The 2007 Willow Awards
Diamond Willow Nominee
Christmas At Wapos Bay
Three urban Cree children visit their Mushom at his northern Saskatchewan cabin. Christmas is coming and more relatives are coming from the city. Because of a summer fire there aren't many animals around for them to hunt and trap. Will they have enough food for Christmas? The three cousins decide to set out alone with the dog team. Grandfather follows them but collapses. This is a story of survival on the trap line where the children need to remember what their grandfather taught them in order to beat the weather and save their grandfather. Will Christmas be cancelled?
About the Authors
Jordan Wheeler
Jordan Wheeler is the author of two previous publications. He also writes television scripts and has worked as a story editor for such well-known television productions as North of 60, Moccasin Flats, The Rez, Big Bear, Black Harbour, The Adventures of Shirley Holmes, and Tales From the Longhouse. He lives and writes in Winnipeg.
Dennis Jackson
Book Reviews
Suggested Activities
- Invite an elder to your classroom to talk about living off the land, and hunting or trapping.
- Invite an elder or community member to show everyone how to make bannock.
- The story talks about animal tracks. Find a book like Animal Tracks in Saskatchewan by Ian Sheldon. Draw the animal's tracks along with the animal and make your own book on the animals and tracks that interest you.
- There are many Cree words in this story. Kohkum means grandmother and Mushom means grandfather. Do some research to discover how to say Mushom and Kohkum in other First Nations languages or in other languages in our world. It would be interesting to make a huge list to put up in your classroom.
- There is a dictionary of Cree Words called nêhiýawewin/Cree, itwêwina/Words. Use this dictionary along with the glossary at the end of this book to make your own classroom dictionary of Cree. Every student in the class could illustrate one or two pages. There is also an online Cree Dictionary.
- Learn how to sing "O Canada in Cree." Your music teacher could help.
- There is a video available that tells this story in Cree called Christmas at Wapos Bay. Your local public library should be able to find it for you. It is also available at the Regina Public School Board for schools in Regina.
- There are many sled dog races in Canada. In Saskatchewan we have the Canadian Challenge International Sled Dog Race. Go to their website. Be a reporter and report to the class about this race. The Iditarod is a big race held every year in Alaska. Go to their website to follow the race.
- Find a place in your city or town where you can buy moose meat. Find a good recipe and cook some at school. Have a taste of moose meat!
Teacher Resources
Comprehending the Willows Project website
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