When the Owl Calls Your Name

Written and illustrated by Alan Syliboy

Nimbus Publishing

978-1-77471-246-7

32 pp.

All ages

November 2023

 

While many children will be familiar with the depiction of owls as wise, old creatures, there are many cultures that associate the beautiful, majestic owl with death. In many Indigenous cultures, the owl may be seen as a harbinger of an impending death, a messenger of the Creator calling someone home. This is the premise of Mi'kmaw artist Alan Syliboy's story of When the Owl Calls Your Name which is based on "The Owl Song" performed by Alan Syliboy and the Thundermakers. (A video of this spoken word performance with music and dance is appended to this review.)

From When the Owl Calls Your Name, written and illustrated by Alan Syliboy

When the Owl Calls Your Name is not a typical picture book for children. It does not have a plotted story, moving from initiating conflict to resolution. It is a lyrical exploration of what it means when the owl calls your name. In text that is so beautiful that it is almost sorrowful, Alan Syliboy tells us that when the owl is heard to call our name, he will lead our spirit to the place of the ancient ones. But the owl is very quiet, flying on silent wings, so you never know when it is coming for you. With that recognition, Alan Syliboy reminds us we can't always be prepared for death so we must live our lives as if it could happen at any moment.

From When the Owl Calls Your Name, written and illustrated by Alan Syliboy

There is a unique essence to When the Owl Calls Your Name that speaks to both the Mi'kmaw culture, in content and art, and the spiritual beliefs of life beyond the corporeal. The messaging is straight-forward, both informative of beliefs and inspirational with regards to life paths, even beyond death. But the artwork will draw readers in, especially with the uniqueness of Alan Syliboy's shapes and line that are very reminiscent of ancient petroglyphs, though far more elaborate. The stylized people have upside-down trapezoid heads without facial features and ferns projecting from their heads, while the spirits are softer, in line and shape, with swirls of a different life within. And the owl is gorgeous, ornate in its face, feathers, and body. Alan Syliboy is very strategic with his use of colour, using greys and white, with only hints of purple, for much of the story when the owl visits and the spirit is leaving the body. But when living in the now or joining ancient ones who would embrace the new arrival, there is warmth and colour within.

From When the Owl Calls Your Name, written and illustrated by Alan Syliboy

When the Owl Calls Your Name is both a book that shares cultural beliefs and an inspirational poem that tells readers what the appearance of the owl means. The owl both portends death but reassures that death heralds the beginning of a new journey, according to the signpost that brought us to this life. It reminds that there is a place for us after death with the ancient ones but also that we never know when the Creator will be calling us home.

 So you must live your life in such a way

That you will be ready for the owl

when he calls your name.

 

• • • • • • • 

The video of the spoken word performance of "The Owl Song" by Alan Syliboy and the Thundermakers, along with members of Symphony Nova Scotia and an interpretive dancer, can be viewed at https://youtu.be/_3THnJGNqPk?si=3PH_q_CQZ0VKy1sc.

 

The Owl Song – Alan Syliboy and the Thundermakers with Symphony Nova Scotia (The Fusion Sessions)

 Posted on April 29, 2021 by Symphony Nova Scotia on YouTube.

Walking Together

Written by Elder Albert D. Marshall and Louise Zimanyi

Illustrated by Emily Kewageshig

Annick Press

978-1-77321-776-5

36 pp.

Ages 4-7

April 2023

Many will be undertaking Earth Day activities this weekend and next, whether picking up garbage, planting trees or setting up rain barrels. But Earth Day should be every day, as we look out for our planet, for its water, land and air, and its plants and animals. And Elder Albert D. Marshall and Louise Zimanyi promote a message of Two-Eyed Seeing in Walking Together so that perhaps we can see the big picture and ensure that caring for our world goes beyond a single day of environmental attention.

From Walking Together by Elder Albert D. Marshall and Louise Zimanyi, illus. by Emily Kewageshig

When we walk together in a good way...

