Children's Fiction Native Canadian
Gift of the Stars, The
- Publisher
- Kegedonce Press
- Initial publish date
- Aug 2010
- Category
- Native Canadian, Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9780978499860
- Publish Date
- Aug 2010
- List Price
- $16
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Where to buy it
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age: 10 to 17
- Grade: 5 to 12
- Reading age: 11 to 13
Description
"Before books there was the land. It taught our ancestors what they needed to know in order to survive; it challenged our ancestors to use what they had learned to edify their spirits, souls, hearts and minds. What they learned was revelation.
While also serving as a mantra for the study of the Ojibwe language, The Gift of the Stars advances the knowledge so necessary for Ojibwe students today. There is a critical need for academic materials to revitalize the language in a time when it does face ultimate extinction. Basil's work goes a long way to stemming the tide." -Dr. Cecil King, founder of the Indian Teacher Education Program, University of Saskatchewan."
About the authors
Basil Johnston is cherished as an esteemed Anishinaabe writer, storyteller, language teacher and scholar. He was born in Wasauking First Nation in 1929, and was a member of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. Basil wrote fifteen books in English and five in Ojibway.
For his work, Johnston received numerous awards including the Order of Ontario and three honourary doctorates. Basil's accolades include the 2013 Ontario Arts Council Aboriginal Arts Award, the 2007 Anskohk Aboriginal Literary Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2004 Aboriginal Achievement Award for Heritage and Spirituality and the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal.
Basil Johnston was one of the foremost Anishinaabe writers and storytellers, and his comedic stories about life in residential school, Indian School Days, is a classic. Candies is another of his delightful humourous works. In Think Indian, Basil highlights the critical importance of preserving Indigenous language and culture. Basil passed away at Wiarton, Ontario in 2015 at the age of 86.
