Service Alert
July 1 - Canada Day
CELA will be closed on Tuesday, July 1st for Canada Day. Our office will reopen and our Contact Centre services will resume on Wednesday, July 2nd. Enjoy your holiday!
CELA will be closed on Tuesday, July 1st for Canada Day. Our office will reopen and our Contact Centre services will resume on Wednesday, July 2nd. Enjoy your holiday!
Showing 1 - 20 of 544 items
By Tyna Legault Taylor. 2025
Learn about the rhythms of the seasons with Joshua in this captivating read-aloud story for ages 5 to 8. Joshua…
loves being on the land. When the weather is warm, Joshua and his dad gather mint from the shores of Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (Lake Nipigon First Nation) in northeastern Ontario. But when will that be? It’s not when the leaves are changing colour. It’s not when the snow falls from the sky. It’s not when the flowers are budding. When is it time to gather mint from the land? In the back of the book, find a glossary and pronunciation guide for the Swampy Cree and Anishinaabemowin words featured throughout the story.By David Robertson. 2024
"Eleven-year-old Alex is a natural on the ice, but can he stand proud when he's judged for who he is…
and where he comes from? Hockey fans will love this action-packed middle grade novel about teamwork, overcoming adversity, and being proud of who you are and where you come from. Everything is changing for 11-year-old Alex Robinson. After his father accepts a new job, Alex and his family move from their community to the city. For the first time in his life, he doesn't fit in. His fellow students don't understand Indigenous culture. Even a simple show of respect to his teacher gets him in trouble. Things begin to look up after Alex tries out for a local hockey team. Playing for the Kodiaks, Alex proves himself as one of the best, but he becomes a target because he's Indigenous. Can Alex trust his teammates and stand up to the jerks on other teams? Can he find a way to fit in and still be who he's meant to be?"By Sira Chayer. 2024
"Piari vit une grande tristesse, coincé au milieu d'une rivière qu'il nourrit de ses larmes. C'est alors qu'un Grand Guerrier…
apparaît devant lui et l'encourage à avancer malgré le chagrin. Le jeune Inuk réussit à faire un pas, puis un autre. Piari parviendra-t-il à faire disparaître son nuage gris pour toujours?"By Ošil Betty Wilson. 2025
It&’s ošil&’s favourite time of year! When the seasons change and the weather grows warm, the ɬagət̓ (herring) return to…
the waters of the ɬaʔəmɩn Nation, located on the southwest coast of British Columbia. For ošil and her grandparents, their arrival is the beginning of a full year of harvesting traditional foods provided by the sea and land. Together they fish, pick berries, and dig for clams. Everything tastes so good. And the best part is that there is enough for everyone to share! Connect with the land and explore traditional Indigenous ways of gathering food in this beautifully illustrated picture book written in the language spoken in Tla&’amin and English. Drawn from the childhood memories of ošil (betty wilson), this book is sure to charm readers of all agesBy Masiana Kelly. 2024
"Big or small, sweet or savoury, with stew or with sprinkles, there are tons of ways to enjoy bannock! This…
rhyming book explores a favourite Inuit food, and has some fun along the way. What’s your favourite way to eat bannock? Try it at home with the included bannock recipe! Written by Inuk/Dene writer Masiana Kelly, this sweet and simple narrative celebrates this delicious food."By Elder Johnny Aitken, Jess Willows. 2025
To Jessie and Johnny, their friendship is easy. Jessie and Johnny have been inseparable ever since Jessie moved to the…
small island town during summer break. But as they begin fourth grade together, the new school year gets off to a rocky start when outside pressures and differences in their home lives threaten their friendship. Jessie lives comfortably and never worries about money while Johnny lives with his father and stepmother on the reserve outside of town. With guidance from Raven and spiritual teacher, Steven, the two friends bridge the gaps between them and learn to lean on each other through family troubles and cultural differences. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.By David A. Robertson. 2023
From the award-winning author of On the Trapline comes a cinematic fantasy-adventure story inspired by Indigenous legends.One summer day, Lauren…
