Note: The audio contains cues to let the reader know when to turn the pages of the book.
Reading by Margaret Noodin Reading by Margaret Noodin
Reading by Mike Zimmerman Jr Reading by Mike Zimmerman Jr
A community welcomes its veterans home from World War II and they work together to build something for the future generations and to remember the past. Authors Howard Kimewon and Margaret Noodin share this story of Manitoulin Island, “the place of the spirits.” Set in 1940s, this true story of survivors of war honoring those who will never return by building an ice arena is told in both Anishinaabemowin and English.
The book contains a three-line version of the story so that readers will see and learn the meaning of each word in the Anishinaabe order. The top line is exactly as it was spoken by fluent speaker, Howard Kimewon. The second line is a direct translation of the meaning contained in the words and sometimes parts of words. The third line is the same meaning as it would be spoken by someone fluent in English. There is often a difference between the literal and literary English and clearly seeing that difference can help students understand how to think and speak in Anishinaabemowin.
For Kimewon, a teacher and author who grew up in the Murray Hill area of Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve and heard these stories passed down from generations, this is an opportunity to share both his language and his history. As a boy he skated at this rink and heard the story of how it came to be. As he told this story it was carefully transcribed and edited by Noodin.
In addition to the story the book also contains a glossary, explanations, exercises and an audio CD with recordings. The story was beautifully illustrated by A.L. Bliss of Ann Arbor using ink and scratchboard.
The book and CD were published in 2009 by Ningwakwe Learning Press in Ontario Canada. To order a copy you can: