Owls See Clearly at Night

Publisher's Description (Simply Read Books):
From Atayookee! to Lii Zyeu: this simply, elegantly illustrated picture book introduces young and old alike to the unique Michif language of the Metis people.

Author Biography (Simply Read Books):
Julie Flett is a Vancouver-based Metis and Cree artist and illustrator who incorporates photography, drawing, and painting into her practice. Born in Toronto, Julie has spent much of the last two decades in Western Canada. She began her studies in textile design at the Alberta College of Art. Following two years of studio at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, she completed a Fine Arts degree at Concordia University in 1997. Returning to Vancouver she worked as a coordinator for a visual communication program for First Nations and was involved with a range of advocacy and support work for women in Vancouver's Downtown East Side. Julie was the recipient of the Canadian Native Arts Foundation Visual Arts Acquisition Program in 1993, and was a finalist for two BC Book Prizes in the Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize category for her illustration work on the book The Moccasins, authored by Earl Einarson (2004) and Zoe and the Fawn, authored by Catherine Jameson (2007). Zoe and the Fawn was awarded a Medal in the category of Multicultural Picture Book in the 2007 Moonbeam Children’s Books Awards. Julie has a long-held interest in folk tales, trickster stories and picture books. She is the recipient of the Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize and nominee for the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature for her book for Owls See Clearly at Night (Lii Yiiboo Nayaapiwak lii Swer): A Michif Alphabet (L’alfabet di Michif ).

Resource type: Picturebook

Age recommendation: Grades K-3, 4-6

Keywords: Metis, Michif, Prairies, Cree, French, Metis culture, alphabet, Buffalo, bannock, Jig, canoe, berries, syrup, moccasins, fiddle, pronunciation guide, language revitalization, language history, Michif introduction

Year of publication: 2010

Publisher information: Simply Read Books