Indigenous Resources

Animals and Landscape of the Salish Sea and Northwest Coast : Cross Curricular Aboriginal-themed kit.

DLC, 2019.


From the Mountains to the Sea texts "each support the BC Aboriginal Learning Standards in Science and Social Studies" (Strong Nations). We All Live Here (K) We Share the Seasons (1) We are a Community (2). Animals in "Sharing our World: Animals of the Native Northwest Coast" with a puppet included in the kit: Frog, Raven, Octopus, Whale (Orca), Thunderbird, Salmon, Bear, Eagle (Eagle Bear Totem), Wolf, Hummingbird, Beaver. Animals in "Animals of the Salish Sea" with a puppet included in the kit: Frog, Raven, Octopus, Whale (Orca), Thunderbird, Salmon, Bear, Eagle (Eagle Bear Totem), Wolf, Hummingbird. Sharing our World: Animals of the Native Northwest Coast / Goodnight World: Animals of the Native Northwest / Animals of the Salish Sea / Northwest Coast Native Animals (rhyming book) / From the Mountains to the Sea K: We Live Here / From the Mountains to the Sea 1: We Share the Seasons / From the Mountains to the Sea 2: We are a Community / Learn from the Animals of the Salish Sea Colouring and Learning Book / Animals of the Salish Sea Flash Cards / Aboriginal Animal Art Puppets: Wakus the Frog / Hunter the Bear / Howler the Wolf / Joy the Hummingbird / Boom the Thunderbird / Bizzy the Beaver / Splash the Orca / Tricky the Raven / Streamer the Salmon / Sky the Eagle Bear Totem / Magic the Octopus / This kit is intended as a cross-curricular resource for K-2 classrooms with books and resources that support the following: Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives, Science (Animals), Social Studies (Natural Features), and Art (Authentic First Nations Puppets and artwork). The resource also provides ample opportunity to incorporate the Core Competencies. Please note: The puppets included are works of art created by First Nations and Native Arts. Please help the students to respect them as art and do not let them play with them as toys.
Date Published:2019

From the Mountains to the Sea texts "each support the BC Aboriginal Learning Standards in Science and Social Studies" (Strong Nations). We All Live Here (K) We Share the Seasons (1) We are a Community (2). Animals in "Sharing our World: Animals of the Native Northwest Coast" with a puppet included in the kit: Frog, Raven, Octopus, Whale (Orca), Thunderbird, Salmon, Bear, Eagle (Eagle Bear Totem), Wolf, Hummingbird, Beaver. Animals in "Animals of the Salish Sea" with a puppet included in the kit: Frog, Raven, Octopus, Whale (Orca), Thunderbird, Salmon, Bear, Eagle (Eagle Bear Totem), Wolf, Hummingbird. Sharing our World: Animals of the Native Northwest Coast / Goodnight World: Animals of the Native Northwest / Animals of the Salish Sea / Northwest Coast Native Animals (rhyming book) / From the Mountains to the Sea K: We Live Here / From the Mountains to the Sea 1: We Share the Seasons / From the Mountains to the Sea 2: We are a Community / Learn from the Animals of the Salish Sea Colouring and Learning Book / Animals of the Salish Sea Flash Cards / Aboriginal Animal Art Puppets: Wakus the Frog / Hunter the Bear / Howler the Wolf / Joy the Hummingbird / Boom the Thunderbird / Bizzy the Beaver / Splash the Orca / Tricky the Raven / Streamer the Salmon / Sky the Eagle Bear Totem / Magic the Octopus / This kit is intended as a cross-curricular resource for K-2 classrooms with books and resources that support the following: Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives, Science (Animals), Social Studies (Natural Features), and Art (Authentic First Nations Puppets and artwork). The resource also provides ample opportunity to incorporate the Core Competencies. Please note: The puppets included are works of art created by First Nations and Native Arts. Please help the students to respect them as art and do not let them play with them as toys.

Date Published:2019

Anishinaabeg Stories

DLC, 2024.


The Animal People Choose a Leader The Hawk Shadow Storyteller Skye: Teachings from my Ojibwe Grandfather This is What I’ve Been Told Aundeck the Crow Indigenous Communities in Canada: Ojibwe Community Walking Together Fisher finds the bag of summer A collection of picture books from authors of Ojibwe heritage. The books discuss Ojibwe stories, traditions and ways of knowing.
Date Published:2024

Arctic Stories

DLC, 2024.


