honouring National Indigenous History Month with a great read
When We Gather (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal Feast, written by Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee Nation) and illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw Nation), celebrates one of those moments that feels magical for kids: spending the day outside with the grown-ups and knowing something delicious is waiting at the end.
It follows a young Cherokee girl as she joins her family in gathering wild spring onions, one of the first plants to pop up after winter. Every basket gets a little heavier, every smiling cousin seems to appear out of nowhere, and the excitement builds for the traditional spring wild onion dinner. By the time everyone arrives with steaming pots of soup and other well-loved family recipes, it’s time to say: Idalisdayvhvga! (Let’s all eat!)
The illustrations are full of movement and little details that invite readers to linger. Tiny hands reach into the grass, grandparents share what they know, and children learn simply by being included. Not only can families read about a beloved tradition, but they can also feel like they’re happily tagging along for the day.
Keep flipping to the end for bonus goodies: a corn soup recipe, a recipe for Cherokee eggs & wild onions, information about the wild onions that inspired the story and a glossary of Cherokee words for little ones to learn.
Here are some other books to check out for National Indigenous History Month:
snacking on stories
RFRK is sponsoring the great culinary literacy work at Vaughan Public Libraries with their June 10th Snacking on Stories session. This theme is National Indigenous History Month and features a reading of When We Gather, as well as a shared cooking experience for kids & parents/caregivers at the VSES Teaching Kitchen!