Kelly Crawford

Alex Partage Sa Ceinture Wampum is the French language edition of Alex Shares His Wampum Belt produced by the Union of Ontario Indians. This French language book is an eight page illustrated book about the importance of wampum belts and treaties for primary level students. Kelly Crawford wrote this information book about a First Nation student named Alex and his inspiration to create a wampum belt from his Lego blocks. The boy explains that treaty belts are made from wampum and they represent promises made to last. The wampum belt Alex made symbolizes the Treaty of Niagara agreement. Real wampum beads are made from white and purple shells. The colours also have meaning and the designs are used to tell the history of the belt's creation. The promises mean that First Nations agreed to share the land and they have rights as Nations. The treaty is a living promise that means all people are Treaty People. This is an important information resource for elementary students and has a page of suggested activities for teachers. Highly recommended.… (mere)

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.… (mere)

Alex Shares His Wampum Belt is an eight page illustrated book from Union of Ontario Indians and the importance of wampum belts and treaties for primary level students. Kelly Crawford wrote this information book about a First Nation student named Alex and his inspiration to create a wampum belt from his Lego blocks. The boy explains that treaty belts are made from wampum and they represent promises made to last. The wampum belt Alex made symbolizes the Treaty of Niagara agreement. Real wampum beads are made from white and purple shells. The colours also have meaning and the designs are used to tell the history of the belt's creation. The promises mean that First Nations agreed to share the land and they have rights as Nations. The treaty is a living promise that means all people are Treaty People. This is an important information resource for elementary students and has a page of suggested activities for teachers. Highly recommended.… (mere)

Dakota Dibaataanan Gchi-Kwiinwinan is the Ojibwe language translation of Dakota Talks about Treaties published by the Union of Ontario Indians especially for Ojibwe language learners. This 8-page illustrated resource about the importance of treaties is designed for 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.… (mere)