The kit contains the following titles: The Owl and the Two Rabbits Raven and the Loon Lesson for the Wolf Wild Eggs Grandmother Ptarmigan The Walrus who Escaped The Origin of Day and Night A collection of picture books written by authors from Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Date Published:2024

Braiding sweetgrass for young adults class set : indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants

Gray Smith, Monique, 1968-


Contains 33 copies "Botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer's best-selling book Braiding Sweetgrass is adapted for a young adult audience by children's author Monique Gray Smith, bringing Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the lessons of plant life to a new generation"--
Date Published:2022

The Break Literature Circle Title

Vermette, Katherena, 1977-,


Trigger warning: This book is about recovering and healing from violence. Contains scenes of sexual and physical violence, and depictions of vicarious trauma. Set in a community of mixed Indigenous and settler descent, this is the story of a multigenerational family dealing with the fallout of a shocking crime. The prose of this authentic Indigenous resource is quite accessible, making it an excellent choice for secondary literature circles. Booklist starred, February 2018. Pub Weekly, January 2018. This authentic Indigenous title is an excellent literature circle choice for secondary school students, and is Locally Approved for use in grades 10-12. When Stella, a young Métis mother, looks out her window one evening and spots someone in trouble on the Break--a barren field on an isolated strip of land outside her house--she calls the police to alert them to a possible crime. In a series of shifting narratives, people who are connected, both directly and indirectly, with the victim--police, family, and friends--tell their personal stories leading up to that fateful night.
Date Published:

Trigger warning: This book is about recovering and healing from violence. Contains scenes of sexual and physical violence, and depictions of vicarious trauma. Set in a community of mixed Indigenous and settler descent, this is the story of a multigenerational family dealing with the fallout of a shocking crime. The prose of this authentic Indigenous resource is quite accessible, making it an excellent choice for secondary literature circles. Booklist starred, February 2018. Pub Weekly, January 2018. This authentic Indigenous title is an excellent literature circle choice for secondary school students, and is Locally Approved for use in grades 10-12. When Stella, a young Métis mother, looks out her window one evening and spots someone in trouble on the Break--a barren field on an isolated strip of land outside her house--she calls the police to alert them to a possible crime. In a series of shifting narratives, people who are connected, both directly and indirectly, with the victim--police, family, and friends--tell their personal stories leading up to that fateful night.

Date Published:

Coyote Tales : Stories and non-fiction books for grades 3-6

DLC, 2020.


Coyote Sings to the Moon / Coyote Tales / Coyote and the Sky / Coyote in Love with a Star / Beaver Steals Fire (A Salish Coyote Story) / Coyote as the Sun and Other Stories / A Coyote Columbus Story / A Coyote Solstice Tale / Welcome to the World of Coyotes / Exploring the World of Coyotes. This kit is intended as a cross-curricular resource for grade 3-6 classrooms with fiction and non fiction that supports Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives (traditional stories/trickster stories) as well as Science (Animals). The resource also provides ample opportunity to incorporate the Core Competencies.
Date Published:2020

Coyote Sings to the Moon / Coyote Tales / Coyote and the Sky / Coyote in Love with a Star / Beaver Steals Fire (A Salish Coyote Story) / Coyote as the Sun and Other Stories / A Coyote Columbus Story / A Coyote Solstice Tale / Welcome to the World of Coyotes / Exploring the World of Coyotes. This kit is intended as a cross-curricular resource for grade 3-6 classrooms with fiction and non fiction that supports Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives (traditional stories/trickster stories) as well as Science (Animals). The resource also provides ample opportunity to incorporate the Core Competencies.

Date Published:2020

Cree Stories

DLC, 2024.


A collection of picture books from Cree authors. The books discuss Cree traditions and ways of being. The kit contains the following titles: Mwakwa Talks to the Moon Why We Dance Honouring the Buffalo When We Had Sled Dogs When the Trees Crackle with Cold: A Cree Calendar Grandfather’s Reminder A collection of picture books from Cree authors. The books discuss Cree traditions and ways of being.
Date Published:2024

Indigenous Art Board Books


4 books included: Learn the Alphabet with Northwest Coast Native Art; Learn the Colours with Northwest Coast Native Art; Learn to Count with Northwest Coast Native Art; Learn & Play with First Nations & Native Art.
Date Published:

