We Are All Connected: Sto:lo, Riparian Forests and Black Bears

Publisher's Description (Strong Nations): “We Are All Connected” is a series that explores how we all live together in a shared balance upon Mother Earth. Each book explores a specific ecosystem with a focus on one animal and its adaptations for survival within that ecosystem. Indigenous interviewees, each living within the same area, have responded to strategic questions as to how their community interacts with the land, their traditional territory. Explore each text with a sense of inquiry in mind.

8 We Are All Connected Titles: Coast Salish, Coastal Rainforests and Cougars Haisla, Rivers and Chinook Salmon Inuit, Tundra and Ravens Lakota, Mixed Grasslands and Bald Eagles Métis, Wetlands and Mallards Nisga'a, Ponds and Leopard Frogs Nlaka'pamux, Grasslands and Rattlesnakes Sto:lo, Riparian Forests and Black Bears Each title covers the following curricular areas. Traditional storytelling and artwork begin each title from the focus Indigenous territory. Science: Biodiversity, classification, life cycles, food chains, food webs and connections between living and non-living things are just some of the science concepts included in each book. Social Studies: Contemporary and historical Indigenous cultural knowledge flows throughout each book. Local land forms, gatherings, harvesting practices and government are some of the social studies concepts included in each book.

Creator Biographies (Strong Nations):
Rod Peters is from the Seabird Island Band within the Sto:lo Nation in BC. He has worked in education for 30 years. He is married with five grown children.

Terri Mack, Kay Kwee Kway Kwa, is Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala on her late mother’s side and Hungarian on her late father’s side. Terri worked for twenty years in the education system as an Aboriginal Education Assistant, School District Aboriginal Resource Coordinator, and Community Literacy Coordinator for Stz’uminus First Nation. Terri was the co-founder of Strong Nations Publishing and has edited and authored many books for young readers. Brenda Boreham has over 30 years of classroom experience. She presents workshops of literature-based themes and literacy strategies and has written a number of resources for teachers. She is also an author of children's books and an artist.

Resource type: Other non-fiction, book (fiction/ poetry), teaching materials

Age recommendation: Grades 4-6

Keywords: Black Bear, Coast Salish, vertebrates, mammals, appearance, food, sustenance, food chain, food web, life cycle, habitat, tree, plant, territory, languages, traditional food, governmental structure, human activity, Krauss, hunter, Robin, Seabird Island, connected, Sto:lo, caretakers, Fraser River, salmon, ecosystem, biome, predators, Spirit Bears, apex predator, prey, scavenge, omnivore, range, territory, red cedar, stinging nettle, Halq'emeylem Language, Gitxsan

Year of publication: 2017

Publisher information: Strong Nations