Belle of Batoche
by Jacqueline Guest
Description:
Publisher's description (Orca Book Publishers, 2004):
Belle, an 11-year-old Métis girl, and Sarah both want the coveted job of church bell ringer. An embroidery contest is held to award the position, and Sarah cheats. Before Belle can expose her, the two are caught up in the advancing forces of General Middleton and his troops as they surround Batoche in the 1885 Riel Resistance. The church bell disappeared that day and remains missing to this day. Written by Jacqueline Guest, who is Métis.
Author's Study Guide (PDF)
Author Biography (https://www.jacquelineguest.com):
Jacqueline is a Metis writer who lives in a log cabin nestled in the pinewoods of the Rocky Mountain foothills of Alberta. Her award winning books are unique in that many of the main characters come from different ethnic backgrounds including First Nations, Inuit or Metis. Her well-drawn characters face issues common to every child such as bullying, blended families and physical challenges and are strong role models for today’s youth. Jacqueline’s historical novels for young readers’ present Canada ’s vibrant past as an exciting read every child will enjoy. Her young adult mysteries address teenage problems in a sensitive way while still providing a great page-turner.
Resource format: Novel
Age recommendation: Grades 3 - 6
Keywords: Métis, Louis Riel, historical, honesty, rebellion, embroidery, visual history, art, Indigenous art, Métis art, Batoche, Battle of Batoche, Hudson's Bay Company, Michif, Rupert's Land, Red River, Red River Rebellion, Church, Catholicism, religion, courage, bravery, North West Resistence
Year of publication: 2004
Publisher information: Orca Book Publishers
Teaching and Learning Ideas
Our team collaborated with new teachers, alumni of the Werklund School of Education’s Bachelor of Education program, to create teaching and learning plans for texts in this website. With audiences ranging from Pre-Kindergarten to Post-Secondary, lesson plans across this resource address a wide range of school subject areas, inclusive approaches, and Indigenous education topics, such as the revitalization of Indigenous languages. As this website was designed with Undergraduate Programs in Education instructors, as well as teachers in mind, connections to UPE courses have been flagged on each lesson plan. These lessons are intended as a starting place for educators, to help you envision ways in which you might bring Indigenous literatures, as well as ways of knowing, being, and doing, into your teaching contexts. Please adapt, use, and share these lessons in ways that are generative for your teaching practice. We offer our sincere thanks to the dozens of new teachers who gifted us with these creative ideas!
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