Indigenous Experience of Colonization through Picture Books


Two copies of each book (total of 12 books): The Water Walker; Secret of the Dance; Shi-shi-etko; Semá:th Xo:tsa: Great Gramma's Lake; Missing Nimâmâ; Not My Girl. Also includes teacher resource package. BCFP12 Curricular: Assess the significance of people, events, places, issues, or developments in the past and present. Content: contemporary challenges facing B.C. First Peoples, including legacies of colonialism; resistance of B.C. First Peoples to colonialism. CIS12 Curricular: Assess and compare the significance of the interconnections between people, places, events, and developments at a particular time and place, and determine what they reveal about issues in the past and present. Content: resilience and survival of Indigenous peoples in the face of colonialism.
Date Published:2023

Two copies of each book (total of 12 books): The Water Walker; Secret of the Dance; Shi-shi-etko; Semá:th Xo:tsa: Great Gramma's Lake; Missing Nimâmâ; Not My Girl. Also includes teacher resource package. BCFP12 Curricular: Assess the significance of people, events, places, issues, or developments in the past and present. Content: contemporary challenges facing B.C. First Peoples, including legacies of colonialism; resistance of B.C. First Peoples to colonialism. CIS12 Curricular: Assess and compare the significance of the interconnections between people, places, events, and developments at a particular time and place, and determine what they reveal about issues in the past and present. Content: resilience and survival of Indigenous peoples in the face of colonialism.

Date Published:2023

Indigenous Poetry


This kit contains 5 titles and a total of 23 books. Titles are: A really good brown girl; Runaway dreams; This is a small northern town; Totem poles and railroads; River woman. Also includes teacher resource package. English First Peoples 10, 11, 12. Content - Common themes in First Peoples' texts. Themes: connection of people to the land and environments; interconnectedness; tradition vs modernity; resilience and healing; importance of balance; decolonization; intergenerational roles; loss; connections to ancestors; nature of knowledge; impacts of colonization; First Peoples' Languages.
Date Published:2023

This kit contains 5 titles and a total of 23 books. Titles are: A really good brown girl; Runaway dreams; This is a small northern town; Totem poles and railroads; River woman. Also includes teacher resource package. English First Peoples 10, 11, 12. Content - Common themes in First Peoples' texts. Themes: connection of people to the land and environments; interconnectedness; tradition vs modernity; resilience and healing; importance of balance; decolonization; intergenerational roles; loss; connections to ancestors; nature of knowledge; impacts of colonization; First Peoples' Languages.

Date Published:2023

Indigenous Worldviews through Picture Books


Three copies of each book (total of 18 books): The Sasquatch, the Fire and the Cedar Baskets; Semá:th Xo:tsa: Great Gramma's Lake; Be a Good Ancestor; On the Trapline; We Dream Medicine Dreams; The Two Sisters. Also includes teacher resource package. English First Peoples 10 - Recognize and appreciate the role of story, narrative, and oral tradition in expressing First Peoples' perspectives, values, beliefs, and points of view (Writing, Literary Studies, New Media). English First Peoples 11 - Demonstrate awareness of how First Peoples' languages and texts reflect their cultures, knowledge, histories, and worldviews. English First Peoples 12 - Analyze how First Peoples' languages and texts reflect their cultures, knowledge, histories and worldviews.
Date Published:2023

Three copies of each book (total of 18 books): The Sasquatch, the Fire and the Cedar Baskets; Semá:th Xo:tsa: Great Gramma's Lake; Be a Good Ancestor; On the Trapline; We Dream Medicine Dreams; The Two Sisters. Also includes teacher resource package. English First Peoples 10 - Recognize and appreciate the role of story, narrative, and oral tradition in expressing First Peoples' perspectives, values, beliefs, and points of view (Writing, Literary Studies, New Media). English First Peoples 11 - Demonstrate awareness of how First Peoples' languages and texts reflect their cultures, knowledge, histories, and worldviews. English First Peoples 12 - Analyze how First Peoples' languages and texts reflect their cultures, knowledge, histories and worldviews.

