New Titles

Winter's gift

Curtice, Kaitlin B.,


Dani, an indigenous girl, finds wonder in the resting and waiting that winter teaches us, and shares with her friends how Creator's gift of gratitude can transform the way we see the world.
Date Published:2023

The giving tree : a retelling of a traditional Métis story

Dorion, Leah, 1970-


May include CD in English and Michif. This charming story, richly steeped in Métis culture, focuses on the boyhood reminisces of Mushroom as he describes finding the "great giving tree" with his mother and father. The story emphasizes Métis core values and beliefs including strength, kindness, courage, tolerance, honesty, respect, love, sharing, caring, balance, patience, and most of all, the important connection with the Creator and Mother Earth. Also includes a Métis values chart.
Date Published:2009

May include CD in English and Michif. This charming story, richly steeped in Métis culture, focuses on the boyhood reminisces of Mushroom as he describes finding the "great giving tree" with his mother and father. The story emphasizes Métis core values and beliefs including strength, kindness, courage, tolerance, honesty, respect, love, sharing, caring, balance, patience, and most of all, the important connection with the Creator and Mother Earth. Also includes a Métis values chart.

Date Published:2009

Be a good ancestor

Prince, Gabrielle,


"Rooted in Indigenous teachings, this stunning picture book encourages readers of all ages to consider the ways in which they live in connection to the world around them and to think deeply about their behaviors. Addressing environmental issues, animal welfare, self-esteem and self-respect, and the importance of community, the authors deliver a poignant and universal message in an accessible way: Be a good ancestor to the world around you. Thought-provoking stanzas offer a call to action for each one of us to consider how we affect future generations. Every decision we make ripples out, and we can affect the world around us by thinking deeply about those decisions."
Date Published:2022

"Rooted in Indigenous teachings, this stunning picture book encourages readers of all ages to consider the ways in which they live in connection to the world around them and to think deeply about their behaviors. Addressing environmental issues, animal welfare, self-esteem and self-respect, and the importance of community, the authors deliver a poignant and universal message in an accessible way: Be a good ancestor to the world around you. Thought-provoking stanzas offer a call to action for each one of us to consider how we affect future generations. Every decision we make ripples out, and we can affect the world around us by thinking deeply about those decisions."

Date Published:2022

Powwow day

Sorell, Traci,


Because she has been very ill and weak, River cannot join in the dancing at this year's tribal powwow, she can only watch from the sidelines as her sisters and cousins dance the celebration--but as the drum beats she finds the faith to believe that she will recover and dance again.
Date Published:2022

You hold me up

Gray Smith, Monique, 1968-


A picture book intended to foster empathy among children and encourage them to show each other love and support.
Date Published:2017

My powerful hair

Lindstrom, Carole, 1964-


After generations of short hair in her family, a little girl celebrates growing her hair long to connect to her culture and honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her.
Date Published:2023

Can you hear the plants speak?

Hummingbird, Nicholas,


What do we learn from plants when we listen to them speaking? Indigenous plantsman Nicholas Hummingbird calls on the legacy of his great-grandparents to remember how one drop of rain, one seed, one plant can renew a cycle of hope and connection--for him and for each of us.
Date Published:2024

Not my girl

Jordan-Fenton, Christy


Previously published as: A stranger at home. Two years ago, Margaret left her Arctic home for the outsiders' school. Now she has returned and can barely contain her excitement as she rushes towards her waiting family -- but her mother stands still as a stone. This strange, skinny child, with her hair cropped short, can't be her daughter. "Not my girl!" she says angrily. Margaret's years at school have changed her. Now ten years old, she has forgotten her language and the skills to hunt and fish. She can't even stomach her mother's food. Her only comfort is in the books she learned to read at school.
Date Published:2014

Previously published as: A stranger at home. Two years ago, Margaret left her Arctic home for the outsiders' school. Now she has returned and can barely contain her excitement as she rushes towards her waiting family -- but her mother stands still as a stone. This strange, skinny child, with her hair cropped short, can't be her daughter. "Not my girl!" she says angrily. Margaret's years at school have changed her. Now ten years old, she has forgotten her language and the skills to hunt and fish. She can't even stomach her mother's food. Her only comfort is in the books she learned to read at school.

Date Published:2014

The first day : a story of courage

Vermette, Katherena, 1977-


Makwa has to go to a new school ... and he doesn't want to. How will he face his first day?
Date Published:2014

Amik loves school : a story of wisdom

Vermette, Katherena, 1977-


Amik tells Moshoom about his wonderful school. Then his grandfather tells him about the residential school he went to, so different from Amik's school, so Amik has an idea...
Date Published:2015

Kode's quest(ion) : a story of respect

Vermette, Katherena, 1977-,


Kode knows many things, but she doesn't know one thing: what does respect mean? Who will help her figure out the answer?
Date Published:2014

Misaabe's stories : a story of honesty

Vermette, Katherena, 1977-


Misaabe tells stories and tries to pass them off as the truth. When his mother finds out, she tries to show him his life isn't so bad.
Date Published:2015

Singing sisters : a story of humility

Vermette, Katherena, 1977-,


Ma'iingan knows she is a very good singer. Conflict erupts when her little sister wants to sing just like her.
Date Published:2014

