This selection of stories from the children's collection represents the rich traditions of oral storytelling and reflects the cultural traditions of Aboriginal peoples throughout North America:
Two young people meet at a hoop dance and afterwards the girl waits to hear the sound of the boy's flute. Each time she hears his music she sends him a message until the day she no longer hears his playing.
Nanabosho Dances written by Joe McLellan and illustrated by Rhian Brynjolson In this quietly told legend Kitchi Manitou presents Nanabosho with a gift of tobacco. Nanabosho promptly forgets the tobacco and then has to figure out what to do. This Anishinabe legend tells how the hoop dance started and is beautifully illustrated with designs based on traditional patterns. Other Nanabosho stories include The Birth of Nanabosho and Nanabosho Steals Fire. Who-Paddled-Backward-With-Trout by Howard Norman with art by Ed Young
Young Trout-With-Flattened-Nose is unhappy with his name and he runs away from his village and promises to come back when he finds a better one. But somehow in this Northern Manitoban Cree story he ends up with a name he never would have chosen!
This Swampy Cree story tells how the animals of long ago decided to share summer and winter and how Fisher became the Big Dipper. The dramatic black-and-white drawings were awarded the Canada Council prize for best illustration.
In this tender tale of longing, Two-Feather meets a beautiful woman who shows him the secret of fire. Then Two-Feather must follow her commands to bring the gift of corn to the world. The rich and haunting oil illustrations emphasize the unrequited love of Two-Feather for the Corn Goddess.
Long ago no one was ever sick; no one died. But one day the Great Spirit is disobeyed and things begin to change forever. Sickness and death came to the world and the people had to learn how to heal themselves with the gifts of the earth.
This collection of shorter legends includes many stories about Wesuketchuk which are perfect for telling to a group. It also contains the story of the White Buffalo and of Qu'Appelle.
Each chapter in this book contains two stories - the first is based on archaeological research and the second is a spiritual teaching or history lesson by an elder.
This collection of wonderful animal stories about Fox, the trickster; the monster, Double Face; Iktomi, the Spiderman; and many others is delicately illustrated.
The stories in this collection can be called "lesson stories" and are drawn from several aboriginal groups in North American including Inuit, Abenaki, Tsimshian, Micmac, Anishinabe, and Siksika.
In this collection of celestial tales from six regions of North America, Monroe includes the legends of the Pleiades and the Big Dipper and provides useful notes to use with each retelling.
Tyya is transformed into a white caribou by a shaman and Etosack sets out to find her. The illustrations for this Inuit legend are done with shadow puppets and instructions for making a shadow- puppet theatre are included.
Rainbow Crow retold by Nancy Van Laan and illustrated by Beatriz Vidal When the weather changes and constant snow threatens the animals the crow is chosen to fly up and receive the gift of fire from the Great Sky Spirit.
Mother Earth gives a poor young boy the gift of a white pony in this poignant tale of courage and faith. The artful illustrations convey the spirit of the ancient story.
Where the Buffaloes Begin told by Olaf Baker and illustrated by Stephen Gammell A courageous boy, Little Wolf longs to find the lake where the buffaloes begin. One morning he unhobbles his pony and heads south to start an adventure which ends in an unforgettable ride.
The Story of Jumping Mouse: A Native American Legend retold and illustrated by John Steptoe A small mouse journeys into a world which is filled with fear and pain. He meets the challenges and is transformed by Magic Frog into a soaring eagle.
Crow Chief by Paul Goble This strong and amusing myth of the Plains Indians is about how Crow Chief was tricked by Falling Star. Then all of the creatures of the earth lived in harmony and learned to share.
The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin and illustrated by David Shannon In this powerful variation of the Cinderella story, the Rough-Face Girl and her two beautiful but evil sisters compete for the affections of the Invisible Being.
Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back: A Native American Year of Moons by Joseph Bruchac and Jonathan London and illustrated by Thomas Locker Each moon of the year holds a story and is powered by the turtle who holds the mystery of the moon in the shell of its back. This collection of poems based on legend gives voice to the wonders of the seasons.
Doctor Coyote: A Native American Aesop's Fables retold by John Bier-horst and illustrated by Wendy Watson These little stories are based on an early copy of Aesop that found its way to Mexico. The fables were put into the Aztec language and Coyote, the trickster, became the hero of the adventures.
Baby Rattlesnake told by Te Ata and adapted by Lynn Moroney with illustrations by Veg Reisberg Baby Rattlesnake misuses his rattle before he's ready and tries to scare people. But he learns an important lesson in this brightly illustrated Chickasaw tale.
Raven Returns the Water by Anne Cameron All the water in the world has disappeared and Raven goes out into the world to get it. An unsharing frog has it all and Raven soon teaches him a lesson. Some of the other tales in this series include Lazy Boy, Orca's Song, Spider Woman, and How Raven Freed the Moon.
Lightning Inside You and Other Native American Riddles edited by John Bierhorst and illustrated by Louise Brierly There have been many riddle books but this is the first to gather the riddles from twenty languages. The riddles are carefully researched and are full of fun.
This video from the National Film Board includes five stories - Christmas at Moose Factory; Salmon People; The Man, The Snake and the Fox; Medoonak the Stormmaker; and Summer Legend.
Nanabush and the Ducks; Saulteaux Legend told by Linda Pelly and illustrated by Raymond McCallum Nanabush tricks the ducks into coming into his new lodge and he captures them to have a fine meal. But Nanabush tries to have a little nap while cooking the ducks and unwelcome visitors steal his meal.
Ytek and the Arctic Orchid; An Inuit Legend told by Garnet Hewitt with illustrations by Heather Woodall Becoming a shaman would bring Ytek a great deal of honour and his most important task would be conquering a Tornrak - a wild spirit. This beautifully illustrated tale from the Barrens area begins Ytek's mystical adventure.
How Glooskap Outwits the Ice Giants and Other Tales of the Maritime Indians retold by Howard Norman and illustrated by Michael McCurdy Six humourous stories about the giant Glooskap are told in a dramatic style. Black-and-white wood engravings accompany each tale from this rich storytelling tradition.
Dancing Drum; A Cherokee Legendadapted by Terri Cohlene and illustrated by Charles Reasoner Long ago when the Sun became angry, Dancing Drum was chosen to go on an important mission. When he does not obey the Shaman there is havoc.