Date Published:2023

Just a Walk: Felt Story and Book


"Just a Walk" book; 1 felt backdrop; 1 felt story. Includes the book and felt story "Just a Walk": a story about a boy who gets himself into all sorts of humorous situations while walking in the forest. Authentic Indigenous author and illustrator.
Date Published:2019

Kiss of the Fur Queen Literature Circle Title

Highway, Tomson


Born into a magical Cree world in snowy northern Manitoba, Champion and Ooneemeetoo Okimasis are all too soon torn from their family and thrust into the hostile world of a Catholic residential school. Their language is forbidden, their names are changed to Jeremiah and Gabriel, and both boys are abused by priests. As young men, estranged from their own people and alienated from the culture imposed upon them, the Okimasis brothers fight to survive. Wherever they go, the Fur Queen--a wily, shape-shifting trickster--watches over them with a protective eye. For Jeremiah and Gabriel are destined to be artists. Through music and dance they soar.
Date Published:

Born into a magical Cree world in snowy northern Manitoba, Champion and Ooneemeetoo Okimasis are all too soon torn from their family and thrust into the hostile world of a Catholic residential school. Their language is forbidden, their names are changed to Jeremiah and Gabriel, and both boys are abused by priests. As young men, estranged from their own people and alienated from the culture imposed upon them, the Okimasis brothers fight to survive. Wherever they go, the Fur Queen--a wily, shape-shifting trickster--watches over them with a protective eye. For Jeremiah and Gabriel are destined to be artists. Through music and dance they soar.

Date Published:

Métis Stories

DLC, 2024.


A collection of picture books from Métis authors. The books discuss Métis traditions and Métis ways of knowing and being. Contains: Minnow: The Girl Who Became Part Fish Métis Christmas Mittens Fiddle Dancer How the Moon Came to Be The Story of the Tamarack Tree The Giving Tree Indigenous Communities in Canada: Métis Community
Date Published:2024

Motorcycles & Sweetgrass Literature Circle Title

Taylor, Drew Hayden,.


This is a humorous novel that explores a community struggling to weave an increasingly abstract past with some kind of meaningful future. A story of magic, family, a mysterious stranger . . . and a band of marauding raccoons. This authentic Indigenous title is an excellent literature circle choice for secondary school students, and is approved. When a stranger pulls up astride a 1953 Indian Chief motorcycle to the sleepy Anishnawbe community called Otter Lake everything turns upside down especially when the Reserve's Chief, Maggie, is swept off her feet by the stranger, but her teenage son is suspicious of the stranger and he teams up with his uncle Wayne to drive the stranger from the Reserve.
Date Published:

This is a humorous novel that explores a community struggling to weave an increasingly abstract past with some kind of meaningful future. A story of magic, family, a mysterious stranger . . . and a band of marauding raccoons. This authentic Indigenous title is an excellent literature circle choice for secondary school students, and is approved. When a stranger pulls up astride a 1953 Indian Chief motorcycle to the sleepy Anishnawbe community called Otter Lake everything turns upside down especially when the Reserve's Chief, Maggie, is swept off her feet by the stranger, but her teenage son is suspicious of the stranger and he teams up with his uncle Wayne to drive the stranger from the Reserve.

Date Published:

Nobody Cries at Bingo Literature Circle Title

Dumont, Dawn.


In Nobody Cries At Bingo the narrator, Dawn, invites the reader to witness firsthand Dumont family life on the Okanese First Nation. This authentic Indigenous title is an excellent literature circle choice for secondary students. Beyond the stereotypes and cliche's of Rez dogs, drinking, and bingos, the story of a girl who loved to read and her family begins to unfold. It is her hopes, dreams, and indomitable humour that lay bare the beauty and love within her family. It is her unerring eye that reveals the great bond of family expressed in the actions and affections of her sisters, aunties, uncles, brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews, and ultimately her ancestors.
Date Published:

In Nobody Cries At Bingo the narrator, Dawn, invites the reader to witness firsthand Dumont family life on the Okanese First Nation. This authentic Indigenous title is an excellent literature circle choice for secondary students. Beyond the stereotypes and cliche's of Rez dogs, drinking, and bingos, the story of a girl who loved to read and her family begins to unfold. It is her hopes, dreams, and indomitable humour that lay bare the beauty and love within her family. It is her unerring eye that reveals the great bond of family expressed in the actions and affections of her sisters, aunties, uncles, brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews, and ultimately her ancestors.

Date Published:

Personal and Social Core Competencies through story : Primary Storytelling kit with finger puppets.

DLC, February 2019.


