In 2018, the Northern Healthy Communities Partnership (NHCP) published a multilingual children’s book that is available in Cree, Dene or Michif, along with English. Entitled “Are You Hungry?”, the book has been successfully distributed to children at their 18-month immunization appointment through the Babies, Books and Bonding (BBB) program. This program aims to increase early literacy skills and parent-infant bonding by providing information, books and other literacy tools to young children and their families at well-baby clinics in northern Saskatchewan. Are You Hungry? is the first Indigenous-language book distributed through the program.
Author Calyn Stange (Burnouf), a dietitian of Métis ancestry with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), says, “This book describes various family activities in gathering, hunting and preparing healthy northern foods and will be beneficial in supporting literacy, as well as traditional activities and healthy eating”. Crystal Seegerts, a self-taught artist and student from Black Lake, was commissioned to illustrate the book.
Recognizing the need for this type of resource, Dr. James Irvine, who was Chair of the Northern Healthy Communities Partnership since its inception, and his wife Trudy Connor have donated the funds needed for the development, publication and distribution of the book to all 18-month-old children throughout northern Saskatchewan.
“We are very pleased to sponsor this project as we believe strongly in the importance of early literacy, bonding and Indigenous languages for the positive development of northern children,” says Dr. Irvine. “It can also increase understanding amongst cultures.”
Language exposure among infants and toddlers is closely linked to literacy achievement. 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? will 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.
Learn more about the Babies, Books and Bonding Program and the Northern Book Project