"Shi-shi-etko" /// Children's Picture Book

"Shi-shi-etko" is a fantastic children's picture book, written by Interior Salish/Metis author Nicola Campbell and illustrated by Kim LaFave. It tells the story of a young girl, Shi-shi-etko, who lives a simple, normal life with her family in her hometown, only to lose everything held dear to her when she leaves for residential school. The story shows Shi-shi-etko doing the things she loves, such as playing in the river, and saying a prayer with her mother in the morning. The illustrations are done in soft watercolour detail, yet with vibrant colours, evoking the sense of importance this child's life has and the significant emotions that are connected to the story.

This book comes highly recommended by numerous Aboriginal sources. Notably, the Indigenous focused website Oyate.org has an entire page dedicated to a review. The reason that this children's story is so strongly recommended is that it deals with the extremely difficult subject of residential schools in a touching and subtle way,while still managing to convey the tragedy of what occurred. A couple of phrases from the review capture this sentiment concisely (2012):

"The brilliance of this book is in the depiction of a life that should have continued, but was cut short"

 and

"Children and adults alike will be able to appreciate the meaning of losing such warmth, stability, and belonging in the world"

Overall, this book is a perfect educational resource, as well as a touching read for any parent and child. 

References:

Campbell, N., & LaFave, K. (Illustrator). (2006). Shi-shi-etko. Toronto: Groundwood Books, Inc.

Garcia, C. (2012). Oyate: Review: Shi-shi-etko. Available online at http://oyate.org/index.php/rss-feed/12-review-shi-shi-etko

"B is for Basketball" /// Children's Picture book

"B is for Basketball: An Alphabet Book" is simply a great read for any child. Written collectively by the students and teachers of School District #50 in the small community of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, this alphabet book wonderfully portrays their town's love and enjoyment of basketball. The fun and detailed illustrations are done by Judy Hilgemann, a highly respected and award winning artist. The reason this book was created was because the community of Haida Gwaii, which is populated with many First Nations individuals, wanted a special way to represent their lives and culture. They realized that the best way to do this was by showcasing the annual "All Native Basketball Tournament".  According to the foreword of the book, this school competition has become an integral part of the community and is a unique and dearly cherished tradition for the Aboriginal peoples who live near Haida Gwaii.

As this book was created with direct input from the children and educators residing in the area, it does a perfect job of representing the culture of this particular First Nations community. Accordingly, the First Nations Community Reads Awards listed this title as an honouree in their 2014-2015 selections.

In my opinion, this book does a great job of representing a community in an honest and contemporary way. I love looking at the illustrations of the people cheering the players on - they are average, realistic, lovely people - a great portrayal of an Aboriginal community. Another great part of this book are the little sidebars that ask the reader to hunt for objects within the illustrations, along with a small picture of a traditional Aboriginal object beginning with the letter on each page. For example, the letter "T" includes an illustration of a "Talking Stick". These small images are wonderful educational tools as they more deeply engage the reader and allow for further learning opportunities.

References:

School District 50., & Hilgemann, Judy. (Illustrator). (2010). B is for basketball: An alphabet book.

"Scars" /// Grades 7 to 10 YA Graphic Novel

"Scars" by David Alexander Robertson and illustrator Scott B Henderson is an intense and powerful graphic novel for teens. Even though the graphics are only in black and white, it tells an engrossing and moving story of two teens with lives that have direct parallels - one set in the year 1870 and one in current times. The novel flips back and forth between the two teenage boys; one struggles with depression and the other, a Plains Cree boy named 'White Cloud' is faced with choosing to live even after his entire family is wiped out from smallpox. It is a terrible and yet beautiful story: it demonstrates the will of Indigenous peoples to survive even in the midst of personal tragedies. This graphic novel does an excellent job of showcasing a horrid set of historical events in North America with realism, as well as legitimately capturing the challenges that contemporary Aboriginal youth face today.