Sweetest Kulu (authentic Inuit text) / The Owl and the Lemming (authentic Inuit text) / You Hold Me Up (authentic Indigenous text and art) / Sometimes I Feel like a Fox (authentic Indigenous text and art) / The Sharing Circle (authentic Indigenous text) / The Six Cedar Trees (authentic Indigenous art) / Turtles Race with Beaver (authentic Indigenous text) / How Chipmunk Got His Stripes (authentic Indigenous text) / The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear / Walk on the Wild Side / Up the Creek / Making the Moose out of Life / The Busy Beaver / Big Bear Hug / 8 Finger Puppets: Fox / Owl / Mouse / Moose / Bear / Beaver / Chipmunk / Turtle. This kit includes stories (including aboriginal stories) that connect to the Personal and Social Core Competencies of the new BC Curriculum. The target audience is primary students, but the kit is likely best suited to K-2 students.
Date Published:2019

Sweetest Kulu (authentic Inuit text) / The Owl and the Lemming (authentic Inuit text) / You Hold Me Up (authentic Indigenous text and art) / Sometimes I Feel like a Fox (authentic Indigenous text and art) / The Sharing Circle (authentic Indigenous text) / The Six Cedar Trees (authentic Indigenous art) / Turtles Race with Beaver (authentic Indigenous text) / How Chipmunk Got His Stripes (authentic Indigenous text) / The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear / Walk on the Wild Side / Up the Creek / Making the Moose out of Life / The Busy Beaver / Big Bear Hug / 8 Finger Puppets: Fox / Owl / Mouse / Moose / Bear / Beaver / Chipmunk / Turtle. This kit includes stories (including aboriginal stories) that connect to the Personal and Social Core Competencies of the new BC Curriculum. The target audience is primary students, but the kit is likely best suited to K-2 students.

Date Published:2019

Salmon Cross-Curricular Kit : Primary (gr 2 and 3).

DLC, 2019.


Salmon Forest / Salmon Creek / The Life Cycle of a Salmon / From the Mountains to the Sea: We are a Community (authentic Indigenous text) / We are all Connected: Haisla, Rivers and Chinook Salmon (authentic Indigenous text) / Salmon Boy: A Legend of the Sechelt People (Authentic Indigenous Text and Art) / A Salmon for Simon / Gift of the Salmon (Authentic Indigenous Text and Art) / The Salmon Run (Authentic Indigenous Text and Art) / Matching card game (Salmon Life Cycle) / Salmon Hand Puppet. This cross-curricular kit includes stories (including Indigenous traditional stories) and non-fiction books about salmon, their life cycle and their ecosystem. The kit is best suited to grades 2 and 3 students.
Date Published:2019

Salmon Forest / Salmon Creek / The Life Cycle of a Salmon / From the Mountains to the Sea: We are a Community (authentic Indigenous text) / We are all Connected: Haisla, Rivers and Chinook Salmon (authentic Indigenous text) / Salmon Boy: A Legend of the Sechelt People (Authentic Indigenous Text and Art) / A Salmon for Simon / Gift of the Salmon (Authentic Indigenous Text and Art) / The Salmon Run (Authentic Indigenous Text and Art) / Matching card game (Salmon Life Cycle) / Salmon Hand Puppet. This cross-curricular kit includes stories (including Indigenous traditional stories) and non-fiction books about salmon, their life cycle and their ecosystem. The kit is best suited to grades 2 and 3 students.

Date Published:2019

Secret Path Literature Circle Title

Downie, Gordon, 1964-2017.


Secret Path is a ten song album by Gord Downie with a graphic novel by illustrator Jeff Lemire that tells the story of Chanie "Charlie" Wenjack, a twelve-year-old boy who died in flight from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School fifty years ago. Chanie, misnamed Charlie by his teachers, was a young boy who died on October 22, 1966, walking the railroad tracks, trying to escape from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School to return home. Chanie's home was 400 miles away. He didn't know that. He didn't know where it was, nor how to find it, but, like so many kids--more than anyone will be able to imagine--he tried. Chanie's story is Canada's story. We are not the country we thought we were. History will be re-written. We are all accountable. Secret Path acknowledges a dark part of Canada's history--the long suppressed mistreatment of Indigenous children and families by the residential school system--with the hope of starting our country on a road to reconciliation. Every year as we remember Chanie Wenjack, the hope for Secret Path is that it educates all Canadians young and old on this omitted part of our history, urging our entire nation to play an active role in the preservation of Indigenous lives and culture in Canada. The next hundred years are going to be painful as we come to know Chanie Wenjack and thousands like him--as we find out about ourselves, about all of us--but only when we do can we truly call ourselves, "Canada.".
Date Published:2016

