Description
Indigenous Life in Canada: Past, Present, Future: Oral Traditions and Storytelling is one of the titles in the series published by Beech Street Books. Author Anita Yasuda brings important details about unique oral traditions and traditional stories as well as general information about First Nations and Inuit narratives. In this 32-page book written by Anita Yasuda for Beech Street Books is designed for elementary students from grades 4 to 7. Chapters cover the importance of Knowledge Keepers in Indigenous cultures (Chief Jake Thomas); the role of Creation Stories and worldviews, History and Place Names, Remembering Oral Traditions, Recalling History through Song, and Contemporary Voices and Storytelling. Specific topics include APTN, Elders, Glooscap, the Great Law of Peace, Nanabush, Wampum Belts and writing on stone (pictographs). Artists and their contemporary works are discussed and include, Rita Joe, Bill Reid, Tanya Tagaq, Santee Smith, Waubgeshig Rice, Wilfrid Buck, and Connie Walker. Using colour and archival photographs, a glossary of terms; suggested references; and an index the book contains simply written text illustrated with maps, charts, contemporary photographs and paintings. Each book has brief sidebars of additional details about a topic as well as suggested framing questions that assist students in using the historical inquiry method. Content consultant is Agnes Pawlowska-Mainville, professor in First Nations Studies at University of Northern British Columbia. Levelled Guided Reading: V. Recommended.