Dakota parle des traités
by Kelly Crawford
Dakota Parle des Traités is French language edition of Dakota Talks about Treaties published by the Union of Ontario of Indians in 2017. This 8-page illustrated book designed for primary level students explains the importance of treaties to Indigenous students as well as non-Indigenous readers. Told from Dakota's perspective the book begins as Dakota gives a speech to her classmates. She recounts her family's trip to a celebration of the Treaty of Niagara in Niagara Falls. This is where Dakota saw wampum belts and heard speeches about the history of this treaty. She also explained to her class that the treaties are living agreements and sacred promises. The final page provides a few suggestions for teachers who explain to students that we are all treaty people. Simple sentences, colour illustrations and large font make this an excellent student resource about treaties and wampum for primary and junior level readers. Highly recommended.
Published: 2017
Originally written in Anishinabemowin, English and French
Number of pages: 8
Recommended FSL Programs and Grades
French Immersion Grade 2-3
Race/Ethnic/Geographic Information
Author: Indigenous (Nippissing First Nation, Ontario)
Characters: Indigenous
Setting: Niagara Falls
Notes from a teacher-reader
QR codes that teachers can use to learn about what treaties are
Dakota talks about her experience with the 250th anniversary of Niagra, and going to Niagara Falls with her family
Another book by this author: Alex partage sa ceinture de Wampum (explains sacred character of wampums and what they mean)
www.native-land.ca - website that shows the treaties and the territories. Can be used with students. Reminder of call to action for students.
Opportunity to understand what happened with the agreements that were made and/ or not honoured
Feel free to contact the teacher-reader, Karen Devonish-Mazzotta, at kdevonish-mazzotta@edu.yorku.ca if you have questions about this novel.