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Stolen Words

Elementary

Description

Stolen Words is storybook that shares the beautiful relationship between a little girl and her grandfather. While spending time together the little girl asks her grandfather how to say something in his Cree language.  He admits to her that he does not know because his language was stolen from him a long time ago when he was "away".  The little girl sets out to help her grandfather find his language again. This story will help younger students begin to understand the inter-generational impact of residential schools. 

A teacher's guide for the book can be found here.

 

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

Stolen Words is a beautiful storybook that will help younger students begin to understand the complicated issues surrounding residential schools. The book is best suited for an elementary classroom.  It can be used to create learning opportunities in character education, social justice, and social studies.  A teacher's guide with a variety of activity suggestions is linked in the book description.

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Themes Addressed

Human Rights (2)

  • Cultural Diversity
  • Social Justice

Indigenous Knowledge (1)

  • Rituals, Spirituality and Worldviews