Resources to Support The Spirit of Alliances: Using Bear, Wolf, Raven and Salmon to Support Social/Emotional Learning

The Spirit of Alliances logo acknowledges all Aboriginal Nations across the country working together side by side, as equals, to build on cultural revitalization and preservation. Each color and shape within this design symbolizes history, wisdom, pride, prosperity, determination and optimism. Jamin Zuroski

This February I was lucky to team up with Laurie Bayly, classroom teacher and counsellor, and Jenna Peterson, an ELL and Aboriginal support teacher, who is from 'Namgis First Nation of the Kwakwaka'wakw from Alert Bay, BC. These two wonderful educators have collaborated in delivering instruction that integrates aboriginal perspectives for all students. We worked together to present a workshop called: Bringing the Spirit of Alliances to Life: Using Bear, Wolf, Raven and Salmon to Support Social/Emotional Learning in the Elementary Classroom.  The Spirit of Alliances is part of our school district's Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement. 

The Aboriginal Nations Education Department has a list of books about each animal on their web site. Digital copies of Laurie Bayly's The Four Stones and The Footprints are available at these links.

As my part of the presentation, I prepared this annotated list of resources to use not only for teaching the animals but for integrating and reinforcing the concepts on an ongoing basis in the classroom.  Many of these resources are Aboriginal, but not all of them. I believe that part of integrating Aboriginal ways of learning into multicultural classrooms is to relate the ideas to a variety of texts, both Aboriginal and non-aboriginal. In this way we can demonstrate to students that these Aboriginal ideas apply across situations and cultures to help us understand our roles, rights and responsibilities within our community. 

http://bit.ly/2me8XcF

This lush picture book provides First Nations images of the four animals of The Spirit of Alliances along with a brief description. 

http://amzn.to/2lZWnwZ

A beautiful book by Peggy Christian about the different types of rocks you might find - skipping rocks, wishing rocks, worry rocks, memory rocks.... This is a fun book to read before you go looking for rocks for the animal pictures. It explores the emotional connections we have to certain rocks because of the way they look or feel. 

http://amzn.to/2leiZp5

Everybody Needs a Rock by Byrd Baylor talks about how to choose a special rock that speaks only to you. Although Byrd Baylor's books are illustrated in a South West style and are carried by Strong Nations, I can't seem to find whether or not she is an indigenous person herself. I would not present this book as an indigenous text but rather as a great book about how to think of your special rock before choosing it to represent one of the four animals.

Bear

https://tinyurl.com/jmgkr87

The Bear protects and keeps us safe. The Bear reminds us to listen to our hearts and helps us pay attention to what is going on inside our bodies. The Bear helps us to understand what we are feeling. The Bear knows when we need to go into our den to rest and take care of ourselves. (Bayly, L. 2015. The four stones. Aboriginal Nations Education Division/GVSD61, Victoria, BC. p.9.)

http://amzn.to/2lg4p19

Accessible non-fiction with facts about bears and how they look after themselves.

http://amzn.to/2l69p7S

This story by Alison Gear in consultation with members of the Haida Nation outlines the seasons of the Haida Moon by following a year in the life of a bear.  Asking the students to focus on the actions of the bear will guide them to thinking about how the bear cares for herself.

A Quiet Place by Douglas Wood is a lovely book about a child finding the perfect quiet place to just be himself.

This sweet story by Martin Waddell follows Big Bear and Little Bear as they go for a walk on a snowy day.  All along the way, Little Bear is frightened by strange sounds.  Big Bear comforts Little Bear each time and the two finally arrive home to the comfort of the big chair in their cave. It is great for introducing the idea of returning to a safe place to feel grounded and deal with problems calmly.

