FNMI Resources

Teacher Resources
Education is Our Buffalo. The Alberta Teachers' Association. (2016) Retrieved from
https://www.teachers.ab.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/ATA/Publications/Human-Rights-
Issues/Education%20is%20Our%20Buffalo%20(PD-80-7).pdf
This is available as a paper book or online through the ATA. It is an Alberta specific guide to the
First Nations, Metis and Inuit. It covers topics such as worldview, history, the contemporary impact of the
history, celebrations, and language.

Four Directions Teachings. (2006-2015). http://www.fourdirectionsteachings.com/main.html

This is an interactive website created by FNMI and has information on the M'ikmaq,
Mohawk, Ojibwe, Cree and Blackfoot. It includes historical accounts and information as well as
contemporary viewpoints. Information from each Nation is shared by Elders. Teacher resources
are also provided.

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. University of Manitoba http://nctr.ca/map.php

Resource with the released documents from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Has a map of the residential schools, national events, and hearings. The documents from
individual schools give a record of the structures, the organizations, and the trauma that occurred
at the schools. This document is NOT suitable for elementary students to view on their own.

Our Words, Our Ways. (2005) Alberta Education. Retrieved from

https://education.alberta.ca/media/3615876/our-words-our-ways.pdf
This offers specific resources to teachers (and other staff) who work with FNMI
students. It has information on the FNMI worldviews and cultures, FNMI students, community,
learning strategies, assessment and students with learning abilities.

Walking Together: First Nations, Metis and Inuit Perspectives in Curriculum.

http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/aswt/#/fnmi_worldviews/beginning_together
This is an interactive website full of information from respected First Nations, Metis and
Inuit Elders and scholars. It is for teachers to learn what FNMI perspectives are, how to
incorporate them in the classroom and how to interact with local FNMI communities.

Books: Fiction
Auger, D. (2006) Mwakwa Talks to the Loon: A Cree Story for Children. Vancouver, British
Columbia: Heritage House Publishing.
Cree Spirituality
This picture book tells the story of a Cree warrior who was given a Gift that allowed him
to hunt and feed his People. However, he becomes too invested in praise and loses his Gift. The
Elders and the Loon help him to rediscover his Gift so the People don’t go hungry. The book
includes Cree phrases with a pronunciation guide in the back and tells the story of why the Cree
celebrate the beings who provide for them.
Boyden, L. (2007). Powwow’s Coming. Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico
Press.
This picture books features beautiful illustrations as it tells the story of a community
preparing for a powwow. It highlights the history of powwows and also tells the importance of
powwows in today’s society. It talks about the outfit, food, music, and community that comes
from powwows. The back includes an informational guide to powwow etiquette, and games.
Note: this book is American and not written by a First Nations person

Campbell, N. (2005) Shi-shi-etko. Toronto, Ontario: Groundwood Books

Leaving for residential schools
This picture book tells the story of Shi-shi-etko (she loves to play in the water) as she and
her family make the most of the days before she is taken away to a residential school. Her
mother, father and grandmother all take her out onto the land and encourage her to remember
that place, their stories, language and dances.

Florence, M. (2015) Missing Nimâmâ. Richmond Hill, Ontario: Clockwise Press.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
This picture book is about a little girl who lives with her grandmother but misses her
mother. The young girl grows up and is paired with the observations of her missing mother who
is watching over her. The book includes Cree family words (mother, grandmother etc)

Highway, T. (2001). Caribou Song. Toronto, Ontario: HarperCollings Publishers.

Northern Cree Spirituality
This picture book is written in Cree and English. It tells the story of two boys and their
family who live up north and are searching for the caribou. The two boys sing and dance to call
the caribou and shows the spirituality of the Cree and their connection to the land.

Slipperjack, R. (2016). These Are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Pesheens.
Toronto, Ontario: Scholastic Canada LTD.
Residential Schools- 60’s Snatch
This is a journal-style novel set in 1966 in Northern Ontario. In the diary entries Violet
details what it feels like to be taken away from her family and the challenges of living in a
residential school. Offers interesting perspective on day schools, differences across reserves and
the First Nations fight to save their children.

Books: Non-Fiction
Florence, M. (2016). Righting Canada’s Wrongs: Residential Schools. Toronto, Ontario: James
Lorimer & Company LTD.
This resource is full of information about residential schools in Canada. It has the events,
and impact of them included. It has both words and pictures which makes it more accessible to
learners.

Student Resources
Niitsitapiisini: our way of life. (2017) Glenbow Museum. http://www.glenbow.org/blackfoot
 This online resource was created by the Glenbow Museum and Blackfoot Elders. This
site gives students the opportunity to explore different aspects of Blackfoot culture. A unique
element is that students can listen to a short story in English and also in Blackfoot.

Shannon's Dream: About Shannon Koostachin. First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of
Canada https://fncaringsociety.com/about-shannen-koostachin
This site tells the story of First Nations youth activist Shannon Koostachin. It details the
quality of education on many First Nations reserves, and includes the letter Shannon wrote about
her school and why it needed to change.

First Nations Child Welfare Complaint at The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. First Nations
Child & Family Caring Society of Canada. Retrieved from
https://fncaringsociety.com/sites/default/files/Handout_child%20welfare%20case%20July%2020
14_4.pdf
This document is written in child friendly terms and talks about human rights, First
Nations children, child welfare agencies and the First Nations case against the federal
government. It also has additional resources that students can look at and pursue further.