Cindy Blackstock:
A member of the Gitksan First Nation, Cindy has been working for First Nations children for over 25 years, first as child welfare worker and now as the Executive Director of the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society and Professor of Social Work at McGill University. In case you haven't guessed, she is also the real-life inspiration behind Spirit Bear's fashion-loving friend, Cindy the Sheep!
Spotted Fawn Productions:
Spotted Fawn Productions (SFP) was founded in 2010 and incorporated in 2014 by Michif Owner/Director/Producer Amanda Strong. SFP is an Indigenous-led production company that is creative, community oriented with a focus on illustration, stop motion, 2D, 3D, and virtual reality animations. Their mission is to provide mentorship and training opportunities for emerging and diverse artists. They create space for Indigenous people, women and non-binary individuals to engage in the many aspects of film, animation and production.
The First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada is a charitable organization based in Ottawa, Ontario. We provide reconciliation-based public education, research, and support to promote the safety and wellbeing of First Nations children, young people, families, and Nations.
Spirit Bear: Fishing for Knowledge, Catching Dreams is the 2nd book in the Spirit Bear series.
Spirit Bear is off on another adventure! Follow him as he learns about traditional knowledge and Residential Schools from Uncle Huckleberry and his friend, Lak'insxw, before heading to Algonquin territory, where children teach him about Shannen's Dream. Spirit Bear and his new friends won't stop until Shannen's Dream of "safe and comfy schools" comes true for every First Nations student.
Learning Guide
Spirit Bear is pawsitively thrilled about his Learning Guide to accompany Spirit Bear: Fishing for Knowledge, Catching Dreams. The guide supports families, educators, and communities in using Spirit Bear's book to teach about equity, reconciliation, and how kids can make a difference.
Cindy Blackstock:
A member of the Gitksan First Nation, Cindy has been working for First Nations children for over 25 years, first as child welfare worker and now as the Executive Director of the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society and Professor of Social Work at McGill University. In case you haven't guessed, she is also the real-life inspiration behind Spirit Bear's fashion-loving friend, Cindy the Sheep!
Amanda Strong:
Amanda is a Michif filmmaker, media artist, and stop motion artist currently based out of the unceded Coast Salish territory also known as Vancouver. Amanda's work explores ideas of blood memory and Indigenous ideology. Her films have screened internationally, most notably at Cannes, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Vancouver International Film Festival, and the Ottawa International Animation Festival. Amanda has received numerous awards for her work, including the K.M. Hunter Artist Award for Film and Video, the Vancouver Mayors Arts Awards for Emerging Film and Media Artist, and the Clyde Gilmour Technicolor Award, selected by Alanis Obomsawin.
Cindy Blackstock :
Membre de la Première nation Gitksan, Cindy travaille pour des enfants des Premières nations depuis plus de 25 ans, d'abord comme travailleuse en protection de l'enfance et maintenant directrice générale de la Société soutien à l'enfance et à la famille des Premières nations du Canada et professeure de travail social à l'Université McGill. Au cas où vous ne l'aurez pas deviné, elle est aussi l'inspiration de la vie réelle derrière l'amie de Spirit Bear, Cindy the Sheep!
Amanda Strong :
Amanda est une cinéaste Michif, artiste des médias, et artiste stop motion actuellement basé sur le territoire sans appel Coast Salish également connu sous le nom de Vancouver. Le travail d'Amanda explore les idées de la mémoire du sang et de l'idéologie autochtone. Ses films ont été projetés à l'échelle internationale, notamment à Cannes, au Festival international du film de Toronto, au Festival international du film de Vancouver et au Festival international d'animation d'Ottawa. Amanda a reçu de nombreux prix pour son travail, dont le K.M. Hunter Artist Award for Film and Video, le Vancouver Mayors Arts Awards for Emerging Film and Media Artist et le Clyde Gilmour Technicolor Award, sélectionné par Alanis Obomsawin.
Spirit Bear and Children Make History is an Indspire Successful Practice in K-12 Indigenous education!
When Spirit Bear’s mom tells him about an important human rights case happening in Ottawa, Ontario, he makes the LONG trip (by train, his favourite way to travel) to go and watch, and to stand up for First Nations kids. And he isn’t the only one! Lots of children come too—to listen, and to show they care. Spirit Bear knows that children can change the world because he’s there to see it happen. This is the story of how kids—kids just like you—made a difference… with a bit of help from some bears and other animals along the way!
Learning Guide
Spirit Bear is pawsitively thrilled about his Learning Guide to accompany Spirit Bear and Children Make History. The guide supports families, educators, and communities in using Spirit Bear's book to teach about equity, reconciliation, and how kids can make a difference.
Indigenous Language Translations
Spirit Bear's first book is available in various Indigenous languages! Click on the links below to read and download a free electronic version of each translation!