According to Strongnations.com - a bookseller website that reviews, lists, and details Aboriginal literature, this book is listed in recommended books for teens. The book summary links to an author biography, which states that David Robertson comes from a Swampy Cree background and takes his storytelling seriously. While there is no mention of an Aboriginal ancestry for the illustrator, this does not necessarily take away from the authenticity of the novel as the publisher is Highwater Press, a company that only publishes high quality Indigenous fiction and non-fiction.

I personally think this book is a hard hitting, yet 'cool' way for teens to be educated about the horrors and difficulties that Aboriginal peoples have faced and continue to battle with. Graphic novels are a great alternative format for those who may not want to read a typical informational or educational book about the history of how smallpox affected First Nations peoples.

References:

Robertson, D., & Henderson, S. (Illustrator). (2010). Scars. Winnipeg: Highwater Press.

"Where I Belong" by Tara White /// Grades 7 to 10 YA Novel

This excellent first novel by author Tara White has officially made it onto the list for the 2015 selection of the First Nations Community Reads. While some websites classify this title as a book for children, others have it marked for young adults. Realistically, "Where I Belong" is suitable for grades seven through ten, therefore making it more young adult focused. White tells the story of Carrie, an adopted child who never quite feels at peace, until she discovers her birth father lives in Quebec and makes a journey to discover her roots. It is a beautiful story of redemption and recognition of relationships lost and rediscovered.

This author is Mohawk and draws upon her own experiences and is able to fulfill her childhood dream of writing stories, according to a review from the website GoodMinds.com. This book is on the recommended list of new titles to read from Good Minds, which is a reputable source, as it is managed by a Canadian First Nations family who specifically mention they look for authenticity and realistic depictions of Aboriginal characters. Overall, this book is not to be missed for a young teen audience.

Reference:

White, T. (2014). Where I belong. Vancouver: Tradewind Books.

"The Elders are Watching" /// Children's Picture Book

"The Elders are Watching" by David Bouchard and illustrated by Roy Henry Vickers is an older (2003) but still valuable children's picture book published by Raincoast Books. The author, Bouchard, who is an award winning poet, teamed up with highly regarded artist Roy Vickers to create this timeless message of conservation and recognizing the importance of being considerate of the environment. The story covers serious topics such hunting for sport, destroying forests and over fishing, all under the watchful eye of Elders. It then switches tones and ends on a positive note, asking the reader to do their part to act carefully.

 One of the highlights of this book is that it is set locally - I absolutely loved looking at the illustrations (more like works of art) that depict scenes close to home. There is the Second Narrows bridge, a view of Vancouver, and Coastal scenery. Adults will have no trouble being absorbed in this book, just as children will enjoy listening to the lyrical quartet poetry on each page, accompanied by artwork on the opposite side.

Using the guide set out by Oyate.org it is possible to review this book. Even though author Bouchard may be somewhat of a "cultural outsider" (Oyate, 2015) when it comes to local Aboriginal communities, he makes up for it with his close relationship with First Nations illustrator Vickers, who lives in the Tsartlip Reserve and has Aboriginal ancestry. According to the book jacket, both Vickers and Bouchard have the same goals of reaching out to youngsters and teaching them the importance of being a responsible custodian of the world around us, just as the people who originally inhabited the Coast did. Overall this book is a good choice for a teacher or parent to teach the themes of conservation using traditional Aboriginal perspectives on life.


References:

Bouchard, D., & Vickers, H. R. (Illustrator). (2003). The elders are watching. Vancouver: Raincoast Books.

Oyate.org. (2015). Resources. Retrieved online at http://oyate.org/index.php/resources/42-resources/oyate-s-additional-criteria

"Against the Boards" /// Novel for Grades 3 to 6

"Against the Boards" by Lorna Schultz Nicholson is a solid choice if you're looking for a novel suited for a elementary school aged hockey fan. The book tells the story of Peter, a boy from the Northwest Territories, who has finally made the cut for an AAA Bantam hockey team. Peter is normally quiet and reserved, but when he transitions to a new community with his new 'host' family for hockey, Peter finds himself upset and in trouble. He can't seem to handle the teasing he gets at school because he's 'different' and eventually it gets to him on the ice. This story is a moving depiction of the challenges faced by an Aboriginal teen supplanted in a new city without his normal supports.

