{"id":470,"date":"2019-03-20T11:38:08","date_gmt":"2019-03-20T18:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/educationlibrarybooklists\/?p=470"},"modified":"2025-02-10T16:53:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T23:53:00","slug":"creation-and-origin-stories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/educationlibrarybooklists\/2019\/03\/20\/creation-and-origin-stories\/","title":{"rendered":"Creation and Origin Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Listed below are selected teacher resources, picture books, and chapter books related to creation and origin stories in Indigenous literature and education.<\/p>\n

Vous trouverez ci-dessous une s\u00e9lection de ressources pour enseignants, de livres d’images et de livres \u00e0 chapitres li\u00e9s aux r\u00e9cits de cr\u00e9ation et d’origine dans la litt\u00e9rature et l’\u00e9ducation indig\u00e8nes.<\/p>\n

Teacher Resources (Ressources pour les enseignants)<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/em>Culturally Relevant Aboriginal Education,<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

by Nicole Bell & Terrylynn Brant<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): K \u2013 12
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Provides teacher candidates and in-service teachers with relevant information to help them integrate Aboriginal, First Nations, M\u00e9tis, and Inuit content, customs, and traditions into the classroom, providing students with a broader perspective of Canada and its population.<\/p>\n

\"\"In our own words: Bringing authentic First Peoples content to the K-3 classroom,<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

by the First Nations Education Steering Committee<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): Kindergarten \u2013 3
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

This resource provides an array of ideas and suggestions that can be applied in whole or in part to incorporate First Peoples content into a K-3 classroom. By using this resource and remaining open to respectful dialogue and consultation with members of the local First Peoples communities, teachers will benefit their students and expand their own comfort with this material. Also available online. See also Authentic First Peoples resources: For use in K-7 classrooms.<\/a><\/p>\n

Picturebooks<\/h3>\n

\"\"Minegoo Mniku: the Mi’Kmaq Creation Story of Prince Edward Island,<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

retold and illustrated by Sandra L. Dodge; translated by Georgina Francis<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): Kindergarten – 3
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

A long time ago, the Great Spirit created all of the sky and stars but it wasn’t enough. He then made a beautiful place called Minegoo, a place so beautiful that he almost placed it amongst the stars. He decided that instead, he would place Minegoo in the most beautiful spot on earth. He summoned Kluskap and asked him to find this spot. After searching the whole world, Kluskap found the Shining Waters, the spot in the Gulf of St. Lawrence that would be home of the Mi’kmaq people created in his own image.<\/p>\n

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\"\"The origin of day and night,<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

by Paula Ikuutaq Rumbolt; illustrated by Lenny Lishchenko<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): 1 – 3
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

In very early times, there was no night or day and words spoken by chance could become real. When a hare and a fox meet and express their longing for light and darkness, their words are too powerful to be denied.<\/p>\n

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\"\"How we came to the fifth world : a creation story from ancient Mexico,<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

adapted by Harriet Rohmer & Mary Anchondo; revised by Harriet Rohmer & Rosalma Zubizarreta; illustrated by Graciela Carrillo<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): 3 – 4
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

An Aztec myth recounting the creation and destruction of the world by the deities of the four great elements. Retold and revised in both English and Spanish.<\/p>\n

\"\"Creation story \u2013 Sky Woman,<\/i><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

by Michelle Corneau, illustrated by Monica Wysotski<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): 2 – 4
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

A long time ago, the world was just water \u2013 there was no land! Then a curious woman fell from the sky world and with the help of the birds and animals created a land to live on. This Kanyen\u2019keh\u00e0:ka (Gan-yeh-ga-ha-ga) story is about the origin of the land where we live today. The Kanyen\u2019keh\u00e0:ka is one of Six Nations that together are the Haudenosaunee. Part of the Kanyen\u2019keha\u0300:ka series.<\/p>\n

\"\"Sukaq and the Raven<\/i><\/a>,<\/em><\/p>\n

by Roy Goose & Kerry McCluskey; illustrated by Soyeon Kim<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): Kindergarten – 2
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sukaq loves to drift off to sleep listening to his mother tell him stories. His favourite story is the tale of how a raven created the world. But this time, as his mother begins to tell the story and his eyelids become heavy, he is suddenly whisked away on the wings of the raven to ride along as the entire world is formed!<\/p>\n

\"\"Cloudwalker<\/i><\/a>,
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

by Roy Henry Vickers & Robert Budd; illustrated by Roy Henry Vickers<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): Pr\u00e9scolaire – 12 (PreK-12)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

On British Columbia\u2019s northwest coast lies the Sacred Headwaters\u2013the source of three of British Columbia\u2019s largest salmon-bearing rivers. These rivers are the source of life for all creatures in the area. But what gave life to the rivers themselves?<\/p>\n