...good things happen and that is the message that resonates throughout Walking Together. It's acknowledging the many gifts that Mother Earth shares. It's hearing the stories that come from the ancestors and paying attention to the song of the spring birds and the awakening of plants and animals who have lain seemingly dormant over winter. It's hearing nature as it talks, whether it's the deer or the beaver or the frog or the flowers. The teachings of Elder Albert D. Marshall of the Moose Clan of Eskasoni Mi'Kmaw Nation in Unama'ki-Cape Breton remind us that to see fully means to blend both the Indigenous lessons of the ancestors and the knowledge that comes from non-Indigenous ways. With Two-Eyed Seeing will come respect for the Land and Water, so that it may continue to sustain us.

We take only if there is enough.

We ask before we take

And we listen for the answer.

We share.

From Walking Together by Elder Albert D. Marshall and Louise Zimanyi, illus. by Emily Kewageshig

The message that Elder Albert D. Marshall offers with education professor Louise Zimanyi is that Mother Earth offers many gifts but gifts that must be respected, not just received. Walking Together is a thoughtful treatise in being grounded in the lessons of the past with those still to come for greater clarity and compassion. It's keeping both eyes and mind open to hearing and listening what lessons are being shared.

From Walking Together by Elder Albert D. Marshall and Louise Zimanyi, illus. by Emily Kewageshig

Those same important messages are conveyed in the Woodland art of Anishnaabe artist Emily Kewageshig who furthers the stories with her illustrations. The boldness of her lines and colours draw readers in to see, to witness, to walk together in landscapes through the seasons. There is a continuity of place and people that comes through Emily Kewageshig's illustrations, drawing from the past and moving to the future. She shows the sense of grounding that comes with connection and the life that comes with respect for Mother Earth.

 

Today, on a day when we celebrate Mother Earth and on every day on which she should be honoured, I recommend taking a walk under the guidance of Elder Albert D. Marshall, Louise Zimanyi and Emily Kewageshig as they remind us how to see best.

🌎 🌎 🌎 🌎 🌎

For teachers, there is a downloadable lesson plan at https://www.annickpress.com/content/download/69286/919542/version/1/file/Walking+Together+Lesson+Plan.pdf

Giju's Gift (Adventures of the Pugulatmu'j)

Written by Brandon Mitchell

Illustrated by Veronika Barinova

HighWater Press

978-1-55379-947-4

88 pp.

Ages 6-9

February 2022

In a new series of graphic novels inspired by traditional stories, author Brandon Mitchell draws on his Mi'kmaq heritage and introduces the pugulatmu'j, the Little People who are guardians of the land.

From Giju's Gift by Brandon Mitchell, illus. by Veronika Barinova

While out strawberry picking, young Mali trips and loses her precious beaded hair clip that once belong to her grandmother (Giju'). But, though it seems no one believes her, Mali knows it was stolen, seeing a little person grab it as well as a basket of strawberries. Her auntie tells her of the pugulatmu'j, the Little People who live high in the mountains and like to play tricks on people to keep them alert. 

 

When she goes outside to play, she catches a little person about to steal a cooling pie. Puug, as he is called, is surprised that she can see him but promises to return her hair clip if she helps him gather some much needed supplies. During their scavenging, they see a jenu, a giant who is consumed by anger and determined to destroy all. 

 

With a little help from Mali's grandfather (Nemijgami) and an important, though chilling, stop at an abandoned residential school, the two new friends are able to put the spirit of jenu at rest and allow Puug his intention to protect the memories of the past.

It's our goal to collect as many moments as we can. (pg. 52)

From Giju's Gift by Brandon Mitchell, illus. by Veronika Barinova

Writing for early readers or early middle graders is a tough job in trying to tell a complete story while being sensitive and cognizant of the readers. Brandon Mitchell is able to create a story that shares elements of Mi'kmaq culture, including its folklore and history, as well as touching on the tragedy of residential schools. But, more than anything, Brandon Mitchell emphasizes the importance of holding onto the memories, whether it's by gathering items as the pugulatmu'j did or cherishing those inherited from our ancestors. To that end, Brandon Mitchell even includes instructions for young readers to create their own memories boxes to commemorate important times. 