The publisher Strong Nations lists this book as a recommended title on their "Canadian Aboriginal Resource List for Elementary School" and contains a short biography of the author, Schultz Nicholson. While the author is not of First Nations heritage herself, she has credible knowledge of sports and hockey related situations. This book is a good example of a children's novel that contains a multi-faceted and realistic lead character who comes from a First Nations background. The only caveat is that this book was published in 2005, and is slightly out of date with the language used and the descriptions of the characters' lifestyles. Otherwise, this book is an exciting and gripping read for children in the age range of seven to twelve.

References:

Nicholson, L. S. (2005). Against the boards. Toronto: J. Larimer Publishers.

"The Caribou Feed Our Soul" /// Information Book

"The Caribou Feed Our Soul" by Pete Enzoe and Mindy Willey is truly an accomplishment in the field of children's non-fiction literature. Published in 2010, with photos by Northern resident Tessa Macintosh, this book is culturally accurate and stays true in the portrayal of a Northern First Nations community. Additionally, this book is relevant as it not only draws upon the history of the author's ancestors, with sacred stories and long held traditions, but it also demonstrates modern living and contemporary practices of the Northwest Territories' community of Lutselke, the Chipewyan people. This book is a standout among other information books aimed at upper elementary school children (ages 8 to 12 most likely) as it has authenticity and specificity not matched in many older (published over 10 years ago) non-fiction titles still available for purchase.

One of the authors comes from the Aboriginal community (as explained in the introduction as well as a biography at the end of the book) and the other author acknowledges her sincere appreciation for being allowed to immerse herself in the community the book is based on, even though her hometown is Yellowknife.

The real highlight of this book are the intimate photos, which do an excellent job of capturing life and hunting caribou practices. Individuals in the community are named, and the reader should feel privileged to catch a glimpse of this special way of life. Interspersed with the details of hunting and the land are traditional stories and definitions of terminology and language used.
In sum, "The Caribou Feed Our Soul" is the type of non-fiction feature that deserves a spot in any library collection.

(Note: picture of book shown is slightly different than version described in review).

Reference: Enzoe, P., Willey, M., & Macintosh, T. (Illustrator). (2010). The caribou feed our soul. Markam, Ontario: Fifth House Publishing.

"Wild Berries" /// Children's Picture Book

"Wild Berries" by Julie Flett is truly a treasure of children's literature. The story is simple and sweet: a young child named Clarence goes blueberry picking with his grandmother. The book includes gorgeous illustrations by Flett that depict the loving and serene relationship that Clarence has both with this grandmother and the land. The book also includes Cree words that accompany particular highlighted English terms in the story. This gives children and parents alike an opportunity to be introduced to the Cree language in a beautiful and uncomplicated way. Lastly, the book ends with a little tasty surprise - a recipe for blueberry jam! 

 Julie Flett comes from a mixed background of Canadian Cree-Metis heritage and is recognized as having special talents in both storytelling and visual arts. This book in particular has won numerous awards and comes highly recommended by many Indigenous organizations. To begin with, "Wild Berries" is on the First Nations Community Reads Honor list, a definitive guide for excellent Aboriginal literature. When explaining the reasons that "Wild Berries" was chosen for the honor, the jury explained that Julie Flett was able to capture extremely important themes of intergenerational relationships and teaching, respect for Mother Earth, and a recognition and preservation of specific Aboriginal dialects (FNCR, 2015)

The book has also been named one of the "Best Multicultural Children's Books of 2013" by the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature. Furthermore, popular magazine "Today's Parent" has named this title one of the "Top 10 Canadian Kids' Books of All Time".  To conclude, I want to leave you with a quote that summarizes just how authentic this book is and how well Julie Flett has been able to represent the language and culture of her people (review linked to by the First Nation Community Reads website) :

 "The author has been very diligent in her translation of the Cree language. Following the story is a pronunciation guide, a vowel and consonant guide, and details on the variations of Cree the language. As always, Flett’s book is well-researched and presented in a thoughtful and respectful manner." (CM Magazine from Simply Read Books, 2014)

References:

Flett, J. (2013). Wild berries. Vancouver: Simply Read Books. 

