Animals Care for Mother Earth is part of the
Animals Care for Mother Earth Indigenous Learning Bundle. It is written by Indigenous authors Terri Mack and Bill Helin. This set is comprised of six contemporary, interrelated stories and supporting resources for teachers. In the first story, animals cooperate to clean up a polluted pond. In subsequent stories, they care for each other in the aftermath of the pollution problem, demonstrating strength of character and social responsibility. This book can be used in elementary schools to teach—through storytelling—the value of personal strengths and community supports while incorporating Tsimshian language and knowledge into classroom lessons. It also provides many opportunities to extend the learning to other curriculum areas, including science, math, reading, writing, social studies, and art.
Bill Helin is of Tlingit, Tsimshian, and Norwegian descent and is a member of the Tsimshian Nation, born and raised in the Northwest coastal community of Prince Rupert, British Columbia. His father was Arthur Helin; his grandfather, Henry William Helin, was Chief of the Gitlan Tribe; and his grandmother, Maud Helin, was Chief of the Gitgeese Tribe. Bill spent many hours listening to his grandmother’s stories of the Tsimshian People. He was amusing his family, friends, and teachers with caricatures and cartoons at a young age. Bill has illustrated many children’s books
Terri Mack, Kay Kwee Kway Kwa, is Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala on her late mother’s side and Hungarian on her late father’s side. Terri worked for twenty years in the education system as an Aboriginal Education Assistant, School District Aboriginal Resource Coordinator, and Community Literacy Coordinator for Stz’uminus First Nation. Terri was the co-founder of Strong Nations Publishing and has edited and authored many books for yourn readers.
