There are many books related to Native Americans of the Northwest Coast that can help students to better visualize and understand the people and their rich culture. Some short picture books can be used as a whole class read-alouds where other longer books can be used as longer novel studies. In this activity, students will create a plot summary of the book using visuals and descriptions.
The book used for the example storyboard is by Nicola I. Campbell. Shi-shi-etko is a beautifully illustrated and poignant book appropriate for Grades 2–6. It is the story about Shi-shi-etko who is about to have to leave her family and everything she knows to attend a residential school.
Residential schools in Canada and the United States ripped children away from their families in a forced effort to assimilate Native Americans into European American culture. Children were not allowed to speak their language or practice their customs and would be punished for doing so. It is estimated that between 1831-1996, hundreds of thousands of Native American children were forcibly removed from their homes by government agents and placed in residential (or “boarding”) schools that were run by the government and churches.
Former Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, issued an official apology on June 11, 2008: “Two primary objectives of the residential school system were to remove and isolate children from the influence of their homes, families, traditions and cultures, and to assimilate them into the dominant culture. These objectives were based on the assumption Aboriginal cultures and spiritual beliefs were inferior and unequal. Indeed, some sought, as it was infamously said, 'to kill the Indian in the child.' Today, we recognize that this policy of assimilation was wrong, has caused great harm, and has no place in our country.”
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Summarize the story in a 3-5 cell storyboard describing the main events in the beginning, middle and end of the story.
Student Instructions
Encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings about the stories by setting clear guidelines for respectful listening and speaking. This helps build a safe classroom environment where every student feels valued and heard.
Bring in guest speakers from local Indigenous communities or use videos and interviews created by First Nations authors and artists to provide students with authentic perspectives and deeper cultural understanding.
Ask students to identify similarities and differences between the experiences of characters in the stories and their own experiences. This strategy fosters empathy and a personal connection to the material.
Invite students to create visual art projects or share their own oral stories inspired by Northwest Coast First Nations literature. This approach honors cultural traditions and allows for creative expression.
Use primary documents like government apologies or personal testimonies to help students understand the historical background of residential schools and their impact. Encourage students to ask questions and discuss what they learn in small groups.
Recommended books about Northwest Coast First Nations for K-12 include Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell, Shanyaak’utlaax̱: Salmon Boy, Sharing our World: Animals of the Native Northwest Coast, Goodnight World: Animals of the Native Northwest, Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest, Little Whale: A Story of the Last Tlingit War Canoe, Yetsa's Sweater, and Fighter in Velvet Gloves. These books highlight Indigenous perspectives, stories, and artwork.
Use thoughtfully chosen books like Shi-shi-etko to introduce students to the impact of residential schools. Facilitate discussions, encourage empathy, and help students create plot summaries or storyboards to reflect on the experiences and emotions of Indigenous children affected by these schools.
A simple activity is to have students read a story and then create a 3-5 cell storyboard summarizing the main events. This helps students visualize the plot and deepen their understanding of Northwest Coast First Nations cultures.
Shi-shi-etko offers a personal, emotional look at the experiences of Indigenous children forced to attend residential schools. It helps students understand the lasting impact of these schools and the importance of preserving family, culture, and language.
Books like Sharing our World: Animals of the Native Northwest Coast and Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest feature colorful illustrations and traditional stories about animals important to Indigenous cultures, making them highly engaging for elementary students.