First Nations Community Read., & Periodical Marketers of Canada. (2014). Julie Flett Scores

First Nation Communities READ 2014-2015 honour and $5,000 Aboriginal literature award. Available online at http://www.sols.org/files/docs/develop/professionalinfo/firstnations/fncr/2014-05-23_ReleaseFNCRTitleAbLit_Award.pdf

Simply Read Books. (2014). Wild Berries: CM magazine review. Available online at http://www.simplyreadbooks.com/book.php?book_id=108&image_num=1&page=reviews

"Shannen and the Dream for a School" /// Information Resource

"Shannen and the Dream for a School" is a rare children's book that is not only informative about Aboriginal people but incredibly inspiring as well. The book is written by Janet Wilson, who doesn't identify with having Aboriginal ancestry but nonetheless does a wonderful job of communicating the information. This book is about Shannen Koostachin, a strong willed young teen who forced the world to turn their attention to the lack of proper educational facilitates for the individuals of Attawapiskat. After a significant fuel leak caused damage to the Northern Ontario community in 1979, things were never properly restored and the people (mostly Cree heritage) were forced to learn in shabby portables. Shannen became fed up with the situation and got the rest of her class to upload a YouTube video showing the nasty conditions and garnered nationwide consideration. Eventually, Shannen led her classmates to Ottawa, where they were able to persuade the Canadian government to finally take action and rectify the situation. 

The story is told with clear and striking photographs and provides amazing insight into the lives of those living in small, underprivileged communities in the North.  This book is the type of material that is deserving of being in any North American classroom. 

The reason I would suggest this information book without hesitation is twofold - One, the book does a superb job of showing an active Aboriginal teen girl in an empowering manner. Secondly, this book won the First Nations Community Reads selection for 2012-2013 and is permanently listed in the archives of top recommended books. The review listed on the First Nations Community Reads website states that this book is impactful for all types of readers and with a solid review like that, I am confident with giving this book a big two thumbs up! 

References:

Wilson, J. (2011). Shannen and the dream for a school. Toronto: Second Story Press.
 ISBN: 978-1-926920-30-6

"Catching Spring" /// Grade 3 to 6 Novel

"Catching Spring" by award winning author Sylvia Olsen is a sweet novel for elementary school aged children. It tells the story of Bobby, who comes from the Tsartlip First Nation in 1957. Bobby loves to fish but faces a conundrum - how can he enter the fishing derby with no boat on the day he works and is expected to give part of his wages to his mother? The story resolves nicely and Bobby is able to fulfill his dream after all. The book also contains some interspersed charming black and white illustrations of Bobby in his community, to accompany the short novel.

The authenticity of this book has a unique source in author Syliva Olsen. Even though Olsen is not from an Aboriginal background herself, she has been a resident and married into the Tsartlip First Nation community for several decades and is highly respected for her involvement and dedication to the community she is a part of. Her children and grandchildren are all connected also live in the area too. According to Olsen's own website, she writes about what she knows - and this book is no different. "Catching Spirit" is actually based upon her husband's childhood experience of entering a fishing derby in his town.

So, while it may be problematic for an author to represent a certain First Nations community without the proper knowledge and experience, Sylvia is able to navigate this topic by utilizing her husband's lived stories as the basis for the novel. Therefore, along with the strong reputation that Olsen holds when it comes to her creation of Aboriginal themed literature for a range of ages and the fact that this story has its roots in real life, lends to the credibility of the book enormously. I would feel confident in recommending this title to any child.