Secret Path is a ten song album by Gord Downie with a graphic novel by illustrator Jeff Lemire that tells the story of Chanie "Charlie" Wenjack, a twelve-year-old boy who died in flight from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School fifty years ago. Chanie, misnamed Charlie by his teachers, was a young boy who died on October 22, 1966, walking the railroad tracks, trying to escape from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School to return home. Chanie's home was 400 miles away. He didn't know that. He didn't know where it was, nor how to find it, but, like so many kids--more than anyone will be able to imagine--he tried. Chanie's story is Canada's story. We are not the country we thought we were. History will be re-written. We are all accountable. Secret Path acknowledges a dark part of Canada's history--the long suppressed mistreatment of Indigenous children and families by the residential school system--with the hope of starting our country on a road to reconciliation. Every year as we remember Chanie Wenjack, the hope for Secret Path is that it educates all Canadians young and old on this omitted part of our history, urging our entire nation to play an active role in the preservation of Indigenous lives and culture in Canada. The next hundred years are going to be painful as we come to know Chanie Wenjack and thousands like him--as we find out about ourselves, about all of us--but only when we do can we truly call ourselves, "Canada.".

Date Published:2016

The seven sacred teachings of White Buffalo Calf Woman : Niizhwaaswi aanike'iniwendiwin : waabishiki mashkode bizhikiins ikwe

Bouchard, David, 1952-


Accompanied by a multilingual DVD in pocket, p. [3] of cover. Cover has title: Seven sacred teachings = Niizhwaaswi gagiikwewin. Published in cooperation with the South Slave Divisional Education Council.
Date Published:2009

Seven Teaching Stories : Primary Read-alouds

Katherena Vermette.


Just Right Gift: A story of Love What is Truth: A story of Truth Misaabe's Stories: A story of Honesty Singing Sisters: A story of Humility Amik loves School: A story of Wisdom The First Day: A story of Courage Kode's Quest(ion): A story of Respect. This collection of 7 primary level stories focusses on the Seven Sacred Teachings of Indigenous communities: Love, Truth, Honesty, Humility, Wisdom, Courage, Respect. Kit includes a Teacher's Guide with information on the teachings, strategies and activities on teaching the stories, and some thoughts on Anishinaabe Culture and Language.
Date Published:2015

Just Right Gift: A story of Love What is Truth: A story of Truth Misaabe's Stories: A story of Honesty Singing Sisters: A story of Humility Amik loves School: A story of Wisdom The First Day: A story of Courage Kode's Quest(ion): A story of Respect. This collection of 7 primary level stories focusses on the Seven Sacred Teachings of Indigenous communities: Love, Truth, Honesty, Humility, Wisdom, Courage, Respect. Kit includes a Teacher's Guide with information on the teachings, strategies and activities on teaching the stories, and some thoughts on Anishinaabe Culture and Language.

Date Published:2015

Surviving the City Literature Circle Title

Spillett, Tasha


This set of 6 books is an excellent BIPOC choice and would work well in conjunction with other titles to create a literature circle. A contemporary graphic novel about Indigenous young women facing heart-wrenching decisions and the anguish of missing loved ones. Tasha Spillet's graphic-novel debut tells a story of kinship, resilience, cultural resurgence, and the anguish of a missing loved one. Miikwan and Dez are best friends. Miikwan is Anishinaabe; Dez is Inninew. Together, the teens navigate the challenges of growing up Indigenous in an urban landscape—they're so close, they even completed their Berry Fast together. However, when Dez's grandmother becomes too sick, Dez is told she can't stay with her anymore. With the threat of a group home looming, Dez can't bring herself to go home and disappears. Miikwan is devastated, and the wound of her missing mother resurfaces. Will Dez's community find her before it's too late? Will Miikwan be able to cope if they don't?
Date Published:

This set of 6 books is an excellent BIPOC choice and would work well in conjunction with other titles to create a literature circle. A contemporary graphic novel about Indigenous young women facing heart-wrenching decisions and the anguish of missing loved ones. Tasha Spillet's graphic-novel debut tells a story of kinship, resilience, cultural resurgence, and the anguish of a missing loved one. Miikwan and Dez are best friends. Miikwan is Anishinaabe; Dez is Inninew. Together, the teens navigate the challenges of growing up Indigenous in an urban landscape—they're so close, they even completed their Berry Fast together. However, when Dez's grandmother becomes too sick, Dez is told she can't stay with her anymore. With the threat of a group home looming, Dez can't bring herself to go home and disappears. Miikwan is devastated, and the wound of her missing mother resurfaces. Will Dez's community find her before it's too late? Will Miikwan be able to cope if they don't?

