Ka Kiweh Nikamostamatinan/We Sang You Home by Richard Van Camp

by Richard Van Camp

Illustrated by Julie Flett

Translated by Mary Cardinal Collins

I selected "Ka Kiweh Nikamostamatinan/We Sang You Home" by Richard Van Camp.  I picked it because it is written in both Plains Cree and English which I found to be unique. I thought it was a sweet lullaby style of story written for parents to read to a new baby or young toddler. It focuses on how much of a blessing a new child is to the family he or she joins. My favorite line from the story is "We give you kisses to help you grow."

I think this book is an excellent book to share with young children and elementary children. I think it shows a positive image of strong Native families living in a modern world. It is not the stereotypical image of Native American and First Nation families that is usually shown in schools, and I think it would be powerful to share with all ages of children.  I also think it is important to share books in diverse languages rather than always selecting books in English. I had hoped to find a reading of this in Cree on YouTube but I didn't have luck. We have a Native American liaison in the Rochester Public Schools, and I think it would be useful to connect with her to learn more. 

Here is a video link to the story being read aloud in English:

Read more about the author, Richard Van Camp.