References:

Olsen, S. (2004). Catching spring. Victoria, BC: Orca Books Publishing

"The Little Duck : Sikihpsis" /// Children's Picture Book

"The Little Duck: Sikihpsis", written by Cree author Beth Cuthand from Alberta, with Cree language accompaniment by husband Stan Cuthand, is a heart warming children's story of an unhappy duck who struggles to fit in. The book is published by Theytus Books, a company that focuses on local and First Nations authors. The bright and bold illustrations are done by Mary Longman, who comes from the Gordon Band in Saskatchewan. This picture book is aimed at children ages 3 to 7, tells the story of a duck who feels lonely and out of place with his fellow ducks. So, he goes on a trip to meet the admired Cree people nearby his pond. Sadly though, the Cree people cannot understand his quacks and he isn't able to join in on their dances and traditional practices. In the end, the duck realizes that he fits in perfectly with the other mud ducks.

There aren't many reviews on this book other than it is a recommended resource on the website Aboriginal book publishing website Strongnations.com as a book for young elementary school students in a bundle of educational materials. However, the fact that the story comes from all First Nations contributors and the story contains both English and Cree text makes this book especially unique and worthwhile to read. The only drawback of this book is that it could benefit from an audio recording of the story being read in the Cree language, which would make for a great educational tool. Otherwise, this books serves as a solid introduction to the Cree language and culture.

Reference:

Cutand, B., & Cuthand, S. (2003). The little duck: Sikihpsis. Penticton, BC: Theytus Books.

"Solomon's Tree" /// Children's Picture Book

"Solomon's Tree" by Andrea Spalding and illustrated by Janet Wilson is a marvelous children's picture book. This book tells the story of Solomon, a young Aboriginal boy who cherishes and feels very close with the big old tree near his house. Therefore, Solomon is terribly upset when a storm causes the tree to come down. He feels bereft and struggles to deal with his loss. When Solomon's uncle offers to create a mask using the wood from the beloved tree for Solomon, following the traditions of their people, Solomon jumps at the chance to help. The story beautifully shows the sacred process of carving and wearing a mask and teaches the reader and Solomon about the circle of life and the interconnectedness of all things. The soft yet detailed illustrations bring the story to life in a realistic and engaging way. While there is no mention of either the author or illustrator identifying with a particular Aboriginal community, the fact that this book was officially awarded by the First Nations Community Reads board in 2004 as a top recommended read the means that this book is a good choice in terms of authentically representing an Aboriginal family in a positive and reasonable manner. Additionally, the material about the carving of the mask is based on master carver Victor Reese's work, who comes from the Tsimpshian band.
This book also was selected from Fraser Valley Regional Library's "All Abord for Kindergarten" reading program as an excellent choice for young children's literature. From the Strongnations.com website, this book is listed as a resource for Grade 1, in the subject area of Life Science. With all those recommendations, you won't go wrong reading this book to your child/in a program/to your classroom!

Reference:

Spalding, A., & Wilson, J. (Illustrator). (2002). Solomon's tree. Victoria, British Columbia: Orca Book Publishers.

"Orca Chief" /// Traditional Legend

The newest title, "Orca Chief", written by highly regarded British Columbian First Nations author and illustrator Roy Henry Vickers and reputable author Robert Budd, proves to be an excellent Northwest Coast children's folklore or legend. The story focuses on a group of hunters who are careless with their fishing methods, and who face the consequences of their actions. The Orca Chief teaches the hunters a lesson with his powerful warriors, and the men leave with a knowledge of the importance of how to harvest fish in a sustainable and eco-friendly way. This legend comes directly from the author's grandfather, who lived in Kitkatla, and stated that the story had been passed down by his wife's family. Therefore, this story has its roots in the beautiful history of a local First Nations community, told with the authority of a direct descendant. The illustrations are just phenomenal and will interest adults and children alike. This book is an absolute must for any elementary school or public library. The legend is best suited for children in kindergarten to grade four, although the themes of preservation can be applied to older grades as well.

Reference:

Budd, R., & Vickers, R. H. (Illustrator). (2015). Orca Chief. Madeira Park, BC: Harbor Publishing.

