New Releases by David Bouchard

Set during the dramatic Red River Resistance of 1869-1870 and the birth of Manitoba. The novel is told through the perspective of a young Irish-Canadian journalist, Conor O''Dea. Under mysterious circumstances, after working for the assassinated politician D''Arcy McGee, O''Dea is sent West, and to Sir John A. Macdonald''s horror befriends Louis Riel. Macdonald never understood Louis Riel and never really tried to. The story also includes the little known Fenian attack in Manitoba. If Louis Riel had supported his fellow Catholics, it could have been what the lieutenant governor called "a rough time of it." But he didn''t. He supported Canada. Equal parts spy thriller and love triangle and, in a time of reconciliation, this poignant novel contributes to the complicated story of Canada. Henderson and Bouchard have managed the magnificent feat of starting a very important conversation about this great land for all of those who call it home.

I AM NOT A GHOST tells the story of a Chinese railway worker who comes to Canada to work on the Great Canadian Pacific Railway. He, like all the others, came in search of a better life but would have died if not for the benevolence of Amelia Douglas, wife of the former governor of British Columbia. A fictional but historically accurate story with an important message, I AM NOT A GHOST describes the racism and hardship that these newcomers to Canada faced and should be required reading for anyone who wants to learn about this troubling period in Canada''s history.

Teacher Lesson Plan that accompanies the book, Meet Your Family. Includes comprehension questions, group activities, wordsearch, colouring pages etc. Mother Earth, we come from her, we go to her, without her we wouldn''t be here, she gives all of us life and because of her we are all one family. In many segments of Indigenous life we speak of Mother Earth, Father Sky, Grandfather Sun, and Grandmother Moon. Meet Your Family is a rhythmic poem that will enlighten readers on how to view these important figures and share a greater concept of seeing the world as our natural family. Meet Your Family is presented in both English and Ojibway. An additional softcover book writen in Ojibway with phonetics guide is included inside this hardcover book.

"The incantatory verse that animates this song of praise to a mother who kept the magic of the powwow alive for her son''s generation casts a spell, to be sure, but Leonard Paul''s stunning paintings of dancers in full-feathered dress and face paint eclipse all else." -- The Globe and Mail The Powwow is a time-honored Native American custom. It is a celebration of life and spirituality, a remembrance of traditions, uniting a people through dance and ritual. Long Powwow Nights takes you on a wonderful journey, honoring these mystical dancers who keep their traditions alive through dance and song. In its poetic verses, David Bouchard and Pam Aleekuk skillfully narrate the story of a mother''s dedication to her roots and her efforts to impress upon her child the importance of culture and identity.

"In English and Michif, Bouchard, whose grandmothers were Anishnaabe, Chippewa, Menominee and Innu, honours those ''Kokums, '' of whom he is so proud... Dennis Weber''s wonderfully textured paintings add further luminescence to an emotionally powerful book." -- The Globe and Mail Canada''s most well-known and respected Métis artists collaborate in this heart wrenching telling of what it means to be Métis. Bestselling and award winning Métis poet David Bouchard''s heartfelt story is illustrated by Canada''s most prominent Métis artist Dennis Weber. Canada''s Métis are the only mixed blood people in the world recognized by every level of government as being a Nation. The Métis have their own language, flag, songs and stories. They have exciting traditions and a proud history. Sadly, their journey was one of hardships, denial and often lies. In The Secret of Your Name, these men open their hearts to all those who care to know what it means when it is said that we are Proud to be Métis! This spectacular book will appeal to any and all who have an interest in aboriginal people. It will call out to art collectors, musicians and all who have ever pondered their own past.

David Bouchard is a best selling author, speaker and educator. He is Canada''s most sought after public speaker. We Learn from the Sun is an Indigenous rhyming poem based on his best selling book Seven Sacred Teachings.An Indigenous rhyming poem with colorful illustrations about the seven sacred teachings that can be learned from the sun. This richly illustrated book by Metis writer David Bouchard and Metis illustrator Kristy Cameron, weaves together Woodland style paintings with a rhythmic poem about the spiritual lessons that we can learn from the Sun and the seven sacred teachings.

"Welcome to your ''We Learn From the Sun'' teacher lesson plan. In this lesson plan, you will find classroom lesson plans, student activities, colouring pages, and other amazing activities." -- Introduction.

