Summary
This is a beautifully written and illustrated story told from the perspective of a young Ojibwe girl who is told the legend of her people, the Water Protectors, from her grandmother. Her grandmother, who she calls Nokomis, uses the legend of her people to not only help connect the girl to her ancestors and help her understand more about who she is, but to also empower her. The story emphasizes the importance of protecting the earth's water and defending those who cannot defend themselves.
Personal Response
I think this story is a great way to introduce critical issues such as water conservation to young readers. It is a beautiful story with equally beautiful illustrations that captivate readers and empower them like the young girl in the story. I think it's important for children to be introduced to critical issues now, so they can have the opportunity to grow up with a can-do attitude and desire to see change. Books can have the power to create and foster passions in children that will lead the through their lives. To be honest, before reading this book, I did not realize that water conservations was critical issue. It is something I haven't thought about. That is why I think this book is a great to help young minds understand what critical issues are and what they can do to help!
Evaluation
The story is centered around the Ojibwe culture, which is something you don't find on every bookshelf. The author includes information in the back about the Ojibwe culture and the fact that within that culture, women are the protectors of water. Not only does this book depict a typically marginalized group of people, but it also focuses on the empowerment of women. The fact that the author includes information in the back helps readers understand that what they are reading is grounded in historical truth. The Ojibwe culture is represented throughout this book through the use of illustrations, language, and story. Even though the Ojibwe culture is presented throughout the text, it is inclusive of ALL people on page 17 along with a drawing of the earth: "The earth. We are all related." This is a powerful statement that goes out to all readers and invites everyone to take a hand in protecting and conserving the earth's water. Both the author and illustrator are actively involved in supporting Indigenous Peoples and work closely with them. More information can be found about them and their work on their websites listed below:
Here is a link to the author's website for more information: http://www.carolelindstrom.com/
Here is a link to the illustrator's website as well:
Text Connections
It is important for students to always make connections to what they read. To help students make connections to We Are Water Protectors, I would use Laminack & Kelly's framework that includes five phases: selection, connection, reflection, action, and next steps (2019). In We Are Water Protectors, the critical issue at hand is water conservation. The story is told by an Indigenous character, which students may or may not be familiar with, so it is important to make sure students become familiar with Indigenous cultural aspects. This would be a great way to tie in lessons on Indigenous cultures. It is also the perfect opportunity to explore more about water conservation: what it looks like, how it affects us and the earth, what we can do to help, etc. The next step is helping students make connections. Students may need to think about their own identities and stories of their ancestors that may have been passed down to them. Students can be prompted to think about their own families and where they come from. Do they know? It would be a great opportunity for them to do some research on their family history and conduct interviews. The next step is reflection. Students could use this opportunity to compare and contrast their life to the girl in the story. What are your students passionate about? What makes them passionate? Prompt them to ask questions. Students could keep a journal to keep track of their thoughts and questions throughout this process. The next step is action: what will students do after reading this story? What have they learned? How will they make a difference? Students could be prompted to choose something they are passionate about and put together presentations with information about why their topic is important and how it will impact others. The last part of the framework, Next Steps, is also focused on reflection and how action affects ourselves and others. Students could use this opportunity to explore programs and local organizations in the community that are actively seeking change and committed to helping others. A field trip could be taken to an organization so students can see the work being done and be a part of a project being completed.
Comments