• Reading age: 7 to 12

“With the passing of many of our Elders, the telling of these stories becomes more valuable than ever.” — Raymond Yakeleya

The Tree by the Woodpile is a story about a “First Nations boy who is told an enchanting tale by his grandmother about how an old tree by the woodpile provides food and shelter for the birds and animals of the North. Other stories in the book are “The Wolf,” and “The Mountain, the Wind, and the Wildflowers.” The stories are suffused with Newet'sine, the Creator and Spirit of Nature, who brings a message of how we must to cherish our land. The book, written in English and Dene for middle-grade children, ages 7 to 12, supports the "First Peoples Principles of Learning," particularly recognizing the role of Indigenous knowledge and learning embedded in memory, history, and story.

Raymond Yakeleya is an award-winning Dene television producer, director and writer. Originally from Tulita in the Northwest Territories, he now calls Edmonton, Alberta home. Raymond is author of the Dene children’s book The Tree by the Woodpile and editor of We Remember the Coming of the White Man and Indigenous Justice. He wrote an extensive foreword in Nahganne: Northern Tales of the Sasquatch. Says Raymond, “Indigenous Peoples need to have a voice in mainstream media in order to tell our stories, our way. With the passing of many of our Elders, the telling of these stories has become more important.”

Raymond Yakeleya's profile page

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"Family ties inform an Indigenous New Wave" by Carrie Tait. The Globe & Mail, January 6, 2018.

“Raymond Yakeleya has spent 20 years fulfilling his grandmother’s deathbed wish that he document ‘what happened to our people.’ He is among Indigenous people ‘taking control of messaging in interesting ways’.” — Carrie Tait, Globe & Mail

As a spider weaves a web which is fragile yet strong, Raymond Yakeleya weaves the beauties and truths of nature into tales told through the eyes of his Dene grandmothers. The Indigenous peoples of Canada’s far North keep alive their traditions and legends of the Creator’s world and human caring. Young people of all cultures can learn about respect for each other and for the gifts of life in Indigenous communities far from the urban centres. In the main story in the book, ‘The Tree by the Woodpile’, Raymond offers a delicate and compelling description of the great gifts of a single tree, our common ties to the land, and the gentle voice of a grandmother. This book could be a significant contribution to middle school classrooms across Canada and beyond, leading to greater reconciliation and recognition of our First Nations.

– Mary Stapleton, Permanent Observer, Arctic Council and Cultural Liaison, Arctic Institute of North America, University of Calgary

I always tell the students that my greatest teacher was an Elder who did not have more than a grade 6 education (in the White man's world). That said, he had a doctorate level in the school of life. This man was the wisest human being that I ever encountered and was a wealth of knowledge when it came to his people's teachings.

I was priviledged to learn from him for four years. This goes to say how important it is to value Aboriginal knowledge for what it is: KNOWLEDGE, and how important it is to for this knowledge to be passed on.

I read the two stories that you wrote. and I was deeply moved. Truth to be told, your grandmother was a great teacher. As for the Wolf story, it is so meaningful. Yes, animals come to us when there is a big teaching that must be passed on, but for this to happen one must have that magical connection with the animal world. One must be grounded.

Your stories teach our children the depth of our relation with Mother Earth, and how all forms of life relate to one another.

– Philippe Brulot, Principal, Chief Albert Wright School, Tulita Northwest Territory