What’s in a Name?

Ask students: Why do the characters in the story have English names? How do you think they felt not being able to keep their own names? How would you feel if someone came and renamed you and you couldn’t be called your name anymore?

Subtle Feelings

Ask students: Why do you think their father gave Shi-shi-etko a tiny canoe before they left? What evidence does the author give that lets you know how the adults are feeling about the two children leaving for residential school?

Significance of Braids

Shi-shi-etko doesn’t want a repeat of what happened the previous year when the people at the residential school cut off her braids and threw them away. She asks her grandmother to cut them for her, and afterward she and Shin-chi go “up the mountain to put their braids...

Feelings in Images

Ask students: Looking at the first picture in the story, how do you think Shi-shi-etko is feeling about leaving? How can you tell?