• Age: 4 to 7
• Grade: p to 2

Indigenous Knowledge Series
Top Grade: CanLit for the Classroom selection, 2022
Best Books for Kids and Teens, Fall 2022 selection
English description follows.

C'est le début du mois de juillet, et pour Matthew et sa tantine, cela signifie une chose : c'est le temps de la cueillette de foin d'odeur. Cette année, le jeune cousin de Matthew, Warren, y va aussi, et ce sera la première fois qu'il se rend au littoral où pousse le foin d'odeur. Grâce aux savoirs mi'kmaw traditionnels de Tantine et aux doux conseils de Matthew, Warren découvre la variété d'utilisations du foin d'odeur — comme médecine traditionnelle, offrande sacrée, ingrédient de purification par la fumée — ainsi que l'importance de ne pas cueillir plus que nécessaire pour ses besoins. Une fois le trio de retour chez Tantine, elle montre aux garçons comment nettoyer et tresser le foin. Cette histoire touchante sur les cadeaux que nous recevons de la Terre Mère et comment les cueillir avec respect offre une perspective réfléchie sur une tradition autochtone vénérée.

It's early July, and for Matthew and his Auntie that means one thing: time to go sweetgrass picking. This year, Matthew's younger cousin Warren is coming along, and it will be his first time visiting the shoreline where the sweetgrass grows.

With Auntie's traditional Mi'kmaw knowledge and Matthew's gentle guidance, Warren learns about the many uses for sweetgrass — as traditional medicine, a sacred offering, a smudging ingredient — and the importance of not picking more than he needs. Once the trio is back at Auntie's house, she shows the boys how to clean and braid the grass.

This heartfelt story about the gifts we receive from Mother Earth and how to gather them respectfully offers thoughtful insight into a treasured Mi'kmaw tradition.

Jessica Jerome is a two-spirit graphic designer, born in the Listuguj Mi'kmaw First Nation, and raised as a member of the Mi'kmaq's of Gesgapegiag, located along the banks of the Gaspé Peninsula. Originally introduced to art as a way of dealing with grief, Jessica quickly became a skilled artist, earning certificates in visual arts, communications, and graphic design. Works as a freelance graphic designer/Illustrator and artist consultant. Her artwork is displayed in galleries and privately owned.

Jessica Jerome's profile page

Theresa Meuse is the former chief of Bear River First Nation and has worked in various jobs with Mi’kmaq organizations. She is an educator and advisor and author of a children’s book titled The Sharing Circle. Lesley Choyce is the publisher of Pottersfield Press, an English instructor in Dalhousie University’s Transition Year Program and the author of a number of books. Julia Swan is an editor with Pottersfield Press and teaches English at Dalhousie University.

Theresa Meuse's profile page