"Paddle-to-the-Sea" /// Alternative Material- Audiobook

"Paddle-to-the-Sea" is a unique Caldecott winning children's book by author Holling Clancy Holling that has been both turned into a movie, as well as a narrated story, available on CD Audiobook. The story was originally written in 1941 and tells the story of a travelling canoe carved by an Aboriginal boy in Canada. This particular version is narrated by Terry Bregy, who has no apparent connection with any First Nations community, nor identifies with being Aboriginal himself.
There are several factors that parents, educators, and children should be aware of when listening to this adventure. While the story is extremely educational and fascinating (especially since the main character is a canoe, who reflects a young boy), there are features of this story that may portray Aboriginal people in a stereotypical and unflattering manner.

First off, the story never directly names the creator of the canoe, but rather leaves the reader to imagine a generic "Indian boy" which allows room for misrepresentation that all Aboriginal children are interchangeable and similar in nature. However, it must be remembered that this book was written years ago, when attitudes and beliefs about First Nations people were significantly different than they are today.

Secondly, the author uses language and scenarios that depict Aboriginal culture in a stereotypical way. The Canadian boy lives in a small dwelling, with visual descriptions of his lifestyle adhering to popular notions of Aboriginal people living simplistically, without the advancements of Western culture (2011). Other First Nations topics are included as well, such as the idea of the "Sun Spirit". This is slightly problematic, as it is unlikely that the author at the time was very familiar and connected with the culture he was representing. Most children would be completely unaware of these elements though. Adults are often blind to racist undertones; the review of this audio book by Publishers Weekly fails to mention any reason to be critical of the themes covered.
In total, while the story is a wonderful adventure spanning a marvelous geographic area, the reader should be wary of how the characters are depicted.

References:

Holling, C. H., (2004). Paddle-to-the-Sea. [Recorded by Terry Bregy]. [CD]. Northport, Maine: Audio Bookshelf.

PB Works. (2011). Children's literature book reviews: Paddle-to-the-sea. Available online at
http://reviews-of-childrens-literature.pbworks.com/w/page/10581708/Paddle%20to%20the%20Sea

"A Salish Coyote Story: Beaver Steals Fire" /// Traditional Legend

"A Salish Coyote Story: Beaver Steals Fire" is exemplary choice for a traditional Aboriginal legend. Collectively, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes put together this book, with the final version being authored by Johnny Arlee, a native Salish speaker. The book also acknowledges that the story represents "thousands of years of oral tradition"(Salish and Kootenai Tribes, 2005). The artist of this book comes from a a tribal First Nations community, but does not specifically state which tribe he identifies with.

After looking at this book, it is apparent that this piece of literature is one not to be missed. It is a beautiful educational tale, that aims to impart knowledge about the gift, signficance, and power of fire. It tells the story of the Coyote, who comes up with a tricky plan to steal fire, before it has become part of life on earth.

One noteable aspect of this book is that it begins with a "Note to The Reader" which asks that the story is not shared aloud outside of wintertime months, in keeping with historical traditions. In this way, the reader is already warned of the sacred nature that the story holds.The other noteable aspect of this book is that there is Salish language include, along with an explanation and description of the words and sounds used in the book. This proves to be a great educational tool.

Overall, this book is a truly authentic telling of an Aboriginal legend, complete with a plethora of glowing reviews by popular critics such as Bloomsbury Review, as well as First Nations representatives alike. Debbie Reese, a well known authoritative figure when it comes to analyzing First Nations material, has this book listed in her "Top 10" books for 2010. Plus, this title won the American Indian Youth Literature Award, which honors the best Aboriginal books published every 2 years. In sum, every educator and parent needs to have a copy of "Beaver Steals Fire" and if possible, get a hold of the additional materials that can accompany the book, including an interactive DVD, lesson plans, and a website which gives information about the Salish and Kootenai Tribes' use of fire.

References:

Confederated Salish., Kootenai Tribes., Arlee, J., & Sandoval, S. (Illustrator). (2005). A Salish coyote story: Beaver steals fire. Lincoln: University of  Nebraska Press.

