Shi-Shi-etko

 

Shi-Shi-etko. Nicola I Campbell. Illus. by Kim LaFave. Berkeley: Groundwood Books, 2005. 30 pages. $16.95 (Hardcover). ISBN 0-88899-659-4. Grades K-2.

There are only “one, two, three, four mornings left” until Shi-shi-etko begins school, or rather her journey to school that will take her far away from her family and home. It became law in Canada that native children must attend an Indian Residential School where they will learn English and lose their traditional name. Shi-shi-etko will no longer be known as “she love to play in the water.” LaFave uses rich, autumnal and dark hues in her full page illustrations that help capture the majesty of the nature and love of Shi-shi-etko’s home; while Campbell lyrically tells the heart wrenching countdown of goodbye. Each family member Shi-shi-etko spends time with in her last few days at home impresses the importance of memory, family, and home in their own way, and Shi-shi-etko vows to remember. Readers will understand the loss and difficulty of leaving such a beautifully described home with its scents, noises, and nature. Together Campbell and LaFave have created a beautiful book that shares a sad story about a practice that has forever changed the lives of thousands. The emotion and determination of this little girl to remember and stay strong will appeal to young readers and touch the hearts of adults everywhere.  Recommended

My Thoughts…

I was glad that the author’s note started rather than ended this book, because had it not I would not have known the significance of Ski-ski-etko’s mandatory schooling and how this little girl’s story represents the loss of an entire people. I didn’t know that residential schooling existed or that the native people in Canada were treated as poorly as those in the United States, since it isn’t an area of history we ever discussed in school (shocking, I know). I loved how the little girl’s tone tried to stay brave, hopeful, and positive although her adults were pushing her to remember in a way that could be off putting to a small child, indicating that there is something wrong. It is a good representation of innocence and trust. I find it interesting that a book can be so beautiful yet so sad at the same time. Watching Shi-shi-etko and the other small children carried off in a cattle truck is heartbreaking, and learning that residential schooling caused the loss of so many traditions and cultures is also devastating. The rich colors of the illustrations and the lyrical flowing story, however, complete with beautiful descriptions of nature and feeling make the book something positive. It’s bittersweet, but a nice book that really speaks to an important part of history.

Potential Reaction…

I would hope that the young audience of this book would read the introductory author’s note or have been taught about residential schooling before reading the story because I think it would help them see how Ski-shi-etko’s interactions with her older family members are very significant. If readers did understand that Shi-shi-etko was being forced to leave her home by the government and was going to be forced to learn a new language and possibly lose her culture I think they would be upset and come up with lots of questions and arguments. I know it would be hard for any child the age of the target audience to imagine having to leave their parents and attend school in another country where they would have to learn a new language. It would be terrifying. I think the calm peaceful reaction of the family in this book would come a surprise too, since it is our culture to get loud and boisterous and ‘sue people’ if injustices are being done. I think readers will be surprised by the peaceful compliance and ask why. I think young readers will enjoy the perspective of a child close to their age and how she sees the world, since it could be similar to their own view. I also think the countdown style of the time will appeal to children because it breaks the poem in to different sections that they can stomach easily. I do think that readers would respond best to this book in a structured setting rather than on their own, unless they themselves are a member or descendent of a displaced, mistreated people. I think Native Americans who have been raised hearing about residential schooling or other unfair practices or have been touched by them will have a very strong personal connection to this book.

Reminds Me Of…

Although the few connections I am going to make are loose, it’s the best I can do right now. The elimination or belittling of a people and a culture is a theme in this book, though it is well hidden under the lyrical words and beautiful pictures. The author does make sure to point out how the ‘Whites’ came in and disrupted the way of life, however. This reminds me of the intrusion of the Wasichu settlers in Bruchac’s Crazy Horse’s Vision. Although these people did not force the Lakotas to go to school they did come in and step on their toes. The stories in these two books are completely different, but they could be used together to show how Native Americans have been pushed out by the new settlers in different ways. I was also reminded of Peter Sís’s The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain because the government in that story also regulated the way of life for its citizens. Yes, it is in a much more extreme way, but it still talks about how symbols and practices of a people can be threatened and almost eliminated just based on who is in power and popular opinion. I think there are dozens of stories about the relocation and forced education of Native Americans that would be better related titles, but I am not familiar with those yet, so these are the only broad connections I can make right now.