Description
The Sharing Circle: Stories about First Nations Culture published by Nimbus Publishing is written by Mi’kmaw children’s book author Theresa Meuse-Dallien and illustrated by Mi’kmaw artist Arthur Stevens provides young readers a basic understanding of First Nations cultural teachings. Through the use of seven brief stories about a young First Nation boy and his family, the author introduces information about the Eagle Feather; Sweetgrass, Sage, Cedar, and Tobacco; Medicine Pouch; Dreamcatcher; The Talking Circle; The Medicine Wheel; and the Drum. In the first vignette Matthew and his father are out walking in the woods and they spot an eagle. This is an opportunity for Matthew and his father to talk about the importance of the eagle and the eagle feather for all First Nations. The next story is about Matthew and his friend who are playing in Matthew's room. Matthew and his friend enjoy playing with toys and his friend notices that the room has all the same kind of toys with one exception. So Matthew explains the special birchbark box on his dresser. Each brief story adds information about First Nations cultural teachings seamlessly. The colour illustrations add information to the stories. The book works on several levels as it shows a First Nation boy and his family interacting in contemporary society. This is a positive book that can be used to introduce cultural understandings in context with sensitivity and clarity. Highly recommended education resource for students, teachers, and librarians. Primary Spring 2012