 

 

Wolf

https://tinyurl.com/grsd3ma

The Wolf reminds us that we are interconnected and we are all related. This means that we are one with each other and with the land. We take care of each other. We take care of this place. The Wolf helps us to remember that everyone is welcome here. Our families and our community and our school all work together. This is our strong circle of support.(Bayly, L. 2015. The four stones. Aboriginal Nations Education Division/GVSD61, Victoria, BC. p.10.)

http://amzn.to/2l6cOn3

Local author Diane Swanson provides this accessible non-fiction with basic facts about wolves and their social organization.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30209067-lupe

This informational book by Rebecca L. Grambo written in a narrative style follows a wolf pup as she becomes socialized into her pack. I would choose specific sections of this long text to read aloud for students to illustrate how social wolves are. 

http://amzn.to/2mr7GLs

Shi-shi-etko is a powerful story of a girl leaving for residential school.  The story of how Shi-shi-etko prepares to leave emphasizes her connection to the land and people of her home.  The residential school curriculum for grade 5 on the ANED website has a great lesson plan for exploring the connection to place and community in this book. 

http://bit.ly/2lQsiQm

How Food Was Given, one of the stories in Kou-Skelowh published by Theytus Books, describes how each animal chief gave something so that the people would have food.   "That is how giving and helping one another was and still is taught to our people."  Students could discuss how each of them helps their community, how Skimheest set an example that others followed, how much more useful the gifts were when everyone gave something, that sometimes the smallest person can give the most important gift.

Despite having a bear as the main character, this powerful story exemplifies the gifts of wolf - kindness, respect, empathy, trust, patience, inclusiveness.

http://amzn.to/2ml6TfQ

Jacqueline Woodson's powerful story of a girl who does not speak up until it is too late and must live with the regret is a touching way to introduce the importance of using the gifts of wolf to keep our community safe. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raven

https://tinyurl.com/gsb7j7v

The Raven is clever. The Raven is drawn to the light and helps us to see that we all have special gifts to offer. The Raven reminds us that we all have skills and we are capable. When we feel like we have lost our inner light, the Raven helps us to find it. Each one of us is filled with light. The Raven helps us to discover and express our unique gift.  (Bayly, L. 2015. The four stones. Aboriginal Nations Education Division/GVSD61, Victoria, BC. p.11)

http://amzn.to/2mecR58

This Backyard Animals book is very accessible with useful facts about Ravens.  (Note: The use of the term 'indian' in this book is appropriate for where it was published. In the US many First Nations people prefer to be addressed as American Indians.)

https://medicinewheel.education/ravens-feast/

Raven's Feast by Haida author, Kung Jaadee or Roberta Kennedy is about Raven inviting people from all four directions to a feast and giving "each person a unique and special gift that they could carry in their hearts" - a great way to introduce the idea that we each have special gifts to share. 

http://amzn.to/2kROHgI

Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd's story of Raven Brings the Light is a beautifully illustrated edition that highlights how Raven uses his special gifts to bring light to the people living in darkness.

http://amzn.to/2lwJ9Hb

David Bouchard's Rainbow Crow (not a raven!) describes each animal's special talents and why the crow is chosen to visit the creator and ask for help. In using her special gift, her beautiful voice, to help the animals, Crow loses not only her voice, but her beautiful plumage, and nearly loses her life. In return for her selflessness, the creator rewards her with new gifts. Many editions of this book come with a CD of the story read by David Bouchard.  The introduction is a wonderful piece teaching students how to listen respectfully to a story, being wholly present. I often read this part before introducing other stories too.

Salmon

https://tinyurl.com/zwsymf3

The Salmon reminds us of our courage and resilience. Even when something is very hard, the Salmon reminds us that we will get through it. The Salmon knows how to move through the river and to navigate strong currents. When we need help moving through different parts of our day, the Salmon can teach us. The Salmon knows the way. (Bayly, L. 2015. The four stones. Aboriginal Nations Education Division/GVSD61, Victoria, BC. p.12)

http://amzn.to/2mdRcu6

Great non-fiction book about salmon to illustrate salmon's gifts. 

http://amzn.to/2ly1FPy

This lovely story reprinted from the 1920s describes the life of a salmon in folksy detail that brings to life the gifts of the salmon.

http://amzn.to/2lww2pk

The Little Hummingbird by Michael Nicoll (Yahgulanaas) tells the story of a forest fire which frightened away all the animals except the little hummingbird who flew back and forth carrying a single drop of water to do all she could to stop the fire. The larger animals are inspired by her persistence and bravery and pitch in to carry water too.