Nibi's Water Song
Follow a young girl, Nibi, through her challenges, struggles, and successes as she advocates for clean water access for herself and her community.
Themes: Water, activism, empowerment, collective action
About the Author and Our Honored Guest
“Sunshine Tenasco is Anishinabe, from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Quebec. She is a clean water activist, mother of four and an entrepreneur, founder of Her Braids and Pow Wow Pitch. Her first book was Nibi’s Water Song.”
Bio taken from Strong Nations.
About the Illustrator
Chief Lady Bird is Chippewa and Potawatomi artist from Rama First Nation and Moosedeer Point First Nation, who is currently based in Rama First Nation. She graduated from OCAD University in 2015 with a BFA in Drawing and Painting and a minor in Indigenous Visual Culture. Through her art practice, Chief Lady Bird uses street art, community-based workshops, digital illustration and mixed media work to challenge the lens that Indigenous people are often viewed through. Her work subverts the dominant culture’s experience that we all come from.
Bio taken from Pacha: Indigenous Arts Collection.
Discussion Questions
- What are things you can do in your own community to create action for clean water?
- Nibi was finally able to create action for clean water once she had her community helping her. What is the importance of having community help, and why did it work?
- Despite setbacks, Nibi continues to try to access clean water. Can you think of a time you faced challenges in achieving your goals?
- Nibi creating clean water helped not only herself and her friends but everyone who used the water. Can you think of all the people, plants and animals who would benefit from clean water?
Learning Activities
- Can you find out the state of water access in your community? Are there any organizations you can join or work you can do to improve it?
- Look up and learn about Autumn Peltier’s fight for clean water, can you see any similarities between her and Nibi?
Explore More
- With a parent or guardian, visit Sunshine Tenasco’s instagram “Her Braids”, where she talks more about workshops and activism for clean water: https://www.instagram.com/herbraids/?hl=en
- Listen to the Nibi Water Song by Zoongi Gabowi Ozawa Kinew Ikwe (Strong Standing Golden Eagle Woman), Anishnabe Nation, Crane Clan (Ojijak), and gifted to the Turtle Lodge.
- Watch this video, presented by Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, to hear author Sunshine Tenasco read and discuss the book.
- Explore this learning guide by Learning to Give: https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/nibis-water-song-literature-guide