Because Brandon Mitchell's story is told as a graphic novel, the visuals are important in conveying more of the story that cannot be told in the limited text of Giju's Gift. This is especially valuable for young readers as they transition from picture books to chapter books. Artist Veronika Barinova makes sure that her illustrations are relatively plain and uncomplicated, with the emphasis on the characters and their actions and vocalizations. She gives the right balance of creepy (jenu) and innocent (Mali) with settings of house and outdoors that are general enough to be familiar. 

With this easy blend of text and art, Brandon Mitchell and Veronika Barinova ensure that young readers will be coaxed to read more about the Adventures of the Pugulatmu'j (this is only the first book in the series) and perhaps learn about the Mi'kmaq, as well as appreciate the importance of memories and traditional stories.

Muinji'j Asks Why: The Story of the Mi'kmaq and the Shubenacadie Residential School

Told by Muinji'j and Shanika MacEachern

Art by Zeta Paul

Nimbus Publishing

978-1-77471-047-0

40 pp.

Ages 5+

January 2022 

Though the horrors of the residential schools has long been known, recent discoveries and revelations have brought shock and questions from more of us. Now imagine being a child whose family's history includes those residential schools. There would be questions, many questions. Hence, Muinji'j Asks Why.

Muinji'j, one of this book's storytellers, is a seven-year-old child who returns from school distraught that that day's schooling included discussions about residential schools that differed from what she'd been told by her Mi'kmaq grandparents, Nana and Papa. They decide it is time to tell her the history of her people.

From Muinji'j Asks Why by Muinji'j and Shanika MacEachern, illus. by Zeta Paul

From the beginnings when the Mi'kmaq were the one people present, Nana and Papa tell of a life born of Mother Earth. They tell of a way of life in which children were taught from their Elders and became knowledge keepers. Then, other people arrived to explore Mi'kma'ki and, what had begun as a relationship of cooperation and sharing, soon became one of control and assimilation. The Mi'kmaq may have been moved to reservations and unable to live their traditional ways but they still held onto their language and beliefs, no matter how much this angered the men who had all the power. And so, in a final push to convert the Mi'kmaq to their ways, they built schools to teach the Canadian way of life. 

From Muinji'j Asks Why by Muinji'j and Shanika MacEachern, illus. by Zeta Paul

The children were taken away by force and in Mi'kma'ki–today's Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island–they went to the Shubenacadie Residential School. There children had their hair, their clothing, their beliefs and their language taken and eventually they started to think the same as the others. They'd been taught to be ashamed of their heritage, and returning home caused them even more confusion, not fitting in as they once did. 

When little Muinji'j asks about the children who died at residential schools, Papa tells her with great sadness of the deaths of children from sicknesses and cruelties, and the overwhelming losses to families who rarely knew of the tragedies until long past.

From Muinji'j Asks Why by Muinji'j and Shanika MacEachern, illus. by Zeta Paul

Finally Nana shares with Muinji'j that, though the schools have closed, the hurts from the suffering have not gone away.

It is hard to heal from suffering that last lifetimes. It is hard to heal when so much was taken away and so much harm was done. But our people work together to heal and to be well. 

Still, by Muinji'j now knowing the stories, the truth can be shared. And with Muinji'j Asks Why, the sharing can continue.