Cree Translation
Translated by Madeline Gamblin
Carrier Translation
Translated by Dorothy Patrick and Alex Michell
Cindy Blackstock:
A member of the Gitksan First Nation, Cindy has been working for First Nations children for over 25 years, first as child welfare worker and now as the Executive Director of the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society and Professor of Social Work at McGill University. In case you haven't guessed, she is also the real-life inspiration behind Spirit Bear's fashion-loving friend, Cindy the Sheep!
Eddy Robinson:
Eddy (Anishinaabe/Muskegowuk Cree) was born and raised in Toronto and like many he didn't really begin to understand the legacy and impacts of his father's experience at Residential School until his adult years. With limited access to culture, it was the Drum that first set Eddy on the path to rediscovering his Indigenous identity. Since then he has traveled throughout North America as a noted speaker, artist, teacher, musician, educator, facilitator, trainer, and now writer.
Amanda Strong:
Amanda is a Michif filmmaker, media artist, and stop motion artist currently based out of the unceded Coast Salish territory also known as Vancouver. Amanda's work explores ideas of blood memory and Indigenous ideology. Her films have screened internationally, most notably at Cannes, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Vancouver International Film Festival, and the Ottawa International Animation Festival. Amanda has received numerous awards for her work, including the K.M. Hunter Artist Award for Film and Video, the Vancouver Mayors Arts Awards for Emerging Film and Media Artist, and the Clyde Gilmour Technicolor Award, selected by Alanis Obomsawin.
Spirit Bear and Children Make History est une pratique réussie d'Indspire dans l'éducation autochtone de la maternelle à la 12e année!
Lorsque la mère de Spirit Bear lui explique cette importante cause en matière de droits de la personne qui se déroule à Ottawa en Ontario, il fait le LONG voyage (en train, son mode de transport favori) pour assister aux audiences et supporter les enfants des Premières Nations. Et il n’est pas le seul! De nombreux enfants viennent aussi pour écouter et démontrer leur appui. Spirit Bear sait que les enfants peuvent changer le monde parce qu’il est là pour le constater. C’est l’histoire de la façon dont les enfants, des enfants comme vous, pouvez faire la différence . . . avec un peu d’aide d’autres oursons et d’autres animaux en cours de route!
Guide d'apprentissage*
Spirit Bear est ravi de son Guide d'apprentissage pour accompagner Spirit Bear et les enfants passent à l'histoire. Le guide aide les familles, les éducateurs, et les communautés à utiliser le livre de Spirit Bear pour enseigner l'équité, la réconciliation, et la façon dont les enfants peuvent faire une différence.
Traductions linguistiques autochtones
Le premier livre de Spirit Bear est disponible dans diverses langues autochtones! Cliquez sur les liens ci-dessous pour lire et télécharger une version électronique gratuite de chaque traduction!
Traduction Cree
Traduit par Madeline Gamblin
Traduction du Carrier
Traduit par Dorothy Patrick et Alex Michell
Cindy Blackstock :
Membre de la Première nation Gitksan, Cindy travaille pour des enfants des Premières nations depuis plus de 25 ans, d'abord comme travailleuse en protection de l'enfance et maintenant directrice générale de la Société soutien à l'enfance et à la famille des Premières nations du Canada et professeure de travail social à l'Université McGill. Au cas où vous ne l'aurez pas deviné, elle est aussi l'inspiration de la vie réelle derrière l'amie de Spirit Bear, Cindy the Sheep!
Eddy Robinson :
Eddy (Anishinaabe/Muskegowuk Cree) est né et a grandi à Toronto et, comme beaucoup, il n'a pas vraiment commencé à comprendre l'héritage et les impacts de l'expérience de son père au pensionnat jusqu'à ses années d'âge adulte. Avec un accès limité à la culture, c'est le Tambour qui a d'abord mis Eddy sur la voie de la redécouverte de son identité autochtone. Depuis, il a voyagé à travers l'Amérique du Nord en tant que conférencier, artiste, enseignant, musicien, éducateur, facilitateur, formateur et maintenant écrivain.
Amanda Strong :
Amanda est une cinéaste Michif, artiste des médias, et artiste stop motion actuellement basé sur le territoire sans appel Coast Salish également connu sous le nom de Vancouver. Le travail d'Amanda explore les idées de la mémoire du sang et de l'idéologie autochtone. Ses films ont été projetés à l'échelle internationale, notamment à Cannes, au Festival international du film de Toronto, au Festival international du film de Vancouver et au Festival international d'animation d'Ottawa. Amanda a reçu de nombreux prix pour son travail, dont le K.M. Hunter Artist Award for Film and Video, le Vancouver Mayors Arts Awards for Emerging Film and Media Artist et le Clyde Gilmour Technicolor Award, sélectionné par Alanis Obomsawin.