Secret of the Dance is a fictional childrens literature story based on an incident which happened in Elder Alfred Scow’s life. The story explains the challenges faced by Aboriginal people when the Canadian government passed a law forbidding cultural ceremonies. The book enhances classroom discussions on Indigenous “ceremonial and spiritual aspects of traditional education, and the relationship with the land” (p. 18, Indian Residential Schools & Reconciliation Teacher Resource 5), Indian agents, and “the restrictive laws of the Indian Act that were imposed on First Nations people”(p. 18, Indian Residential Schools & Reconciliation Teacher Resource 5). The beautiful illustrations complement and showcase First Nations art.
References:
First Nations Education Steering Committee and First Nations Schools Association. (2015). Indian Residential Schools & Reconciliation Teacher Resource Guide 5. West Vancouver, BC: First Nations Education Steering Committee and First Nations Schools Association
Spalding, Andrea & Scow, Alfred. (2006). Secret of the Dance. Victoria, BC: Ocra Book Publishers
The book Stoney Creek Woman written by Bridget Moran tells the story of Mary John an Elder from my reservation. The book details Mary John’s life and provides readers with a mirror into the life of a Native woman living in rural northern British Columbia. Mary John was awarded the Order of Canada in 1997 and after reading the book people will understand why. I also enjoy reading the book as my grandmother is mentioned in it.