Children hear and want to learn. They want to know the truth but the truth may not always be available or it is provided by a secondary source who doesn't know the reality of that truth. By asking her grandparents, Muinji'j opened herself to learning the truth of their histories and experiences, and with the help of her mother, Shanika MacEachern, Muinji'j (who also goes by Breighlynn) MacEachern passes that story on. That story is inclusive in its breadth of storytelling and in its compassionate approach to a history that is both far-reaching, rich and troubling. With Mi'kmaw artist Zeta Paul's illustrations, the reality and starkness of that story comes to light. Her art is clear and defined, and conveys the pride of culture, the sadness of a people forced to assimilate, the darkness of the residential school experience, and the promise that the stories won't be lost. 

With this picture book and an obligation to work towards healing–Nana is right when she tells Muinji'j that "It is time now for all of Canada to help us heal"–the darkness may allow more light to shine in and from the culture and people of the Mi'kmaq.

Honouring Aboriginal ways: Cultural competence with diverse youngCanLit

This is the final booklist that I have compiled as part of my presentation at the Ontario Library Association's Superconference in Toronto recently all with the aim of helping individuals, schools and other institutions become culturally competent.

Today's post will focus on...

Akilak’s Adventure
by Deborah Kigjugalik Webster
Illus. by Charlene Chua
Inhabit Media
32 pp.
Ages 5-7
2016
Inuit, family, travel, tundra
Review here

Coyote’s New Suit
by Thomas King
Illus. by Johnny Wales
Key Porter
40 pp.
Ages 5-8
2004
Trickster, self-acceptance

The Diamond Willow Walking Stick
by Leah Marie Dorion
Michif translation by Norman Fleury
Gabriel Dumont Institute
48 pp.
Ages 8-12
2012
Métis, generosity, Michif, dual-language

Dragonfly Kites/Pimithaagansa
by Tomson Highway
Illus. by Julie Flett
Fifth House Publishers
32 pp.
Ages 4+
2016
Cree, Northern Manitoba, summer, play
Review here

Fishing with Grandma
by Susan Avingaq and Maren Vsetula
Illus. by Charlene Chua
Inhabit Media
32 pp.
Ages 5-7
2016
Inuit, fishing, grandmothers, Arctic
Review here

Games of Survival: Traditional Inuit Games for Elementary Students
by Johnny Issaluk
Inhabit Media
60 pp.
Ages 7+
2012
Inuit, Arctic, games, skills, survival
Review here

Grandmother Ptarmigan
by Qaunaq Mikkigak and Joanne Schwartz
Illus. by Qin Leng
Inhabit Media
24 pp.
Ages 0-4
2013
Origin story, Inuit
Review here

The Hill
by Karen Bass
Pajama Press
256 pp.
Ages 12+
2016
Cree, survival, legends, supernatural beliefs, tolerance
Review here

I Am Not a Number
by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer
Illus. by Gillian Newland
Second Story Press
32 pp.
Ages 7+
2016
Non-fiction, residential schools, First Nations
Review here

Looks Like Daylight
by Deborah Ellis
Groundwood Books
256 pp.
Ages 12+
2013
Abuse, residential schools, ostracism
Review here

Mingan My Village
Poems by Innu schoolchildren
Illus. by Rogé
Fifth House
42 pp.
Ages 7-11
2014
Innu, Mingan Indian Reserve, Quebec

Nokum is My Teacher
by David Bouchard
Art by Allen Sapp
Red Deer Press
32 pp.
All ages
2015
Cree, CD, questions, dual-language, grandmothers

Not My Girl
by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
Illus. by Gabrielle Grimard
Annick Press
36 pp.
Ages 6-9
2014
Inuit, residential school, family, language
Review here

The Owl and the Lemming
by Roselynn Akulukjuk
Illus. by Amanda Sandland
Inhabit Media
32 pp.
Ages 5-7
2016
Owls, lemming, predator-prey
Review here

P’ésk’a and the First Salmon Ceremony
by Scott Ritchie
Groundwood Books
32 pp.
Ages 4-7
2015
Sts’ailes, salmon, ceremony

The Sharing Circle
by Theresa Meuse
Illus. by Arthur Stevens
Nimbus Publishing
52 pp.
Ages 8-13
2003
First Nations, Mi’kmaq

