Birdsong

Flett, Julie. Birdsong. Vancouver, BC: Greystone Kids/Greystone Books, 2019.
A young Cree girl moves to the countryside where she makes a new friend, an elderly woman who shares her love of art. Passing through the seasons of the year, this wistful picture book is filled with quiet love. It can take its place along with Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney as a story for readers who appreciate the power of creativity.

More books about the power of art

“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” – Leonardo da Vinci

More indigenous stories

“One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and, if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

More Canadian writers

“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” – Vincent Van Gogh

Speaking Our Truth

Gray Smith, Monique. Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation. Victoria, BC: Orca, 2017.
A Canadian book about reconciliation with chapters focusing on honesty, love, kindness, and reciprocity. Stories of indigenous people, explanations of current political negotiations, and historical information combine to create a highly readable life-affirming book recommended for all ages. Supplemented by a glossary, online and print bibliography, list of residential schools in Canada, and an index. If you can purchase only one book, buy this one! 

More books about indigenous people of North America

 

National Aboriginal Day

It’s National Aboriginal Day in Canada!

Vickers, Roy Henry and Robert Budd. Raven Brings the Light. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Pub., 2013.
This complex powerful legend from the Tsimshian people of the Pacific northwest coast of N.A. is recommended for readers nine-years-old and up. An excellent read-aloud and an intriguing story for readers who enjoy inferring cross-cultural connections and finding universal themes. 

Find more stories of indigenous peoples of N.A. HERE.

Campbell, Nicola. Shi-shi-etko. Toronto: Groundwood, 2005.
A little girl is taught by her mother, father, and grandmother how to remember her home and her culture before she is taken away on a cattle truck to residential school. Astonishingly beautiful illustrations accompany this poignant story filled with five senses details. Highly recommended for readers – and listeners – of all ages.

Eboch, M.M. Salish Community. Collingwood, Ont.: Beech Street Books, 2017.
A 24-page large print book describing the life of B.C’s and Washington State’s Salish people in the past and today. A map, glossary, index, and list of suggested books and websites is included. The four short chapters and full-page coloured photographs will appeal to young readers learning how to do research projects or seeking to expand their general knowledge. While the tone of the writing sometimes minimizes controversial issues, this well-designed book is nevertheless recommended for readers 7 to 10 years old. (It could also be used with older students to analyze how style affects the tone of writing.)
Other books in the series include Cree Community, Huron-Wendat Community, Iroquois Community, Metis Community, and Ojibwe Community.

More aboriginal books HERE.