The Missing Caribou Hide is a heartwarming story of a young girl named Norma Ann who wishes she had a toboggan so she could slide down the hill with the other children in the Tłı̨chǫ community of Wekweètì. While she dutifully helps her family, she also cares for the wild animals that live nearby. In thanks for her kindness, Weasel, Fox, Raven, and Whiskey Jack make Norma Ann a toboggan for Christmas. This story was written in close collaboration with the Tłı̨chǫ community members, and Tłı̨chǫ Elders contributed other stories to this collection to provide more information about the four animal characters from the primary story. Tłı̨chǫ language has been incorporated into the story, and a pronunciation guide is provided at the end of the book.

Other End Matter: Pronunciation guide
Images: Colour illustrations
Contributor Affiliation: Authors Wendy Stephenson (Wekweètı̀) and Cecilia Judas (Wekweètı̀)
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools & Indigenous Books for Schools

Wendy Stephenson is Curator of Education at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The archeological research on the Idaa Trail inspired her to write this book, and she has canoed many parts of the trail described in the story.

Wendy Stephenson's profile page

Cecilia (Ceci) is a Tłı̨chǫ woman (daughter of Madeline and Joseph) who was raised in Wekweètı̀. Currently, Cecilia is a teacher at the Alexis Arrowmaker school in Wekweètı̀. Cecilia is proud of and committed to passing on skills in her language and culture to her students. Cecilia and her spouse Clarence have three children. Cecilia was key in ensuring that Tłı̨chǫ language and stories be included in this book.

Cecilia Judas' profile page

Madeline is a Tłı̨chǫ woman born in Behchokǫ̀, NT and is the daughter of Alexis and Elizabeth Arrowmaker. From the age of seven, Madeline and her family traveled the trails between Behchokǫ̀ and Wekweètı̀. She has lived in Wekweètı̀ since 1963. Madeline and her husband Joseph have raised a family of nine children. They are very proud of their Tłı̨chǫ culture and way of life and have passed on their language, skills and stories to Cecilia and the other members of her family.

Madeline Judas' profile page

Joan Sherman lives in the boreal forest region of Alberta where she paints and writes about the natural world. She studied at California College of the Arts and has held drawing workshops for children and adults. Joan’s paintings are in private and institutional collections. The Missing Caribou Hide is the fifth children’s story she has illustrated.

Joan Sherman's profile page

“This book is a reminder of Tlicho and their relationship and connections to their environment and the animals they share their lands with. These stories are important teachings to the cultural history of the Dene Peoples. Not only should the book be in every classroom, but every Canadian should also read these stories to help understand Indigenous peoples and their culture. "The Missing Caribou Hide" can help bridge the gap between not only Tlicho parent and child, but also help connect Indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians alike."

— Paul Andrew, Order of the Northwest Territories