thefts. A marvelous story with action, affection, and strong family ties.
Soccer Star by Jacqueline Guest Thirteen year old Sam Aqsarniq-Keys is a soccer star. Her mother is in the Canadian military and has just been transferred to Edmonton. Sam's parents allow her to participate in only one extra-curricular activity but when she makes the soccer team and the lead character in the new school play, how will she manage both? A coming-of-age story about family, culture, strength and consequence. Readers will connect with the transitions of moving, new school and friendships.
Middle Row by Slyvia Olsen A short adventurous story about two teens looking for a missing friend. As they seek to find him they encounter racism and discrimination in their community and discover that their friend is in more danger than they thought.
Retro Girl by T. D. Thompson Great novel study for Jr. High students. Deals with racism, being different and feelings of not fitting in.
Fatty Legs by Christie Jordan- Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton This is an informative, true story about the effects of residential school on a brave young Inuit girl in her quest to learn how to read. Her spirit, dignity and resilience remain intact against all atrocities that she experiences. Archival photos and striking artwork add to the authenticity of this story. Many young readers will be attracted to this memoir.
High School
I am Apache by Tanya Landman Fourteen year old Siki watches in horror as her beloved brother and mother are killed before her eyes. Filled with a desire to avenge their deaths, she becomes a warrior in her Apache tribe. This book is fast paced and well written. Great for a novel study on courage.
The Middle of Everywhere by Monique Polak This story of a 15-year old boy moving from Montreal to Nunavik to live with his father provides a very informative but easy to understand and compelling look at modern Inuit life. Told from Noah's perspective, the reader learns about storytelling (including the story of Kajataijug), sled-dogs, hunting, winter camping, catching Arctic Char, evenshopping at the Northern Store. The reader also learns some of the history of Nunavik, such as the RCMP killing of the sled dogs, residential schools, and why the town looks so "new". By the end, both Noah and the reader have a much better understanding of and respect for this place that isn't in the "middle of nowhere", but rather of everywhere. I finished the book wishing there was more to read.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie The telling of life as an Aboriginal youth who transitions from a reserve school to an urban school told through humor. For use in late Division 3 and Division 4.