If you have ever seen the Great White North, you may have been lucky enough to come across the magnificent light show in the sky known to us as the aurora borealis— the Northern Lights. But have you ever wondered how they and the constellations came to be? Raven’s Great Light Show relates the wonderful story of how Raven, the Trickster figure common to the Oral Tradition of many Indigenous Peoples in Canada, once used his legendary wiles to paint the night sky with the millions upon millions of stars that vigilantly watch over us.

A young First Nations boy is preparing for his first pow-wow. His beloved grandmother guides him through the events of the day and helps him to understand what the singing and dancing are about.

This collection of lyrical poems and songs from bestselling author David Bouchard gives a voice to important figures in Métis history from the 17th century to the present day. Each of the 13 selections in Proud to be Métis relates the story of a remarkable Métis individual and is accompanied by an original painting by Dennis J. Weber.

The Seven Sacred Teachings is a message of traditional values and hope for the future. The Teachings are universal to most First Nation peoples. These Teachings are aboriginal communities from coast to coast. They are a link that ties First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities together.

In 1853, Étienne Mercier, a French-Canadian voyageur painter, is tasked by his employer to return to the Queen Charlotte Islands and document his travels into Haida territory. A wide-eyed and good-natured Mercier takes the opportunity to try to track down his long-lost friend, Clément, in the wilderness of what would later become the Canadian Pacific coast. Written in Mercier’s own broken English, or Franglais, and punctuated with traditional Canadien folk songs, David Bouchard’s candid glance into the everyday tribulations of a typical voyageur vividly depicts—along with Gordon Miller’s evocative illustrations—life on the colonial frontier in the mid-nineteenth century.

A great, kind and wise chief decides to erect a new totem pole. Knowing that he will soon die, the chief wants the pole to be representative of him but also to reflect the importance of others in his life. A series of birds and animals then try to convince the chief that their image should be carved into the chief’s totem pole.

There are as many Creation stories as there are First Nations on Turtle Island. The story of a Great Flood is known to indigenous people in every corner of the world. But what about the Moon? Who made her? What was her intended purpose? Beneath Raven Moon is an enchanting tale of the creation of Grandmother Moon and of the first time she wove her spell on a young, unsuspecting couple. The story unfolds in the territory of the Kwakwaka''wakw people - now also known as British Columbia''s Inside Passage - where Raven and Eagle join together in good-natured conspiracy to foster a heart-warming romance. Follow the magical vision of Metis author David Bouchard and Kwakwaka''wakw artist Andy Everson to learn why Raven found it necessary to bless us with the heavenly sphere that guides we two-leggeds and illuminates our night sky.

A lavishly illustrated tale inspired by Native American naming ceremonies explains the difference between names given to children and adults while relating the story of young Dancing Raven, whose talents go unrecognized by the hunters, fishers and trackers in his village until he reveals the importance of music. By the best-selling author of Rainbow Crow.

"Built on traditional stories that develop a sense of community, responsibility, respect, and interconnectedness of life. High-impact graphic novel visuals, complete with frames, captions, and speech and thought bubbles. Each title features an original interpretation of a popular tale from the teachings of the First Nations Peoples. Stories include: trickster tales, pourquoi stories, origin stories, as well as traditional tales. Humorous stories have high boy-appeal."--From publisher''s website.

The Aboriginal culture presents a variety of musical forms.

Turtle Island Voices honours the histories, cultures, worldviews, and knowledge of Canada''s Aboriginal communities with exciting stories, information, and graphics that will pique student''s interest in learning about Aboriginal peoples and cultures. (publisher)

In true Métis fashion and in the traditional way of story telling, Bouchard introduces readers to Sky World, Earth People, Raven, Turtle Island and one clear vision as to how two-leggeds (humankind) came to be.

Wakan Tanka shows kindness to his creations by giving them gifts that they can use to protect themselves. He listens carefully to Deer''s request and finds a way to help Fawn.

Grizzly Bear and Coyote want different things. Through compromise, they are able to come to an agreement that the days and seasons will be decided by the sun and the moon. This way, they will both get what they want.

Matt shares the wisdom of his ancestors with Jen. By telling Jen stories about the sash and all of the ways in which it was used, he is sharing some of the wisdom of the Métis culture that he has been taught.

Buffalo and Fox do not show respect to the other animals when they destroy the homes of the prairie chickens. Napi teaches them that it is important to respect smaller animals by protecting them and caring for them.

Grade level: 1, 2, 3, k, p, e.