Date Published:

Take action for Reconciliation : Community ties.


26 copies ; teacher's guide. In Community Ties, students learn about Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the importance of families and culture in keeping communities strong.
Date Published:2019

Take action for Reconciliation : Path to wellness.


26 copies ; 1 teacher's guide. We all want to be healthy. Path to Wellness explores Indigenous Peoples' views on health and wellness and the importance to everyone of finding balance for the mind, body, spirit, and emotions.
Date Published:2019

Take action for Reconciliation : Time for a change.


26 copies ; teacher's guide. Time for a Change explores the histories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in Canada and some of the challenges created by the Indian Residential School System and the Indian Act. The need for reconciliation is also explored, and the importance to all Canadians of finding their own path to reconciliation.
Date Published:2019

Take action for Reconciliation : We are the land.


26 copies ; teacher's guide. We all have connections to the land. We Are the Land explores Indigenous Peoples' relationships with and connections to the land and the importance of maintaining those ties for all people in Canada.
Date Published:

Tales from Big Spirit Graphic Novel : Literature Circle

Robertson, David Alexander, 1977-


Target audience is grades 4-6, but could also be used for older grades, especially for ELL Social Studies. The Tales from Big Spirit series consists of six graphic novels. Each novel in the collection tells the story of an Aboriginal figure who has created a lasting legacy for the history of indigenous people and for Canadian history; some of the figures are already well known and others of them deserve to be. The six novels are intended for readers in grade 4 and up, and were designed to correspond to grades 4-6 social studies curricula across Canada. Titles include: The Scout (Tommy Prince) -- The Peacemaker (Thanadelthur) -- The Rebel (Gabriel Dumont) -- The Ballad of Nancy April (Shawnadithit) -- The Poet (Pauline Johnson) -- The Chief (Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear)).
Date Published:2014

Target audience is grades 4-6, but could also be used for older grades, especially for ELL Social Studies. The Tales from Big Spirit series consists of six graphic novels. Each novel in the collection tells the story of an Aboriginal figure who has created a lasting legacy for the history of indigenous people and for Canadian history; some of the figures are already well known and others of them deserve to be. The six novels are intended for readers in grade 4 and up, and were designed to correspond to grades 4-6 social studies curricula across Canada. Titles include: The Scout (Tommy Prince) -- The Peacemaker (Thanadelthur) -- The Rebel (Gabriel Dumont) -- The Ballad of Nancy April (Shawnadithit) -- The Poet (Pauline Johnson) -- The Chief (Mistahimaskwa (Big Bear)).

Date Published:2014

This Place Literature Circle Title


150 Years Retold is a graphic novel anthology which retells the 150 years of history, from Confederation of Canada to present, through the individual perspective of Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit characters. Explore the past 150 years through the eyes of Indigenous creators in this groundbreaking graphic novel anthology. Beautifully illustrated, these ten stories are an emotional and enlightening journey through magic realism, serial killings, psychic battles, and time travel. See how Indigenous peoples have survived a post-apocalyptic world since Contact.
Date Published:

150 Years Retold is a graphic novel anthology which retells the 150 years of history, from Confederation of Canada to present, through the individual perspective of Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit characters. Explore the past 150 years through the eyes of Indigenous creators in this groundbreaking graphic novel anthology. Beautifully illustrated, these ten stories are an emotional and enlightening journey through magic realism, serial killings, psychic battles, and time travel. See how Indigenous peoples have survived a post-apocalyptic world since Contact.

Date Published:

We are all Connected : Literature Based Kit

District Learning Commons, 2019.


