Niwechihaw = I help

Summary: Niwechihaw, I Help is a bilingual picture book that celebrates the role of a Cree grandmother (Kohkum) as she takes her grandson on a short trip to the bush to pick rosehips. Author Caitlin Dale Nicholson wrote and illustrated this gentle story with spare repetitive language about the child watching and following the lead of his teacher, Kohkum. As he follows his grandmother, the boy watches and learns the cultural practices necessary to properly gather the ingredients to make rosehip tea. Based on Cree and Tahltan teachings the book offers information about the environment and how to gather the plants needed to make this healing beverage. The author notes that she took inspiration for the book from Cree grandmother and teacher, Leona Morin-Neilson. It is her teaching method that allows the cultural teachings to be passed on to the younger generation who live in the contemporary world. Morin-Neilson translates the text into the Cree Y language that appears side by side with the English text. The young boy performs simple tasks such as getting ready, driving in the car, walking with grandmother, praying, picking rosehips, and helping grandmother. The final page provides a recipe for rosehip tea in English and Cree. This is a wonderful book that brings the story of contemporary First Nations grandparents guiding youth with respect and love to all young children.

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