Arriving at school, Shi-shi-etko reminds Shin-chi that they can only use their English names and cannot speak to each other. Shin-chi's life becomes an endless cycle of church, mass, school, work and skimpy meals. His father sends him a gift - a cedar canoe. The river provides solace for Shin-chi as he dreams of the day when the sock-eye salmon return to the river and he can go back home. Campbell provides young children the opportunity to explore the issue of First Nations children sent to residential schools. The book was a finalist for the 2008 Governor-General's Literary award for Children's Literature - illustration.--Ministry of Education website.

English language arts grade 1 (2010). English language arts grade 2 (2010). English language arts grade 3 (2010). Health education grade 2 (2010). Treaty Education grade 1. Treaty Education grade 2. Treaty Education grade 3. Note: Due to the sensitivity of the topic being discussed in the text, teachers should send a letter home indicating that students will be examining the issue of residential schools in the classroom.--Ministry Education website. .