"Bear Listens" /// Children's Picture Book

"Bear Listens", a title in the "Turtle Island Voices" collection of books for elementary school children (mostly lower level grades) by author Robert Cutting and illustrator Scott Page, is a sweet short story of a bear who learns from nature by listening intentionally. The book is only 15 pages long, including a 'teaching section' at the conclusion of the book, which reiterates the message throughout: it is important to learn about and understand the environment. There is also a little phrase on where the book is set (Plateau region) and it explains that some Aboriginal people still live in the area and continue to hunt and gather food.
The best thing about this book is its simplicity and its beautiful and colourful illustrations. It is fun to read and manages to convey a timeless idea of mindfulness in very few words.
There are no reviews available on any website that I could find, apart from this book being awarded a 2012 finalist in the AEP Distinguished Achievement category for educational materials. Using what we've learned in class though, this book seems to pass as a decent representation of First Nations concepts about nature. While neither the author nor the illustrator appear to be from Aboriginal backgrounds, the entire series is geared towards bringing positive voices and perspectives of Aboriginal peoples to children so that their viewpoints can be enriched. I believe that is a good enough reason to include this book in a library or classroom.

References:

Cutting, R., & Page, S. (Illustrator). (2013). Bear Listens. Place: Rubicon Publishing.

"APTN KIDS" /// Alternative material - Website

Currently available on TV online is the network called APTN or the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. It is a Canadian television corporation that has many sectors, one of those being the childrens' dedicated segment called APTN Kids. I only recently discovered this treasure trove of original Aboriginal themed programming for youth when I asked a co-worker about resources that he would recommend. He immediately directed me to APTN's website  which has a listing of all the available TV shows for children. If you dig a little further by clicking on links listed near the top of the website, you are actually able to watch full episodes online for free. The shows range from cartoons about a young Aboriginal princess named Bizou, to an animated series about Matthew Carver, a 16 year old Algonquin boy who's destined to become a super-hero Kagagi (APTN, 2015). 

This collection of awesome and entertaining shows for children and teens is a fabulous resource to be able to recommend to youth and their families at the library. When I looked into the Producers and those in charge of selecting content, I was impressed. Over 75% of those employed by the network have Aboriginal ancestry (APTN, 2005). Also, the content is overwhelmingly Canadian in nature with numerous Indigenous languages represented in the shows.  The best part about this resource is that it comes from an Aboriginal perspective but it is intended to be viewed and enjoyed by all types of people. The network's producers state that the aims of the shows are to reflect and embrace Aboriginal people's heritage and pride, along with sharing their stories on a local and international level (ATPN, 2005). I think this website provides easy access to a wealth of educational opportunties and entertainment that highlights Aboriginal people in a positive, fun, and realistic way. 

References: 

APTN. (2015).  APTN Kids. Available online http://aptn.ca/kids/

APTN. (2005). Factsheet. Available online http://aptn.ca/corporate/facts.php

"Chickadee" /// Grades 3 to 6 Novel

"Chickadee" by Louise Erdrich is a novel set in 1886 that tells the story of title character, Chickadee, and his adventures to return home after being kidnapped. "Chickadee" is the third book in a series of highly acclaimed books for elementary school aged children by Erdrich. This novel is exciting and will capture the interest of young readers as they follow Chickadee's clever ways as he makes a dangerous escape and comes across a group of Metis fur traders who help him in his journey to get back home to his family. The novel has many historical elements that are educational, yet the adventures and hazards that Chickadee face are so dramatic and intriguing, readers will hardly noticing they are learning at all! There is even a map, a historical introduction, and a glossary explaining the Ojibwe words included in the novel.

Louise Erdrich comes from the Ojibwe Nation and based this story on her own family history. With the authority to create a story located in the home territory of her ancestors, this book and its illustrations (that begin each chapter and drawn in black and white by Erdrich herself) remain true to the history of the Aboriginal people that inhabited the Great Plains of North America.
"Chickadee" has officially been selected by the First Nations Community Read booklist of recommended titles and comes "highly recommended" from the website Goodminds.com, a publishing company which reviews and suggests high quality Aboriginal literature.

