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Shin-chi's Canoe

Elementary

Description

This vividly illustrated book describes the experiences of six year old Shin-Chi as he leaves home with his older sister, Shi-shi-etko, to attend school for the first time.  As they rattle along in an old cattle truck his sister urges him to always remember everything special he has left behind.  Separated from his sister, his community and his culture Shin-Chi finds hope in his father's tiny hand-carved canoe that he sends on a journey home with the spring salmon.  The touching story of Shin-Chi provides an authentic reading experience for young students learning about the injustices of Canada's Residential School system.

Click here to download the teacher's guide

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This book is the sequel to Nicola Campbell’s first book “Shi-shi-etko” which tells the story of Shin-Chi’s older sister as she faces the realities of life in a residential school.  Both books support discussions with young children who could have many questions about what children endured in this system.  There is also a strong message about the resiliency of youth which can create hope for a changing world.  Students could explore this concept in relation to current day issues surrounding the universal rights of children.

An action project associated with this story could have a class working with a local First Nation's elder to create their own miniature canoes.  The tiny canoes could then be released into a local waterway at a community commemorative event that recognizes the survivors of residential schools.

Relevant Curriculum Units

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        • Regional and Global Communities: Canada is made up of many diverse regions and communities
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      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Global Indigenous Peoples: Learning about indigenous peoples nurtures multicultural awareness and respect for diversity.
        • Global Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous knowledge is passed down through oral history, traditions, and collective memory.
        • Global Indigenous Peoples: People from diverse cultures and societies share some common experiences and aspects of life.

Themes Addressed

Human Rights (2)

  • Cultural Diversity
  • Social Justice

Indigenous Knowledge (1)

  • Rituals, Spirituality and Worldviews

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