Big Mistake, A?

Summer has been taught by her Elders the importance of friendship and generosity, but when she gives away a treasured necklace to a friend who has been admiring it, she wonders if she has made a mistake. In this easy-to-understand, illustrated Ojibwe story, young readers have the opportunity to think critically and broaden their understanding of relationships through the lens of Indigenous culture and begin to explore and connect to the importance of learning from Elders. Suitable for students in Grade K–5, “A Big Mistake?” could be used as a read-aloud to spark discussions and self-reflection about cultural values, friendship, reciprocal gift-giving, stress management, and being honest. Furthermore, the resource aligns well with the First Peoples Principles of Learning.