Shi-Shi-Etko
by Nicola I. Campbell
Illus. by Kim La Fave
Groundwood Books
32 pp.
Ages 4-7
2005
Residential school

Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox
by Danielle Daniel
Groundwood Books
36 pp.
Ages 4-7
2015
Anishinaabe, totem animals
Review here

Sweetest Kulu
by Celina Kalluk
Illus. by Alexandria Neonakis
Inhabit Media
32 pp.
Ages 0-4
2014
Babies, Inuit, animals, Arctic, lullaby
Review here

Downloadable booklist available here

Honouring all languages: Cultural competence with diverse youngCanLit

Today's post, the second in seven, continues the series of booklists I compiled for and presented at the Ontario Library Association's Superconference in Toronto recently to help individuals, schools and other institutions become culturally competent.

Today's post will focus on...

Alego
by Ningeokuluk Teevee
Groundwood Books
24 pp.
Ages 3-7
2009
Inuktitut (Inuit)

The Boy in the Attic
by Paul Yee
Illus. by Gu Xiong
Groundwood Books
32 pp.
Ages 6-9
1998
Mandarin/Cantonese (Chinese)

Caribou Song/ Atihko Nikamon
by Tomson Highway
Illus. by John Rombough
Fifth House Publishers
32 pp.
Ages 4+
2013
Cree
Reviewed here

The Diamond Willow Walking Stick
by Leah Marie Dorion
Michif trans. by Norman Fleury
Gabriel Dumont Institute
48 pp.
Ages 8-12
2012
Michif (Métis)

Dragonfly Kites/ Pimithaagansa
by Tomson Highway
Illus. by Julie Flett
Fifth House Publishers
32 pp.
Ages 4+
2016
Cree
Reviewed here

The Finding Place
by Julie Hartley
Red Deer Press,
244 pp.
Ages 10-14
2015
Mandarin (Chinese)
Reviewed here

Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan's Rescue from War
by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Pajama Press
99 pp.
Ages 10-15
2011
Vietnamese, English
Reviewed here

Long Powwow Nights
by David Bouchard, Pam Aleekuk, and Patsy Paul-Martin
Illus. by Leonard Paul
Red Deer Press
32 pp.
Ages 8-14
2009
Mi’kmaq

My Two Grandmothers
by Diane Carmel Léger
Illus. by Jean-Luc Trudel
Nimbus Publishing
32 pp.
Ages 4-8
2016
French Acadian, Scottish
Reviewed here

Niwechihaw/ I Help
by Caitlin Dale Nicholson
Trans. by Leona Morin-Neilson
Groundwood Books
24 pp.
Ages 4-6
2008
Cree

No Borders/ Kigliqangittuq
by Darla Evyagotailak  and Mindy Willett
Photos by Tessa Macintosh
Fifth House Publishers
40 pp.
Ages 8-12
2013
Inuktitut (Inuit)

Nokum is My Teacher
by David Bouchard
Art by Allen Sapp
Red Deer Press
32 pp.
All ages
2015
Cree

Norman, Speak!
by Caroline Adderson
Illus. by Qin Leng
Groundwood Books
32 pp.
Ages 4-7
2014
Mandarin (Chinese)
Reviewed here

Racines
by Marianne Ferrer
Monsieur Ed
16 pp.
Ages 4-8
2016
French
Reviewed here

The Secret of Your Name
by David Bouchard
Illus. by Dennis Weber
CD performed by John Arcand
Red Deer Press
32 pp.
Ages 8-13
2009
Michif (Métis)

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey
by Margriet Ruurs
Artwork by Nizar Ali Badr
Orca Book Publishers
28 pp.
All ages
2016
Arabic (Syria)
Reviewed here

The Trouble with Dilly
by Rachna Gilmore
HarperCollins Canada
 162 pp.
Ages 7-10
2009
Hungarian, Punjabi (Indian)

Download the complete booklist here