The Gift Is in the Making: Anishinaabeg Stories

by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Amanda Strong (Illustrator)

Overview

The Gift Is in the Making retells previously published Anishinaabeg stories, bringing to life Anishinaabeg values and teachings for a new generation. Readers are immersed in a world where all genders are respected, the tiniest being has influence in the world, and unconditional love binds families and communities to each other and to their homeland. Sprinkled with gentle humour and the Anishinaabe language, this collection of stories speaks to children and adults alike, and reminds us of the timelessness of stories that touch the heart.

Also available as an audiobook narrated by Tiffany Ayalik. Find it through your favourite audio retailer!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781553793762
Publisher:	Portage & Main Press
Publication date:	06/04/2013
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.27(d)
Lexile:	740L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson (she/her/hers) is a Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg scholar, writer, and musician with a PhD from the University of Manitoba. She is the author of A Short History of the Blockade, Noopiming, As We Have Always Done, Dancing on Our Turtle’s Back, Islands of Decolonial Love, and This Accident of Being Lost. Leanne is a member of Alderville First Nation, in Ontario, Canada. Leanne's fourth album, Theory of Ice will be released in March 2021 with You've Changed Records.

Amanda Strong is a Michif, Indigenous filmmaker, media artist, and stop motion director currently based out of the unceded Coast Salish territory also known as Vancouver, British Columbia. She has exhibited work and screened films worldwide, including at the Cannes Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, and the Ottawa International Animation Festival.

@spottedfawnart

Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction

1 Our Treaty with the Hoof Nation

2 The Baagaataa’awa Game that Changed Everything

3 All our Relations

4 A Gift from a Very Smart Little Green Frog

5 She Knew Exactly What To Do

6 Zhingwaak Gets a Little Snippy

7 Please Be Careful When You’re Getting Smart

8 It’s You Who Makes the Name Powerful

9 Good Neighbours

10 Want

11 Zhigaag’s Powerful Medicine

12 The Place of Muddy Water

13 It’s a Very Good Thing to Be Yourself

14 Honouring Ojiig in the Night Sky

15 Gwiiwzens Makes a Lovely Discovery

16 The Star People Are Always Watching

17 Zhiishiib Makes Everybody Lunch

18 Makwa, the Great Faster

19 She Had a Beautiful, Speckled Design

20 The Rock on Miskwaadesi’s Back

21 The Gift Is in the Making

Acknowledgments

Further Reading

What People are Saying About This

Southern Ontario Library Service

A SOLS First Nation Communities READ recommended title, 2015–2016

Editorial Reviews

This was an absolutely exquisite book...sprinkled about with Nishnaabemowin so by the end of the book, you’ll be newly familiar with a number of beautiful words...This felt like a book of sacred texts.

Goodreads - Johannes C.

[These stories] embrace and embellish the teachings, reflecting their established power for today's listeners and readers of all ages. The words and images [roll] effortlessly off the tongue (and eyes). Highly Recommended.

CM Association - Gail de Vos

A SOLS First Nation Communities READ recommended title, 2015–2016

Southern Ontario Library Service

This was an absolutely exquisite book...sprinkled about with Nishnaabemowin so by the end of the book, you’ll be newly familiar with a number of beautiful words...This felt like a book of sacred texts.

Goodreads