In 2018 the Babies, Books and Bonding team of the Northern Healthy Communities Partnership published “Are You Hungry”? a multilingual children’s board book available in Cree, Dene or Michif alongside English. Sponsored by Dr. James Irvine and wife Trudy Connor, the book is written, illustrated and translated by northerner Saskatchewan residents. This book was published in direct response to requests from northern Saskatchewan parents for books in local Indigenous languages to be included in the Babies, Books and Bonding program.
The book was written by Calyn Stange (Burnouf), a dietitian of Metis ancestry, and illustrated by Crystal Seegerts, a self-taught artist and student from Black Lake, SK. Are You Hungry? features the story of a northern Saskatchewan family as they gather and prepare food for a family meal, showcasing traditional activities, healthy eating and resilience-building family rituals in a northern Saskatchewan context.
Children begin learning language from a very young age, even before they are born. When children grow up in homes filled with language, and when they are engaged in conversation, storytelling, reading and songs (even before they can speak) it helps them learn to talk and learn to read. Reading has links to academic achievement, employment, and health status over the lifetime.
As well, cultural continuity, including traditional language knowledge, may be a protective factor for the health and well-being of Indigenous people, including protecting against suicide and diabetes. The publication of Are You Hungry? aims to encourage not only language exposure and literacy development, but also promote the use and preservation of the northern Saskatchewan’s Indigenous languages and cultural traditions.
Want to get your hands on a copy of the book? You can place an order by downloading the form below.
Check out our video’s for this project which tells the story behind the project, as well as shows the book being read in Cree, Dene, and Michif alongside English! Play the video and read along!