Our Children's Librarian columnist, Julie Booker, brings us a new view from the stacks every month.

*****

Treaty Words, For as Long as the Rivers Flow, by Aimee Craft, illustrated by Luke Swinson, is a beautiful little book that begins with a girl and her mishomis (grandfather) sitting on the banks of the river, listening to sounds in nature. The grandfather tells her about the treaty their people made with the Queen and how it was negotiated without respect, with the Queen's subjects believing that land was to be owned. As the ice breaks up, her grandfather reminds the girl to observe and listen, the original treaty being a promise to pay attention to all living things. The grandfather passes on this understanding so that the original treaty can be restored and carried on in all relationships. For grades 3-6.

*

We Are All...Treaty People, by Maurice Switzer, illustrated by Charley Hebert, is a succinct history of treaties in North America for Grade 6 and up, specifically dealing with the Anishinaabek. One of the oldest nations in North America, the people migrated from the East coast to the Great Lakes Basin, inhabiting the area in the 1600s. This text briefly addresses first settlers, how the Anishinabek allied with the French and how conflict began when the English took control. The book touches on the Pontiac Rebellion, the Royal Proclamation, the Treaty of the Niagara woven into wampum belts (signifying the Formation of the First Nations), and how treaties eventually, unfortunately, signified land ownership. With a few sentences on each topic, the book touches on the role of the First Nations in the American Revolution, the leaders Tecumseh and General Brock, ending with 19th Century conflicts including Dudley George and the Oka Crisis.

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Did you know that between 1781 and 1930 there were 46 treaties signed in Ontario alone?! Alex Shares His Wampum Belt, by Kelly Crawford, illustrated by Don Chretien, is a very short picture book for kindergarten to grade two about a boy sharing his wampum belt, showing what it's made from (seashells) and what the belt means. Illustrations show him making the Treaty of Niagara Covenant Chain out of Lego (a great follow-up activity!). The book explains in very basic terms what a treaty is. There are several valuable teacher tips and information about ordering a teacher kit.

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Also by Crawford and Chretien is a similar, simple picture book: Dakota Talks About Treaties. This one focuses more on what a treaty is and has more text making it more appropriate for grades 1-3. The website associated with the publisher, Anishinabek Nation, is very useful for educators.

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The Treaty Tales Series includes 3 books, appropriate for Grades 1 to 3. The Handshake and the Pipe, book number one, is the story of Aaniin going for a walk on her Anishinabe reserve with her grandma (Kookoo) who explains the handshake and the pipe in easily understood terms. The two visit people shaking hands in the community—at the band office where the Chief and the Council make decisions, at the health clinic and the school. Aaniin asks how a handshake is like the passing of the pipe, and so, in answer, Kookoo tells the story of Turtle Island and the First Nations people. The story shows their people's traditional ways—teepees, hunting, collection of medicines and how the handshake is a form of respect in trading.

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The second book, The Friendship, shows a slightly older Aaniin making bannock with Kookoo. Kookoo relays the story of the first settlers and how the First Nations people taught them many things which helped them survive, such as tapping the trees for sap and reading the night sky. The settlers built forts and then communities, all thanks to trading partnerships with First Nations. This book explains what a treaty is. Conflict is subtly addressed: "Even though the treaties were made a long time ago, they should continue to be respected today," Kookoo says, making the point that talking about the origins of the treaties will hopefully garner more respect for them. There is a recipe for bannock at the end.

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We Are All Treaty People, the third book, shows Aaniin as a teenager and her grandmother with grey hair. Aaniin hears Kookoo's stories about why "all Canadians are treaty people." This text explains the original treaties, what they mean and how they are a legal document that all Canadians are bound by. Readers are left with a reminder of how every settler Canadian carries responsibility.

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On her first day as teacher-librarian, Julie Booker was asked by a five-year-old if that was her real name. She's felt at home in libraries since her inaugural job as a Page in the Toronto Public Library. She is the author of Up Up Up, a book of short stories published by House of Anansi Press.