Wisahkecahk Flies to the Moon

Publisher's description (Pemmican Publications, 2015): 
This dual language Picturebook is written in English and Plains Cree. Presented simultaneously in English and Cree, this is the imaginative story of Wisahkecahk's brief but adventurous visit to the moon!

Creator biographies (University of Saskatchewan and Annick Press): 
Freda Ahenakew was born on the Ahtahkakoop First Nations Reserve on February 11, 1932; she married and moved to the Muskeg Lake Reserve. As Cree speakers, her eldest children struggled when they entered school; to prevent this occurring with her younger children, only English was spoken at home. This meant, however, that her own children were not grounded in Cree, their mother tongue. Looking for solutions to the critical cultural issue of language retention, Ahenakew completed her grade twelve and began work as the Education Liaison Worker with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indians. Wishing to further her education, she convocated from the Institute of Teachers’ Education Program (1979), taught in the field, and enrolled at the University of Manitoba. She convocated in 1983 with a Master of Arts Degree majoring in Cree Linguistics. Ahenakew then taught for the University of Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, the University of Calgary and, until her retirement, at the University of Manitoba. She also served as director of the Saskatchewan Indian Languages Institute (Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre). Ahenakew’s thesis, “Cree Language Structures: A Cree Approach” became her first publication (1987).

Sherry Farrell Racette (Métis/Algonquin/Irish) is an interdisciplinary scholar with an active artistic and curatorial practice. She was born in Manitoba and is a member of Timiskaming First Nation in Quebec (unceded Algonquin territory). Prior to her doctoral studies, she had an extensive career in Indigenous education. Her work as a cultural historian is grounded in archival research and object-based study in museum collections with an emphasis on retrieving women’s voices and recovering aesthetic knowledge.In addition to her painting, beading and textile work, she has illustrated eight children's books, collaborating with some of Canada's most noted Indigenous authors. Farrell Racette is currently teaching in the Department of Visual Arts, Faculty of Media, Art and Performance at the University of Regina. 

Resource format: Picturebook

Age recommendation: Grade 1 - 6

Keywords: Cree, dual language, language revitalization, cultural learning, storytelling, story telling, moon, ride, star gazing, journey, crane, tired, elongated legs, paint, crimson spot, stars, constellations, turtle island, Big Dipper, moon phases, crescent moon, new moon, soft spot, muskeg, sky science

Year of publication: 2015

Publisher information: Pemmican Publications