The just right gift : a story of love

Vermette, Katherena, 1977-


Migizi loves his Gookom. Can he find the perfect gift to show her how much?
Date Published:2014

What is truth, Betsy? : a story of truth

Vermette, Katherena, 1977-


Miskwaadesi is puzzled about the teaching Truth. But she knows more than she thinks she does.
Date Published:2015

Teacher's guide : for the series Seven teaching stories : a series by Katherena Vermette

Ferguson, Katya


Part 1: Seven Teachings for Teachers -- Love/Zaagi'idin -- Wisdom/Nibwaakaawin -- Humility/Bekaadiziwin -- Courage/Asskode'ewin -- Respect/Minaadendamowin -- Honesty/Gwayakwaadiziwin -- Truth/Debwewin. Part 2:Teaching the Stories -- The Just Right Gift -- Amik Loves School -- Singing Sisters -- The First Day -- Kode's Quest(ion) -- Misaabe's Stories -- What is Truth Betsy?. Part 3: Strategies and Activities Applicable to All Stories. -- Thoughts on Anishinaabe Culture and Language. Designed to help teachers in early years classrooms use The Seven Teachings Stories series, by Katherena Vermette, this guide provides the framework and key ideas educators need to become participants in a culturally responsive classroom community and to deepen their understanding of the Seven Teachings. With these stories, educators can create a space to discuss diverse perspectives, experiences, and traditions with young readers, and to foster a deeper understanding of ourselves as human beings and of our relationships with others.
Date Published:2015

Part 1: Seven Teachings for Teachers -- Love/Zaagi'idin -- Wisdom/Nibwaakaawin -- Humility/Bekaadiziwin -- Courage/Asskode'ewin -- Respect/Minaadendamowin -- Honesty/Gwayakwaadiziwin -- Truth/Debwewin. Part 2:Teaching the Stories -- The Just Right Gift -- Amik Loves School -- Singing Sisters -- The First Day -- Kode's Quest(ion) -- Misaabe's Stories -- What is Truth Betsy?. Part 3: Strategies and Activities Applicable to All Stories. -- Thoughts on Anishinaabe Culture and Language. Designed to help teachers in early years classrooms use The Seven Teachings Stories series, by Katherena Vermette, this guide provides the framework and key ideas educators need to become participants in a culturally responsive classroom community and to deepen their understanding of the Seven Teachings. With these stories, educators can create a space to discuss diverse perspectives, experiences, and traditions with young readers, and to foster a deeper understanding of ourselves as human beings and of our relationships with others.

Date Published:2015

What your ribbon skirt means to me : Deb Haaland's historic inauguration

Bunten, Alexis C.,


"Pia rushes over to the Indigenous community center after school. It's where she goes every day to play outside with friends and work on her homework. But today--March 18, 2021--is special: Auntie Autumn gathers all the children around their television to witness Secretary Deb Haaland in her ribbon skirt at the White House as she becomes the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. Pia and the other kids behold her Native pride on an international stage. Together with their parents and Elders, the children explore the values woven into their own regalia, land, community, and traditions, making precious memories on this day they won't soon forget." -- Amazon.com.
Date Published:2023

"Pia rushes over to the Indigenous community center after school. It's where she goes every day to play outside with friends and work on her homework. But today--March 18, 2021--is special: Auntie Autumn gathers all the children around their television to witness Secretary Deb Haaland in her ribbon skirt at the White House as she becomes the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. Pia and the other kids behold her Native pride on an international stage. Together with their parents and Elders, the children explore the values woven into their own regalia, land, community, and traditions, making precious memories on this day they won't soon forget." -- Amazon.com.

Date Published:2023

On the trapline

Robertson, David, 1977-,


A boy and Moshom, his grandpa, take a trip together to visit a place of great meaning to Moshom. A trapline is where people hunt and live off the land, and it was where Moshom grew up. As they embark on their northern journey, the child repeatedly asks his grandfather, "Is this your trapline?" Along the way, the boy finds himself imagining what life was like two generations ago -- a life that appears to be both different from and similar to his life now. This is a heartfelt story about memory, imagination and intergenerational connection that perfectly captures the experience of a young child's wonder as he is introduced to places and stories that hold meaning for his family.
Date Published:2021

A boy and Moshom, his grandpa, take a trip together to visit a place of great meaning to Moshom. A trapline is where people hunt and live off the land, and it was where Moshom grew up. As they embark on their northern journey, the child repeatedly asks his grandfather, "Is this your trapline?" Along the way, the boy finds himself imagining what life was like two generations ago -- a life that appears to be both different from and similar to his life now. This is a heartfelt story about memory, imagination and intergenerational connection that perfectly captures the experience of a young child's wonder as he is introduced to places and stories that hold meaning for his family.

Date Published:2021

Giving thanks

Dorion, Leah, 1970-


We often give thanks for the things in our lives that we are grateful for. In this book you will read about many of the things that Métis Elders give thanks for.
Date Published:2014

A circle of friends

Mack, Terri


There are many things that we do with friends and family. What are some activities that you do with your friends and family?
Date Published:2012