\"\"Raven brings the light<\/i><\/a>,
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

by Roy Henry Vickers & Robert Budd; illustrated by Roy Henry Vickers<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): 3 – 7
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a time when darkness covered the land, a boy named Weget is born who is destined to bring the light. With the gift of a raven\u2019s skin that allows him to fly as well as transform, Weget turns into a bird and journeys from Haida Gwaii into the sky. There he finds the Chief of the Heavens who keeps the light in a box. By transforming himself into a pine needle, clever Weget tricks the Chief and escapes with the daylight back down to Earth.<\/p>\n

\"\"The blind boy & the loon<\/i><\/a>,<\/em><\/p>\n

by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, illustrated by Alethea Arnaquq-Baril and Daniel Gies<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): Kindergarten – 6
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

A retelling of a traditional Inuit story that explains the origin of the narwhal, an arctic whale known for its distinctive spiral tusk, while cautioning listeners against the dangers of seeking revenge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter Books<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"\"The trail of Nenaboozhoo and other creation stories,<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

by Bomgiizhik (Isaac Murdoch) & Christi Belcourt<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): 8 – 12
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

This collection of oral stories presents legends of Nenaboozhoo along with other creation stories that tell of the adventures of numerous beloved animal spirits. The Trail of Nenaboozhoo is a book of art and storytelling that preserve the legends of the Anishinaabe people. Each story is accompanied by strikingly beautiful illustrations by revered Indigenous artists Isaac Murdoch and Christi Belcourt.<\/p>\n

\"\"Kwulasulwut II : Salish creation stories,<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

by Ellen White; illustrations by Bill Cohen<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): K – 6
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

A traditional storyteller from the Coast Salish of British Columbia recounts four tales from the heritage of her people.
\nThis is Ellen White’s sequel to Kwulasulwut: Stories from the Coast Salish. The new volume features four more freshly written and translated English versions of traditional Salish legends adapted for children.<\/p>\n

\"\"Healer of the water monster,<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

by Brian Young<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): 3 – 7
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

When Nathan goes to visit his grandma, Nali, at her mobile summer home on the Navajo reservation, he knows he\u2019s in for a pretty uneventful summer, with no electricity or cell service. Still, he loves spending time with Nali and with his uncle Jet, though it\u2019s clear when Jet arrives that he brings his problems with him.<\/p>\n

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\"\"How things came to be: Inuit stories of creation<\/i><\/a>,<\/em><\/p>\n

by Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley & Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley; illustrated by Emily Fiegenschuh & Patricia Ann Lewis-MacDougall<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): 2 – 4
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shares eight classic Inuit creation stories from the Baffin region. From the origins of day and night, thunder and lightning, and the sun and the moon to the creation of the first caribou and source of all the Arctic\u2019s fearful storms, this book recounts traditional Inuit legends in a poetic and engaging style.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/em><\/p>\n

The legend of lightning & thunder<\/i><\/a>,<\/em><\/p>\n

by Paula Ikuutaq Rumbolt; illustrated by Jo Rioux<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): 2 – 4
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two siblings steal from their fellow villagers and in an attempt to escape punishment they escape to the sky as lightning and thunder. This illustrated traditional legend weaves together elements of an origin story and a traditional cautionary tale, giving young readers an accessible window into centuries-old Inuit mythology that is specific to the Kivalliq region of Nunavut.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"\"How the moon came to be<\/i><\/a>,<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

by Leah Marie Dorion<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): 4 – 6
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

A beautiful traditional M\u00e9tis story about the creation of the moon. How did Mother Earth and Grandmother Moon come to be named as they are? Do you know why you have the name you were given? Part of the Strong Stories: M\u00e9tis series.<\/p>\n

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\"\"Returning the Feathers: Five Gitxsan stories<\/i><\/a>,<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

by M. Jane Smith; illustrated by Ken N. Mowatt<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): 3 – 6
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Returning the Feathers includes four traditional stories: the origin of the Gitxsan people; how the blue jay and the mosquito came to live in northwestern BC; and the time when the porcupine first discharged its quills. The fifth in the anthology is an original story, inspired by the appearance of an egret at the author\u2019s smokehouse. These stories serve to connect the author to her ancestors, and give readers a taste of the rich cultural heritage of the Gitxsan people.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"\"People of the land: Legends of the four host First Nations<\/i><\/a>,<\/em><\/p>\n

by Johnny Abraham & other contributors<\/p>\n

Niveau scolaire (Grade level): 4 – 9
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

An anthology of the sacred legends of the four host First Nations, the Lil\u2019wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh. Legends included range from creation stories to naming stories and are accompanied by maps and photographs of the four host First Nations. Also includes artwork representing the ancestral voices of the legends and paying tribute to each nation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Trouver d\u2019autres ressources<\/h4>\n

Voici quelques conseils pour trouver d\u2019autres ressources dans ce domaine :<\/p>\n