In the face of such cruelty, Margaret refuses to be intimidated and bravely gets rid of the stockings.

Intending to humiliate her, the heartless Raven gives gray stockings to all the girls - all except Margaret, who gets red ones. She immediately dislikes the strong-willed young Margaret. Faced with unceasing pressure, her father finally agrees to let her make the five-day journey to attend school, but he warns Margaret of the terrors of residential schools.At school Margaret soon encounters the Raven, a black-cloaked nun with a hooked nose and bony fingers that resemble claws. And so Shi-shi-etko carefully gathers her memories for safekeeping.Įight-year-old Margaret Pokiak has set her sights on learning to read, even though it means leaving her village in the high Arctic. Her mother, father and grandmother, each in turn, share valuable teachings that they want her to remember. She spends her last days at home treasuring the beauty of her world - the dancing sunlight, the tall grass, each shiny rock, the tadpoles in the creek, her grandfather’s paddle song. In just four days young Shi-shi-etko will have to leave her family and all that she knows to attend residential school. Shi Shi Etko by Nicola Campbell (see attached lesson plans) ENG | FRE.These messages may be words of understanding, or I know/I wonder questions about her experience at the school. After reading the book have the students colour orange hearts and write messages for Olemaun.Now they, too, can meet this remarkable girl who reminds us what power we hold when we can read. Based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, and complemented by stunning illustrations, When I Was Eight makes the bestselling Fatty Legs accessible to younger readers. Ignoring her father’s warnings, she travels far from her Arctic home to the outsiders’ school to learn. Olemaun is eight and knows a lot of things. When I was Eight by Margaret Pokiak-Fenton Create a class book illustrating Phyllis’ story with promotes and student illustrations.Have students colour the two sided shirt template.Have students talk about their feelings about the first day of school or when they were courageous/brave.Read a book that talks about the first day of school such as Jessica by Kevin Henkes, Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt or The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.Lesson Plans and Resources: Kindergarten – Grade 3 The Manitoba Teachers’ Society – together with Manitoba’s education partners and many Indigenous organizations – will be honouring residential school survivors. It’s also Orange Shirt Day across Canada. September 30 is the new National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

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