WAMPUM, Children's Book, First Nations, Indigenous, Six Nations
- PDF
Description
As an award winning author I am very pleased to be able to present my book, WAMPUM: The Story of Shaylyn the Clam.
(Store retail between $15 and $20)
The story is very simple and easy to understand with vivid illustrations by Métis artist Jennifer Bettio and is a wonderful introduction to wampum; from whence it came, how it was made and how it was used.
The patterns on the wampum belts/strings were visual reminders of the ‘words’ spoken into each making them living objects.
Wampum belts are scattered throughout the world in many collections both private and public. Many wampum belts are not able to be read anymore. Their meanings are lost in large part due to residential schools and the disruption of the transfer of oral history.
I have personally seen many original wampum belts. I have been there when repatriated wampum were in the presence of elders. I respectfully watched as the elders viewed them and gently rubbed their hands on them. I saw great sadness in their eyes as they acknowledged the fact that their ancestor’s words were held within the wampum but now they didn’t know how to extract those words.
Over 723 schools use a Six Nations Iroquois Program Teachers Resource Guide that I co-authored with Raymond R. Skye and over 14,000 copies of my books have been sold and used by educators and the general public. www.canadianauthoreducation.com
It is well worth reading The Anishinabek News article about my book; Wampum http://anishinabeknews.ca/2016/10/20/shaylyn-the-clam-helps-children-learn-about-wampum/
Contents:
Poem
The poem that turned into a book.
Introduction
Life along the seashore.
The Story Begins
Shaylyn the Clam and Skawennahá:wi.
The Origins of Wampum
Hayenwah:tha and the Peacemaker introduce the first wampum.
Definitions & Acknowledgements
Alphabetical listing of terms and contributors.
Wampum
Samples of actual wampum belts
Activities
Wampum belt and string activities with more wampum details.
Examples
- use the b/l master to create your own wampum belt or string
- discuss symbolism
- discuss real wampum belts and strings
- discuss oral versus written information
- discuss the process of making wampum
- a wampum string can be made quite easily
Author & Artist
Bio of Zig Misiak and Jennifer Bettio