Authenticity Note: Throughout the series, books contain some authentic Indigenous artwork and images. Although the target Audience is grade 2/3, the book illustrations could support Kindergarten and grade 1 as well. Donated by the Langley Primary Teachers' Association. 8 We Are All Connected Titles: Coast Salish, Coastal Rainforests and Cougars / Haisla, Rivers and Chinook Salmon / Inuit, Tundra and Ravens / Lakota, Mixed Grasslands and Bald Eagles / Métis, Wetlands and Mallards / Nisga'a, Ponds and Leopard Frogs / Nlaka'pamux, Grasslands and Rattlesnakes / Sto:lo, Riparian Forests and Black Bears Each title covers the following curricular areas. Traditional storytelling and artwork begin each title from the focus Indigenous territory. Science: Biodiversity, classification, life cycles, food chains, food webs and connections between living and non-living things are just some of the science concepts included in each book. Social Studies: Contemporary and historical Indigenous cultural knowledge flows throughout each book. Local land forms, gatherings, harvesting practices and government are some of the social studies concepts included in each book. 2 Foundation Titles: The two foundational books provide deeper understanding of the content of the “We Are All Connected” titles. We Are All Connected: The Earth, Our Home- explores biomes, ecosystems and biodiversity. We Are All Connected: The Earth, We Share- explores the interconnectedness between living and non-living things. “We Are All Connected” is a series that explores how we all live together in a shared balance upon Mother Earth. Each book explores a specific ecosystem with a focus on one animal and its adaptations for survival within that ecosystem. Indigenous interviewees, each living within the same area, have responded to strategic questions as to how their community interacts with the land, their traditional territory. Explore each text with a sense of inquiry in mind.
Date Published:2017

Authenticity Note: Throughout the series, books contain some authentic Indigenous artwork and images. Although the target Audience is grade 2/3, the book illustrations could support Kindergarten and grade 1 as well. Donated by the Langley Primary Teachers' Association. 8 We Are All Connected Titles: Coast Salish, Coastal Rainforests and Cougars / Haisla, Rivers and Chinook Salmon / Inuit, Tundra and Ravens / Lakota, Mixed Grasslands and Bald Eagles / Métis, Wetlands and Mallards / Nisga'a, Ponds and Leopard Frogs / Nlaka'pamux, Grasslands and Rattlesnakes / Sto:lo, Riparian Forests and Black Bears Each title covers the following curricular areas. Traditional storytelling and artwork begin each title from the focus Indigenous territory. Science: Biodiversity, classification, life cycles, food chains, food webs and connections between living and non-living things are just some of the science concepts included in each book. Social Studies: Contemporary and historical Indigenous cultural knowledge flows throughout each book. Local land forms, gatherings, harvesting practices and government are some of the social studies concepts included in each book. 2 Foundation Titles: The two foundational books provide deeper understanding of the content of the “We Are All Connected” titles. We Are All Connected: The Earth, Our Home- explores biomes, ecosystems and biodiversity. We Are All Connected: The Earth, We Share- explores the interconnectedness between living and non-living things. “We Are All Connected” is a series that explores how we all live together in a shared balance upon Mother Earth. Each book explores a specific ecosystem with a focus on one animal and its adaptations for survival within that ecosystem. Indigenous interviewees, each living within the same area, have responded to strategic questions as to how their community interacts with the land, their traditional territory. Explore each text with a sense of inquiry in mind.

Date Published:2017

What is the Nature of Evil? (Grades 10 - 12) : Literature circle

Spiegelman, Art.


The guiding question of this lit kit is the question: What is the nature of evil? It includes the following titles: Beartown (6 copies plus 2 audio versions (Playaways)), The Moon of the Crusted Snow (6 copies), The Complete Maus (includes volumes I and II of this well known graphic novel) (6 copies), The Break (6 copies), Lord of the Flies (6 copies), The Marrow Thieves (6 copies), and The Outside Circle (graphic novel 6 copies). In literature circles small groups of students gather together to discuss a piece of literature in depth. The discussion is guided by the students' response to what has been read. Collaboration is the key to this approach.
Date Published:2019

The guiding question of this lit kit is the question: What is the nature of evil? It includes the following titles: Beartown (6 copies plus 2 audio versions (Playaways)), The Moon of the Crusted Snow (6 copies), The Complete Maus (includes volumes I and II of this well known graphic novel) (6 copies), The Break (6 copies), Lord of the Flies (6 copies), The Marrow Thieves (6 copies), and The Outside Circle (graphic novel 6 copies). In literature circles small groups of students gather together to discuss a piece of literature in depth. The discussion is guided by the students' response to what has been read. Collaboration is the key to this approach.

Date Published:2019