Siha Tooskin Knows the Gifts of His People - by Charlene Bearhead & Wilson Bearhead (Paperback)

About the Book

Paul Wahasaypa--Siha Tooskin--learns about the origins of many modern conveniences on his walk home from school with Ade (his father). There's so much to learn about the earliest forms of technology, travel, medicine, and food from right here on Turtle Island.

Book Synopsis

Transportation, housing, agriculture, communications...there are so many modern conveniences. But are they really modern? Where did they really come from?

Paul Wahasaypa--Siha Tooskin--will learn about their origins and more on his walk home from school with Ade (his father). There's so much to learn about the earliest forms of technology, travel, medicine, and food from right here on Turtle Island. Come along with Paul and Ade to hear all about the gifts of his people.

The Siha Tooskin Knows series uses vivid narratives and dazzling illustrations in contemporary settings to share stories about an 11-year-old Nakota boy.

Review Quotes

Among The Globe and Mail's twelve children's books that will inspire and enlighten

There are many reasons to love this series. Highly Recommended.

This is an easy book to make children think about their surroundings [and] it would be excellent for kindergarten teachers to plan their teachings.

This is much-needed representation in children's books and it does a great job of dispelling myths about Native American culture and teaching some history...I plan to check out other books in the series with my kids.

5 out of 5 stars

While the reading level of Siha Tooskin Knows the Gifts of His People is designed for elementary students, the content is perfect for K-8. It talks about the struggle Siha Tooskin faces in appreciating and understanding his culture...with the inclusion of a few words in the Nakota language. Overall I think this is a worthwhile book for any classroom or home library.

About the Author

Charlene Bearhead is an educator and Indigenous education advocate. She was the first Education Lead for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and the Education Coordinator for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Charlene was recently honoured with the Alumni Award from the University of Alberta and currently serves as the Director of Reconciliation for Canadian Geographic. She is a mother and a grandmother who began writing stories to teach her own children as she raised them. Charlene lives near Edmonton, Alberta with her husband Wilson.

Wilson Bearhead, a Nakota Elder and Wabamun Lake First Nation community member in central Alberta (Treaty 6 territory), is the recent recipient of the Canadian Teachers' Federation Indigenous Elder Award. Currently, he is the Elder for Elk Island Public Schools. Wilson's grandmother Annie was a powerful, positive influence in his young life, teaching him all of the lessons that gave him the strength, knowledge, and skills to overcome difficult times and embrace the gifts of life.

Chloe Bluebird Mustooch is from the Alexis Nakoda Sioux Nation of Northern Alberta, and is a recent graduate of the Emily Carr University of Art & Design. She is a seamstress, beadworker, illustrator, painter, and sculptor. She was raised on the reservation, and was immersed in hunting, gathering, and traditional rituals, and has also lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, an area rich in art and urbanity.