References:

Erdrich, L. (2012). Chickadee. Toronto: Harper Trophy Canada.

"Salmon Twins" /// Traditional Legend

"The Salmon Twins" by author and illustrator Caroll Simpson is an excellent example of a traditional style legend written by an individual who doesn't come from an Aboriginal background, and is yet worth reading (which is rare!). This story is a completely made up tale, which Simpson acknowledges openly in the back and front of the book. According to an authority on Aboriginal themed reviews, Oyate.org (2015), this is an absolute must when it comes to writing a story in the style or format of a traditional Indigenous legend. Simpson also acknowledges all of the sources that she pulled from in order to piece together the drawings and theme of her story - from books about Totem Poles to resources on the myths and legends of the North Pacific Coast of America. This recognition of sources is crucial as it gives the reader an idea about the authenticity of the material - it is not entirely fictional, but contains realistic elements of local First Nations subjects and demonstrates the author has researched and is diligent about representing the Aboriginal community as best as she can.

Basically, this "legend" tells the story of a pair of twins who must learn to share in order to save their people, after they are turned into a two headed sea-serpent by the great Thunderbird. The twins encounter a killer whale, a dogfish, a sea wolf and other creatures on their learning journey.

Lastly, the reason "The Salmon Twins" can be considered an acceptable book to read to children is that the author is given a very positive review on Strongnations.com , which is a publisher of credible Indigenous books. The review states that Simpson has loved and respected First Nations culture for many years. The review also says that Simpson is knowledgeable about the areas in which she writes and has traditional Aboriginal skills of making moccasins.

In sum, while Simpson may not be biologically from a First Nation community, her connectedness and love for the culture makes her a decent author of Aboriginal literature for children.

References:

Simpson, C. (2012). The salmon twins. Victoria, British Columbia: Heritage House Publishers.

Strongnations.com. (2015). Strong nations: We bring Indigenous books into your lives. Available online at http://www.strongnations.com/

"Exploring the Life, Myth, and Art of Native Americans" /// Grades 7 to 10 Non-Fiction

This non-fiction feature, written by Larry J Zimmerman, is an extremely detailed and informative book aimed at middle school aged pre-teens. "Exploring the Life, Myth, and Art of Native Americans" is full of beautiful photographs, pulled from a wide variety of sources. The end notes thank numerous artists, museums, and photograhpic libraries for providing the pictures used in the book. The educational content of the book focusses on the history, culture, and spiritual forces guiding the First Nations People throughout North America. It should be noted that the term "Indian" is used to represent these people as it is written from an American perspective, and that word is much more widely accepted and common than it is in Canada.
Evaluating this book, there are some considerations to be made. First of all, while the author is extremely knowledgeable about the subject of Aboriginal peoples (he is a professor of anthropology and museum studies and public scholar of Native American representation at Indiana University) he himself does not come from an Aboriginal background. While the author notes at the back of the book do state that Zimmerman has written or collaborated with Native American communities on more than 20 books, there is the reality that Zimmerman does not necessarily come from a place of authority when discussing sacred stories and legends of some of the tribes within North America.
Additionally, there are no reviews of this book to be found on any "recommended reading lists" by First Nations bloggers or authors.
Lastly, while the information in this book is quite comprehesive in terms of information needed for a school project, etc.,  no specificity is included that places the culture of the Native Americans in the present. For example, one of the captions listed for a full page photograph simply states, "A masked Apache ga'an dancer." This type of represenation can sometimes be sterotypical, even if it conveys an accurate represenation of the physical dress or traditions that are practiced. As this book was published in 2009, I would tend to recommend alternative, newer materials that have equal focus on the present lives and culture of First Nations people. Overall, while I'm sure this book contains a wealth of useful information, I would not give it a highly recommended status.

References:

Zimmerman, L. J. (2010). Exploring  the  life, myth, and art of Native Americans. New York: Rosen Publishers.