The Gift of the Little People is one of several stories in the Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak series, which explores the language, culture, Knowledge, territory, and history of the Rocky Cree (Asiniskaw Īthiniwak) People. In this story, Rocky Cree Storyteller William Dumas shares a Teaching about hope in the face of adversity. When the canoes return home, more and more people become sick. One of the Little People offers help to save the community. William Dumas is an author, an educator of twenty-five years, and an administrator who shares Traditional Stories of the Rocky Cree Nation. In addition, William Dumas is the Cree Language and Culture Coordinator for the Nisichawayasihk (Nelson House) Education Authority. Rhian Brynjolson is a non-Indigenous visual artist and illustrator who drew the illustrations for this book in a contemporary and semi-realistic style. This book includes a glossary of the Rocky Cree words used, with romanized pronunciations and definitions accompanied.

Other End Matter: Glossary of definitions and romanized pronunciations for the Rocky Cree dialect
Images: Colour illustrations
Contributor Affiliation: Author William Dumas (Rocky Cree), Illustrator Rhian Brynjolson
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - Indigenous Books for Schools

William Dumas, a Rocky Cree Storyteller, was born in South Indian Lake, Manitoba. For 25 years, he has been an educator and administrator; his passion for Cree language and culture are well aligned with his current position as Cree Language and Culture Coordinator for the Nisichawayasihk (Nelson House) Education Authority. As the author of The Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Īthiniwak series, William knows first-hand the power storytelling has to teach Indigenous youth about where they come from and where they are going.

William Dumas' profile page

Rhian Brynjolson (she/her/hers) is a visual artist, author, book illustrator, and art educator. Rhian was awarded the Canadian Art Teacher of the Year in 2014. She is the author of Teaching Art: a Complete Guide for the Classroom, and has illustrated fifteen children’s books. Rhian has worked with the River on the Run artist collective, making and performing art to raise awareness of environmental concerns affecting the Lake Winnipeg watershed. Rhian lives and works on the edge of Treaty 3 territory, in the boreal forest of eastern Manitoba. Her work is currently exhibited as part of the Virtual Water Gallery https://gwf.usask.ca and at www.rhianbrynjolson.com.

Rhian Brynjolson's profile page

• Long-listed, First Nation Communities READ
• Short-listed, McNally Robinson Book for Young People, Older Category
• Joint winner, Manitowapow Award
• Winner, Co-winner of the Manitowapow Award

Dumas clearly writes from his heart, with a generosity of words to convey this story to young readers. Rhian Brynjolson's illustrations are remarkable, carrying the story from page to page.

Storytime With Stephanie

Among OLA Best Bets Top Ten, Junior Fiction

Ontario Library Association

Among USBBY 2023 Outstanding International Books List

USBBY

Among CBC Books Canadian Middle-Grade Books to Watch for in Spring 2022 list

CBC Books

A tale rich with warmth and wonder that not only documents traditions but carries them on.

David A. Robertson, author The Barren Grounds

Using his father’s voice as inspiration, Dumas, with over 25 years as an educator and storyteller, shares a story that is both timely and timeless in its significance.

Active History

Among The Globe and Mail's Kid's Gift Guide (2022)

The Globe and Mail

A Thompson, Manitoba author has transformed a Rocky Cree story he remembers his father telling him as a child into a picture book with lessons that remain relevant today.

Glacier - Thompson Citizen