M A I f IDS o THE K ION 4 DIVIS
Copyright © 2017 The Writers’ Exchange This book was created by Division 4, Ms. La Porte’s grade 1 class, at the Aboriginal Focus School in the fall of 2016. The Writers’ Exchange gets inner-city kids excited about reading and writing through mentoring and creative writing projects like this chapbook. All Writers’ Exchange programs are free for the children and families we serve, so we could not exist without the support of amazing donors, including Marily Mearns, the Waterbury Foundation, Social Venture Partners Vancouver, Megan Abbott, Bernard MacLeod, Linda Louis, TELUS Vancouver Community Board, Leo and Florence Helzel, BPS Wealth Management, Nancy and Ted Maitland, Lynn and Gene Gerwing, the RBC Foundation, the City of Vancouver and the Wolrige Foundation. Thank you.
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support Writers’ Exchange in-school projects.
we live, work, learn and play on the traditional lands of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Coast
Generously donated the
Salish people.
printing of this chapbook.
Writers’ Exchange mentors: Brenda, Jane, Jen, Katharine, Kirsten, Max, Randy, Wendy and Joe Aboriginal Focus School staff: Deb McGregor and Bronwyn Young Design and layout: Setareh Ashrafologhalai, setarehashraf.com Production coordination and editing: Melissa Edwards Creative lead: Jennifer MacLeod
Introduct ion This book was created by Division 4 at the Aboriginal Focus School. We drew pictures of ourselves and wrote about who we are and what things we like and are good at. We also wrote about our family’s first languages. We hope you like finding out about us, and learning some new words.
Contents Kaileah 3
Forrest 13
Kaden 4
Elijah M. 14
Mieka 5
Kiaayo 15
Saje 6
Marius 16
Mason 7
Elijah H. 17
David 8
Odin 18
Ashlyn 9
Logan 19
Asher 10
Ryan 20
Bradley 11
Faith 21
Christian 12
You 22
i am
creative • careful • caring • nice •
creative • careful • caring • nice • cre
ative •
careful • caring • nice • creative • careful •
Kaileah
careful • caring • nice • creative •
I belong to the Lil'wat Nation. We speak Ucwalmícwts. A phrase in our language is áma ti7. It means “that’s good.” I’m fast. I play piano. I like being a big sister. I do Nisga'a dancing.
3
i am
Kaden fast • happy • smart • fast • happy • smart
happy • smar t • fast • happy •
smart • fast • happy • smart • fast • happy
•
• smart • fast • happy • smart •
I belong to the Muscowpetung Nation. We speak Cree. A word in our language is kōna. It means “snow.” I like to play video games. I have a little brother. I like colours.
4
i am
Mieka
I belong to the Nuxalk Nation. We speak Nuxalk. A word in our language is ank'pts. It means “mouse.� I like rats. I am fast. I can draw.
5
i am
Saje smart • strong • smart • strong • smart
strong • smart • strong • smart • strong
• strong • smart • strong • smart •
• smart • strong • smart • strong •
I belong to the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation. We speak Kwak'wala. A word in our language is ǥilakas'la. It means “thank you.” I can run fast. I like lemons. I can read at level 12.
6
i am
Mason
• kind • cool • friend • kind • cool
• friend • kind • cool • friend • kind •
• kind • cool • friend • kind • cool • friend
cool • friend • kind • cool • friend
I belong to the Cree Nation. We speak Cree. A word in our language is ātimwak. It means “dogs.” I am funny, kind, creative and exciting. My favourite dog is Coco.
7
i am
David funny • friend • funny • friend
friend • funny • friend • funny
• funny • friend • funny • friend • funny •
• friend • funny • friend • funny • friend • I belong to the Dene Nation. We speak Dene. A word in our language is hóʔą. It means “welcome.”
8
i am
Ashlyn loving • playful • happy • loving • playful •
• happy • loving • playful • happy •
I belong to the Nisga'a Nation. We speak Nisga'a. A word in our language is lukw'il aam. It means “very good.”
9
happy • loving • playful • happy • loving • playful
playful • happy • loving • playful •
i am
Asher • fast • cool • smart • fast • cool • smart •
fast • cool • smart • fast • cool • smart • fast
cool • smart • fast • cool • smart •
• cool • smart • fast • cool • smart My ancestors come from Germany. A word in our language is auf Wiedersehen. It means “goodbye.” I am really good at Star Wars, swimming and spelling. I love cats.
10
i am
Bradley
I belong to the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation. We speak Kwak'wala. A word in our language is t' sa̱ mx'i. It means “point to.”
11
i am
Christian
I belong to the Nisga'a Nation. We speak Nisga'a. A phrase in our language is sayt–k'il'im–g̱ oot. It means “one heart, one path, one nation.”
12
i am
Forrest
• cool • fast • strong • smart • clever •
helpful • cool • fast • strong • smart • clever • helpful
cool • fast • strong • smart • clever •
helpful • cool • fast • strong • smart • clever • helpful
•
I belong to the Niitsitapi Nation. We speak Niitsitapi. A word in our language is ki'sómma. It means “sun.”
13
i am
Elijah M.
I belong to the Haida Nation. We speak Xaadas Kil. A word in our language is haawa. It means “thank you.”
14
i am
Kiaayo fast • strong • healthy • brave • fast • strong •
• fast • strong • healthy • brave •
I belong to the Niitsitapi Nation. We speak Niitsitapi. A word in our language is nànan. It means “five.” I’m funny. I’m good at writing my name. I’m a good friend. I’m good at playing games.
15
healthy • brave • fast • strong • healthy • brave
healthy • brave • fast • strong •
i am
Marius
I belong to the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation. We speak Kwak'wala. A word in our language is ǥilakas'la. It means “thank you.”
16
i am
Elijah H.
I belong to the Stl'atl'imx Nation. We speak Ucwalmícwts. A word in our language is i. It means “yes.” I am good at playing Robot Race. I have good manners. I am a good friend. I am curious.
17
i am
Odin
I belong to the Cree Nation. We speak Cree. A word in our language is hai-hai. It is a way of saying thank you.
18
i am
Logan
I belong to the Ojibway Nation. We speak Ojibway. A word in our language is aaniin. It means “hello.” I like watermelon.
19
i am
Ryan
I belong to the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation. We speak Kwak'wala. A word in our language is ǥilakas'la. It means “thank you.” I like to play tag. I’m fun. I’m nice. I’m a good friend.
20
i am
Faith nice to friends • happy • kind • happy
• nice to friends • happy • kind •
• nice to friends • happy • kind
nice to friends • happy • kind •
I belong to the Haida Nation. We speak Xaadas Kil. A word in our language is hawaa. It means “thank you.” I like eagles. I like summer. I am a star. I like melons. I love rollercoasters. I am polite. My favourite word in English is “gold.”
21
Who Are You?
Draw Yourself and Become a Cool Kid of Division 4!
22
Who Are You? My favourite language is:
My favourite word is:
Things that make me special are:
23
autographs
24
As an author of a Writers’ Exchange book, you are invited to sign up for our FREE after-school and summer programs at the Writers’ Exchange home base, at 881 East Hastings Street. We run programs for kids in grades 1 to 12. Ask your teacher for a signup sheet, go to vancouverWE.com or call Jennifer at 604-428-8228 for more information.