Notes from a teacher-reader

• Popular book in schools. 

• Written by Indigenous author. 

• Main character is Indigenous, and exploring her identity as as Indigenous person

• Represents joy and excellence: book about sharing feelings and emotions and connection to animals

• Note from author that explains about different totem animals

• Link from Mandisa: https://www.scholastic.ca/editions/livres/app/webroot/img/activities/Activite-Parfois-je-suis-un-renard.pdf 

• Wondering: how to avoid veering into cultural appropriation?

• Grade 6-8 vocabulary about animals and their characteristics in relation in Indigeneity

  • Totem, dodem, spirit animals are different things

  • Avoid making students say what their totem or spirit animals are 

  • Even young children (in grade 1) can understand that taking on this identity is cultural appropriation by explaining that we can’t take on elements of a culture that isn’t ours

  • Totem is a Western Indigenous cultural example - doesn’t represent the entire Indigenous experience

  • Could invite an Elder from your local community to explain how this concept translate in their culture and share their experience