Come and Learn With Me = Éwo, séh Kedįdįh

In the small community Sambass K’e, or Trout Lake, NT, the children all go to school during the day. Since the community has a population of about 80, there is often only one child in each grade, allowing everyone to learn at her/his own pace. But right now, it is the fall – the season of Moose. Consequently, school will commence in a couple of weeks after the Cultural Days, which means the children have much to learn. The reader is invited to come and learn with Sheyenne Jumbo, a nine-year-old grade 5 student of Sambass K’e, as she explores her town, discovers the traditions of her elders, and learns from experts in her community about hunting moose, making dry meat, fishing, preparing hide, creating birchbark and spruce-root containers, and gathering medicinal and edible plants.

Sheyenne is a life-long learner, and her favourite subject is math, but she also loves to read and write and was even the grand prize winner for North West Territories for the” Canada Writes to Read” contest with her story ‘The Giant Who Formed Trout Lake’. This story, as well as another story called ‘Clean Socks’, are included in this book. ‘Clean Socks’ is a vivid story about a girl who lives in a small village called Big Fish where socks are not available to purchase from a store. The girl has to take an airplane with her mother to the closest town that does sell clothes in order to buy new, clean socks. Both stories are excellent additions to show the reader what everyday life is like for Sheyenne.

The pairing of Tessa Macintosh’s photographs with Mindy Willett and Sheyenne Jumbo’s subtle and engaging details provides the reader with a glimpse into a small northern community through the eyes of an insightful child who is immersed in its culture. Having Sheyenne co-author her story and discuss firsthand details of her traditions gives this work of nonfiction more authenticity. The details in each photograph portrayal Sheyenne as equal parts relatable, and unique, encouraging readers to learn more about Trout Lake and the Dehcho Territory.