REVIEWS
Tis beautiful board book tells the story of water and its uses in our lives. Te author and translators worked together to create a rich text for young students from Kindergar- ten to Grade 2 to explore and discover water in their own community and in the world around them. Nibi is Water is a bilingual book, in both
NIBI IS WATER/NIBI AAWON NBIISH by Joanne Robertson Translated by Shirley Williams and Isadore Toulouse Second Story Press, 2020 28 pages, $12.95 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Asha Nagpal
English and Annishinaabemowin (Ojibwe), and includes a pronunciation guide to ensure readers are pronouncing the Annishinaabe words correctly. Author Joanne Robertson is Anishinaabekwe and a member of Atika- meksheng Anishnawbek. Translator Elder Shirley Ida Williams is a member of the Bird Clan of the Ojibway and Odawa First Na- tions of Canada. Translator Isadore Toulouse is a speaker and teacher of the Ojibwe and Odawa languages. Students from Kindergarten to Grade
2 can use this book to relate to their treaty promises as well as their responsibility to be stewards of the Land. Te book can also be accompanied by outdoor learning, as a Minds On to inspire students to make con-
Fishing with Grandma is a picture book about two children and their Grandma who go on a fishing adventure together at the lake in their community. It explores Inuit fishing tools and traditional knowledge and teach- ings needed to successfully go ice fishing. Te book begins by exploring how the
FISHING WITH GRANDMA By Susan Avingaq and Maren Vsetula Illustrated by Charlene Chua Inhabit Media Inc, 2016 32 pages. $14.95 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Michelle McKay
children and their Grandma prepare for their fishing trip, including how to dress ap- propriately. As they head out on their adven- ture, Grandma teaches the children how to check the ice to make sure it is safe for fishing and how to prepare a hole for jigging. Aſter a successful day of fishing (and catching many Arctic char), the children and Grandma re- turn to their community to share fish they caught with other community members. Te story concludes when the children and their Grandma arrive home to enjoy a meal of fried fish with their family. Inuktitut words are used throughout the
story and there is a pronunciation guide in the back of the book to support pronuncia- tion. Temes include honouring traditional knowledge, learning from Elders, sharing in community and honouring your identity and cultural practices.
nections and to be curious when learning and exploring outdoors. Nibi is Water can be used to complement the Science curriculum: In Grade 1, students can explore this story through the lens of seasonal change while in Grade 2, they can explore the uses of water. Educators can use the book to further
conversations about language loss and lan- guage revitalization in Indigenous communi- ties and make connections to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. Nibi is Water is also a great introduction to exploring other books about water and Indig- enous activism, such as Te Water Walker and We are Water Protectors. Students can use this book as a catalyst to explore the importance of Water Protectors and learn about the late Josephine Mandamin and Autumn Peltier. Tis is an excellent book to build class-
room libraries intentionally, to highlight Indigenous voices, to introduce students to Anishinaabemowin, and to the importance of protecting water and upholding treaty promises. Asha Nagpal is a member of Peel Teacher Local.
Tis story can be connected and used in
lessons throughout the Primary and Junior grades in various curricular areas. For ex- ample, it can be used to discuss the impact of seasonal changes in the Grade 1 Science cur- riculum (Earth and Space Systems strand). It can also be used in Social Studies for People and Environments: Global Communities. In Grade 2, it can be used to support students’ understanding of tradition and heritage as they investigate aspects of the interrelation- ship between the natural environment, in- cluding the climate, of selected communities. Additionally, this story can be connected to the Language curriculum to expand stu- dents’ vocabulary and build their background knowledge in any Primary or Junior grades. As Grandma explains, “it is important to
learn traditional skills and to know how to be prepared. Knowing what to bring, where to go and what to do will help you to always have successful trips.” Tis story provides educators with many opportunities to engage students in learning through an interesting narrative.
Michelle McKay is a member of the Peel Occasional Teacher Local.
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