and her little brother, James, go on a trip to the land with their Moshom (grandfather). After they've arrived, the children decide to fish for dinner while Moshom naps. They are in their canoe in the middle of the lake when the water around them begins to swirl and crash. They are thrown overboard and when Lauren surfaces she sees her brother being pulled away by the Memekwesewak — creatures who live in and around water and like to interfere with humans. Lauren must follow the Memekwesewak through a portal and along a watery path to find and bring back James. But when she finally comes upon her brother, she too feels the lure of the Memekwesewak&’s song. Something even stronger must pull them back home.By Julie Flett. 2024
"An extraordinary book that celebrates skateboarding, family, and community. Every day, a little boy watches kids pass by on skateboards,…
and dreams of joining them. One day, his mother brings a surprise: her old skateboard, just for him! haw êkwa! Let's go! Together, they practice on the sidewalk, at the park, in Auntie's yard -- everywhere. But when it comes time to try the skatepark, the skateboarders crash down like a waterfall. Can he find the confidence to join them?"By Jessica Outram. 2024
It's the summer of 1914. Eight-year-old Bernice lives with her family in a lighthouse on Georgian Bay. Bernice doesn't get…
to explore much farther than their island, but she has her books to fuel her imagination, including her favorite, Treasure Island. One day Bernice wakes up to find a stranger named Tom Thomson sleeping in their living room. When she overhears him talk about gold on a nearby island, Bernice is determined to find it. Inspired by her beloved Mémèr's stories of their Métis family's adventures and hardships, Bernice takes the treasure map the stranger left behind and sets out in a rowboat with nothing more than her two dogs for company and the dream of changing her family's fortunes foreverBy Brittany Luby. 2019
Two people navigate their differences with curiosity and openness in this stunning picture book that imagines the first meeting between…
an Indigenous fisher and a European sailor.Based on an actual journal entry by French explorer Jacques Cartier from his first expedition to North America in July 1534, this story imagines the first encounter between a European sailor and a Stadaconan fisher. As the two navigate their differences (language, dress, food) with curiosity, the natural world around them notes their similarities. The seagull observes their like shadows, the mosquito notes their equally appealing blood, the mouse enjoys the crumbs both people leave behind. This story explores how encounters can create community and celebrates varying perspectives and the natural world. It is at once specific and universal. It's a story based on a primary document and historical research, but it is in equal measure beautifully imagined. It makes room for us to recognize our differences while celebrating our shared humanity.Debut author Brittany Luby's background in social justice and history brings a breathtaking depth of insight and understanding to this story and Michaela Goade's expressive art brings equal life to the creatures and landscapes. An author's note outlines the historical context as well as situates the story in the present day.By null Penny M. Thomas. 2024
In this warm and joyful picture book highly recommended by Debbie Reese, children learn Cree from Nimoshom, their school bus…
driver. Based on the author&’s memories of her grandfather, Nimoshom is not your average bus driver. He loves to drive the school bus, tell silly stories, and share his language with the kids who ride his bus. Nimoshom and His Bus introduces readers to common Cree words and phrases alongside the common childhood experience of riding the school bus. A Cree word list is included in the back of the book.By Null Katherena Vermette. 2015
Misaabe tells great stories—stories about saving a city from giant green trolls, reading supersonic books with x-ray glasses, and how…
his dad is a secret agent fighting bad guys, and that&’s why he can&’t come to visit. When Misaabe&’s stories go too far, he must learn how to be honest and authentic with his friends.An Anishinaabe child shares his talent for storytelling and learns to embrace his insecurities in this relatable story. A pronunciation guide for the Anishnaabemowin words can be found at the back of the book.Rich in culture and grounded in traditional knowledge, Katherena Vermette&’s The Seven Teachings Stories series features themes of love, wisdom, humility, courage, respect, honesty, and truth. Contemporary Indigenous children explore the Seven Teachings of the Anishinaabe through stories of home and family that will look familiar to all young readers in these books for ages 3–5.By null David A. Robertson. 2014
When Cole's teacher catches him drawing rather than listening in class, he gives Cole a special assignment: an oral presentation…
