You look to your calendar and discover that Wednesday is National Aboriginal Day.
Uh oh, what can you do this late in the year to ensure students continue to learn about the cultures that make Canada?
BOOKS!
The first peoples to come to the land we call Canada were the Native Canadians 15000 years ago (or more). Experts say that they crossed the Bering Strait during the Ice Age.
Today the Native Populations of Canada are divided into many groups, but generally can be divided into three main groups:
1. First Nations
2. Inuit
3. Metis
As a whole, they should be referred to as Aboriginal.
Only One province (Saskatchewan) requires aboriginal content in all grades and most subjects, but many make efforts to ensure students learn about aboriginal contributions to Canada (The Prairies and BC especially).
Today, teachers have many options at their disposal to bring aboriginal cultures into the classroom regardless of whether it is mandated by their province or board.
I believe every student deserves to see themselves represented in the books their teacher reads in class.
Therefore, when I was teaching in Manitoba I began my collection of books which showed characters who looked like my students.
Below is a picture of the books from my collection at home today:
Granny's Giant Bannock
Lark and his Grandmother do not speak the same language, but she still wants to bake him some Bannock while she visits him in Winnipeg. So with his minimal Cree and her minimal Engish, he manages to figure out what she's asking him to buy to bake for him, or so he thinks. (This is a favourite of my daughter Helen, she loves Bannock, and misses it from when we lived in Saskatchewan)
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| Helen and her Bannock 2014 |
Nanabasho Series
Until coming to make this list, I didn't realize how many books in this series were discontinued. It has been almost ten years since I bought them.
Nanabosho is a friend and trickster and has different adventures in each book.
How Summer Came to Canada
This was first read to me in the 80's at school. It's the story of How Summer and Winter came to be. Based on Micmac legends from the region of Canada I'm from. Summer persuades Winter to let her wake up the world while he goes back North to rest for half the year.
A Boy Called Slow
The story of a boy who desperately wants to be given a name likes his father. He grows up to be named Sitting Bull.
Stu Bear Goes on A Mission Visit
I'm not actually sure where or how I acquired this book. And I can't find a link to it on Amazon for you, but it might be available in libraries! In this book, Stu Bear goes on a Mission to inner-city Winnipeg.
Sootface
Sootface is treated poorly by her sisters, much like Cinderella was treated poorly by her step sisters. You could easily use this book in class and compare via a Venn diagram to Cinderella, there really are that many similarities.
The Rough-Face Girl
Honestly, this is basically the exact same story as Sootface! So check out both and pick your favourite, or do another Venn diagram.
Mikissuk's Secret
This book takes place in Nunavut. Mikissuk and her brother have always been very close, but now he is going off on the dogsled to hunt, and she wants to join him but she is too young.
Mwakwa Talks to the Loon
A hunter can talk to animals, but when he becomes too proud of himself, he loses his ability, and the people become hungry.
Are these all the books you could read on National Aboriginal Day?
Definitely Not!
But I implore you to add some to your collection if you haven't already.
In the comments below, please share your favourite books to read to your class with a Native Canadian theme/author/etc
If you're looking for an activity to use for National Aboriginal Day, or for inclusion all year, check out one of my TWO Scrambled Sentences Resources perfect for this day!
Pictured is My National Aboriginal Day Four Sentence Resource, and below is a link to the Seven Sacred Grandfathers, which could also be used this day, and throughout the year!
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