| Secret of the Dance by Andrea Spalding & Alfred Scow |
SECRET OF THE DANCE by Andrea Spalding & Alfred Scow
Illustrated by: Darlene Gait
Release Date: 9/1/06
Publisher: Orca Books
Pages: 32
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
For young Watl'kina, taking the fishing boat with his family to a
small village nestled in an inlet starts out as an adventure. He's
not sure why they're going, or what the strangely wrapped
bundles contained that were hidden on board the boat during the
night. When he and his siblings are put to bed while his parents
meet with the Elders, Watl'kina is disappointed to not be part of
the feast and festivities. He knows, though, that if an Indian Agent
were to have followed their boat from home, there would be
trouble.
After his younger siblings are asleep, Watl'kina is unable to resist
the lure of the drums and chanting he hears outside his window.
He sneaks away, only to meet masked figures who allow him
entrance into the Big House. There, he's able to watch the
ceremony, the dancing, and the chanting. He even sees, for the
one and only time in his life, his masked father dancing.
SECRET OF THE DANCE is based on history, when the
Canadian government instituted laws forbidding the Aboriginal
people to hold their ritual ceremonies. Offered a choice between
prison and having their ceremonial garb and regalia confiscated,
many chose prison.
Although this story might be too complicated for younger children
who don't understand true oppression or the Aboriginal customs,
it's still an interesting look at how the world has come full circle.
Illustrated by: Darlene Gait
Release Date: 9/1/06
Publisher: Orca Books
Pages: 32
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
For young Watl'kina, taking the fishing boat with his family to a
small village nestled in an inlet starts out as an adventure. He's
not sure why they're going, or what the strangely wrapped
bundles contained that were hidden on board the boat during the
night. When he and his siblings are put to bed while his parents
meet with the Elders, Watl'kina is disappointed to not be part of
the feast and festivities. He knows, though, that if an Indian Agent
were to have followed their boat from home, there would be
trouble.
After his younger siblings are asleep, Watl'kina is unable to resist
the lure of the drums and chanting he hears outside his window.
He sneaks away, only to meet masked figures who allow him
entrance into the Big House. There, he's able to watch the
ceremony, the dancing, and the chanting. He even sees, for the
one and only time in his life, his masked father dancing.
SECRET OF THE DANCE is based on history, when the
Canadian government instituted laws forbidding the Aboriginal
people to hold their ritual ceremonies. Offered a choice between
prison and having their ceremonial garb and regalia confiscated,
many chose prison.
Although this story might be too complicated for younger children
who don't understand true oppression or the Aboriginal customs,
it's still an interesting look at how the world has come full circle.