Why use graphic novels?

Using graphic novels in the classroom allows for a variety of entry points to the varying Indigenous topics/discussions embedded in the novel – students can literally “read” into different elements the author is trying to convey, at their own pace and level of readiness. Moreover, depending on the topics offered by the graphic novel, you can cover many of BC’s new curricular competencies at one time: literacy, visual arts, social studies, social justice, contemporary Indigenous issues, Canadian identity, ethical citizenship, and so forth.

 

Below are some graphic novels that have been recommended to me from various teacher candidates over this semester! Each novel has a suggested grade level, along with corresponding curricular competencies from the BC curriculum (these are just a few examples for different grades; with some creativity these suggested novels can be used across a variety of grades and subject areas!).

 

UNeducation (Volume 1): A Residential School Graphic Novel

By Jason Eaglespeaker

Age range: Grades 7-10 (*PG version); Grades 11-12 (*Uncut Version)

Synopsis: A five-chapter graphic novel depicting the realities and intergenerational consequences of the Indian residential schooling system (*the Uncut version for “adults” includes a sixth chapter on the sexual abuse in residential schools). For further analysis of the book, read an overview and review of UNeducation (Volume 1) here. 

Click here for link at UBC library.

Suggested Curricular Competency Links (Grade 9)

Social Studies (1750-1919)

  • Emerging ideas and ideologies profoundly influence societies and events.
  • The physical environment influences the nature of political, social, and economic change.
  • Disparities in power alter the balance of relationships between individuals and between societies.

English Language Arts

  • Exploring stories and other texts helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and to the world
  • People understand textdifferently depending on their worldviews and perspectives
  • Questioning what we hear, read, and view contributes to our ability to be educated and engaged citizens.

Visual Arts

  • The visual arts provide opportunities to gain insight into perspectives and experiences of people from a variety of times, places, and cultures.
  • Art experiences can build community and nurture relationships with others.
  • The visual arts use a unique sensory language for creating and communicating.

 

Red: A Haida Manga 

By Michael Yahgulanaas

Age range: Grades 5-10

Synposis: A twist on a traditional Haida narrative, it tells the story of Haida leader, Red, and his sister Jaada. Jaada is eventually captured, and Red is then determined to seek revenge on the captors of his sister – even at the risk of war.

Click here for link at UBC library.

Suggested Curricular Competency Links (Grade 6)

English Language Arts

  • Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy.
  • Exploring and sharing multiple perspectives extends our thinking.
  • Recognize and appreciate the role of story, narrative, and oral tradition in expressing First Peoples perspectives, values, beliefs, and points of view
  • Recognize and identify the role of personal, social, and cultural contexts, values, and perspectives in texts

Visual arts

  • Explore relationships between identity, place, culture, society, and belonging through the arts
  • Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of personal, social, cultural, historical, and environmental contexts in relation to the arts

 

500 Years of Resistance

By Gord Hill

Age range: Grades 7-12

Synopsis: A historically accurate graphic novel that depicts Indigenous resistance to colonization throughout the Americas. Beginning with Columbus and the Spanish Invasion, Hill covers the widespread Indigenous resistance movements across time and geography, documenting the ongoing displacement, assimilation and resilience of Indigenous peoples. It concludes with contemporary Indigenous resistance in Canada, such as the 1990 Oka Crisis and 2006 Caledonia dispute in Six Nations.

Click here for link at UBC library.

Suggested Curricular Competency Links (Grade 10)

Social Studies (1919 to the Present)

  • Compare and contrast continuities and changes for different groups during this period (continuity and change)
  • Assess how prevailing conditions and the actions of individuals or groups influence events, decisions, or developments (cause and consequence)
  • Explain and infer different perspectives on past or present people, places, issues, or events by considering prevailing norms, values, worldviews, and beliefs (perspective)

English Language Arts

  • Applicable to Grade 10 Literary Studies coursework (i.e. “First Peoples’ texts”), and Grade 10 Creative Writing coursework (i.e. “contemporary creative forms such as slam poetry, oratory, rap, drama, song, graphic novels”)

 

 

The Night Wanderer: A Graphic Novel

By Drew Hayden King; Art by Michael Wyatt ; Graphic Adaptation by Alison Kooistra

Age range: Grades 7-12

Synopsis: “Nothing ever happens on the Otter Lake reserve. But when 16-year-old Tiffany discovers her father is renting out her room, she’s deeply upset. Sure, their guest is polite and keeps to himself, but he’s also a little creepy. Little do Tiffany, her father, or even her insightful Granny Ruth know, the mysterious Pierre L’Errant is actually a vampire, returning to his tribal home after centuries spent in Europe” (*retrieved from UBC library website).

Click here for link at UBC library.

Suggested Curricular Competency Links (Grade 9)

Social Studies

  • Disparities in power alter the balance of relationships between individuals and between societies.
  • Collective identity is constructed and can change over time.
  • Explain and infer different perspectives on past or present people, places, issues, or events by considering prevailing norms, values, worldviews, and beliefs (perspective).

Visual Arts

  • Identity is explored, expressed, and impacted through visual arts experiences.
  • The visual arts provide opportunities to gain insight into perspectives and experiences of people from a variety of times, places, and cultures.

English Language Arts

  • Exploring stories and other texts helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and to the world.
  • Texts are socially, culturally, and historically constructed.
  • Recognize and appreciate the role of story, narrative, and oral tradition in expressing First Peoples perspectives, values, beliefs, and points of view