on an important Aboriginal figure. Cole will do almost anything to avoid speaking in public -- even feigning illness. But when he hear the story of the remarkable woman known as Thanadelthur—peacemaker between the Cree and the Dene and interpreter for the governor of Fort York -- he is so inspired by her bravery, he overcomes his own fears.The Peacemaker is one book in the Tales from Big Spirit series. Tales from Big Spirit is a unique seven-book graphic novel series that delves into the stories of seven great Indigenous heroes from Canadian history—some already well known and others who deserve to be. Designed to correspond to grades 4–6 social studies curriculums across Canada, these full colour graphic novels could be used in literature circles, novel studies, and book clubs to facilitate discussion of social studies topics. These books will help students make historical connections while promoting important literacy skills.By Null Charlene Bearhead, Null Wilson Bearhead. 2020
When Siha Tooskin—Paul Wahasaypa—finds himself not feeling at all well he learns that there are answers for him from the…
healing practices of his own people and from Western medicine. Pay a hospital visit to Paul as he learns more about where &“modern medicine&” really comes from and how we can all benefit from Indigenous and Western healers as Paul seeks the best medicine for his own wellness.The Siha Tooskin Knows series uses vivid narratives and dazzling illustrations in contemporary settings to share stories about an 11-year-old Nakota boy.By Null Bernelda Wheeler. 1993
This beloved Indigenous classic begins when a little boy asks, &“Mom, can I have some bannock?&” Despite having all the…
ingredients, Mom can&’t make bannock.As the little boy asks &“why,&” beginning readers learn about the connections between living things in an ecosystem through the ripple effects of a beaver building a dam.Children will be eager to chime in as Mom answers the little boy&’s questions about the power outage in their community and how it impacts his family. Enjoy Mom&’s bannock with your young reader using the recipe in the back of the book.By Null Charlene Bearhead, Null Wilson Bearhead. 2020
A new baby due any day AND a visit from his grandparents!Siha Tooskin (Paul) takes his expert bike riding to…
a whole new level to make sure he doesn't miss a thing. At home, Mugoshin (Grandmother) is creating a very special gift to protect the precious little one. Join Paul as he enjoys delicious bannock, imagines the future of a new baby sister, and listens to Mugoshin&’s teachings about the catcher of dreams.The Siha Tooskin Knows series uses vivid narratives and dazzling illustrations in contemporary settings to share stories about an 11-year-old Nakota boy.By null David A. Robertson. 2016
On her way to school one day, Sarah is relieved to find the book she’d dropped the day before—shortly after…
an encounter with a bear. But when she opens it, the story within, about the Cree chief Mistahimaskwa, comes alive. It takes Sarah back to the Saskatchewan Plains of 1832, where the young boy who would become the great chief first learns the ways of his people, to the final days of his life.By null Penny M. Thomas. 2013
This unique counting book introduces Cree numbers, from one to ten. Featuring powwow imagery that reflects the rich culture and…
tradition of the Cree people, rhyme, rhythm, and glowing illustration combine to make language learning a joyful experience for young readers. A pronunciation guide is included in the back of the book. Winner of McNally Robinson Book for Young People AwardSelected for The Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Best Books for Kids & TeensApproved resource for Manitoba classroomsBy Null Katherena Vermette. 2015
Amik loves going to school, but when he shares this with his grandfather, he finds out Moshoom attended residential school.…
At Moshoom&’s school, students were forbidden from speaking their language. It sounds very different from Amik's school, so Amik has an idea…In this heartwarming story, an Anishinaabe child shows his grandfather how his school celebrates the culture that residential schools tried to erase. A pronunciation guide for the Anishnaabemowin words can be found at the back of the book.Rich in culture and grounded in traditional knowledge, Katherena Vermette&’s The Seven Teachings Stories series features themes of love, wisdom, humility, courage, respect, honesty, and truth. Contemporary Indigenous children explore the Seven Teachings of the Anishinaabe through stories of home and family that will look familiar to all young readers in these books for ages 3–5.By null Sara Florence Davidson, Null Robert Davidson. 2022
Based on author Sara Florence Davidson’s childhood memories, this illustrated story captures the joy and adventure of a Haida fish camp.Every…
summer, a Haida girl and her family travel up the Yakoun River on Haida Gwaii, following the salmon. While their father fishes, the girl and her brother spend their time on the land playing and learning from Tsinii (Grandfather).