Spirit Bear: Fishing for Knowledge, Catching Dreams: Based on a True Story

Publisher's Description (Strong Nations): Spirit Bear is off on another adventure! Follow him as he learns about traditional knowledge and Residential Schools from his Uncle Huckleberry and his friend, Lak'insxw, before heading to Algonquin territory, where children teach him about Shannen's Dream. Spirit Bear and his new friends won't stop until Shannen's Dream of "safe and comfy schools" comes true for every First Nations student. 

Dear Uncle Huckleberry, Look up at the stars tonight.  
If you look closely, you'll see Shannen Koostachin lighting the way.  
Shannen knew that school should be a time for dreams and that every child deserves to have a safe and comfy school, a proper education, and to feel proud of who they are. Every child is sacred.  
Did you know that many First Nations schools get less money from the government than other schools? Shannen knew this was wrong. And so do I.  
And like my mom, Mary the Bear, always says, when we see something wrong, we need to help make things right!  
Did you know that Lak'insxw means "grizzly bear" in Gitxsan language?  

Author Biography (Strong Nations): 
Cindy Blackstock - A member of the Gitksan First Nation, Cindy has been working for First Nations children for over 25 years, first as child welfare worker and now as the Executive Director of the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society and Professor of Social Work at McGill University. 

Amanda Strong - Amanda is a Michif filmmaker, media artist, and stop motion artist currently based out of the unceded Coast Salish territory also known as Vancouver. Amanda's work explores ideas of blood memory and Indigenous ideology. Her films have screened internationally, most notably at Cannes, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Vancouver International Film Festival, and the Ottawa International Animation Festival. Amanda has received numerous awards for her work, including the K.M. Hunter Artist Award for Film and Video, the Vancouver Mayors Arts Awards for Emerging Film and Media Artist, and the Clyde Gilmour Technicolor Award, selected by Alanis Obomsawin. 
 

Resource type: Picturebook

Age recommendation: Grades K-3, 4-6, 7

Keywords: Indigenous awareness, Dreams, Algonquin territory, schools, education, Indigenous identities, animals, unity, land, place, environment, fishing, lake, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council

Year of publication:  2018

Publisher information: First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada