A new children’s book explores Dene traditional medicines and the connection between people and nature.
Northern Quill Publishing announced on Thursday that Cathy Modeste-Short’s book – Dechı̨tah Náıdı́: Medicine from the Land – is now in print.
Modeste-Short shared traditional teachings with students at Yellowknife’s Mildred Hall School for 17 years.
Now in her retirement, and inspired by her late mother Mary Modeste, she said she wants to continue passing on that knowledge to others.
“Writing the story was on my mind for a long time, even before my mom passed on,” she said. “I am excited that it is done and I actually have it in my hands. In this way, I have her here with me, and I think she would be pleased.”
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The book is written in Sahtúgot’ı̨nęk’ǝ Gokǝdǝ́ and English. It features illustrations by Tom Short and was translated by Jane Modeste.
Modeste-Short has also produced a booklet with the same title that aims to engage children through colouring pages and activities.
“The wonderful gifts and knowledge were those things our ancestors taught us,” Modeste-Short said.
“We have to teach them to the kids so they can carry them on.”
Dechı̨ta Náı́dı́: Medicine from the Land is available at Yellowknife Books and on Northern Quill Publishing’s website.
Launches for the book are set to take place at Yellowknife Books on November 17 from 2-4pm, at the Bush Kids site in Yellowknife on November 30 at 12pm, and in Délı̨nę on December 12.
