Shinchi's Canoe

Shinchi's Canoe

Written by: Nicola I. Campbell
Illustrated by: Kim LaFave

Elementary Grades

"A follow up to the book Shi-shi-etko also written by Campbell, this realistic, tender story recounts the experiences of Native siblings sent to a government-mandated, church-run boarding school such as those that were common in Canada and the United States from the late 1800s until the 1970s. Hauled away with the other reservation children in a cattle truck, six-year-old Shin-chi and his older sister, Shi-shi-etko, try to memorize life at home from the "trees, mountains, and river below." Shin-chi clutches a tiny carved canoe, a forbidden memento homemade by her father. During the school year (until the sockeye salmon return), Shin-chi and Shi-shi-etko are not allowed to speak to one another and must endure the cruel treatment and restrictions forced upon Native children as they work and go to mass and to school. Hungry and lonely, young Shin-chi tries desperately to hold on to his Native traditions, sneaking out to sing his grandfather's prayer song and release his canoe in the river. An author's introduction details the practice of sending Native children to residential schools. An accessible and important contribution to Native literature."

School Library Journal Review

Online Resources:
http://www.umanitoba.ca/cm/vol15/no7/shinchiscanoe.html