Indigenous Novel Study Part 1

Teacher: Nadia A. & Nadia K.

This is part 1 of  Indigenous Novel Study where students read the true story Fatty Legs followed by its sequel; A Stranger at Home in Spring.

This course is designed for students to develop critical and creative thinking skills as they analyse the text, interpret ideas, and information. An important emphasis throughout the course is on understanding the impact of Residential Schools on Indigenous children and families in Canada.

Novel Study Book:  (A true story) Fatty Legs By Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

The moving memoir of an Inuit girl who emerges from a residential school with her spirit intact.

Eight-year-old Margaret Pokiak has set her sights on learning to read, even though it means leaving her village in the high Arctic. Faced with unceasing pressure, her father finally agrees to let her make the five-day journey to attend school, but he warns Margaret of the terrors of residential schools.

At school Margaret soon encounters the Raven, a black-cloaked nun with a hooked nose and bony fingers that resemble claws. She immediately dislikes the strong-willed young Margaret. Intending to humiliate her, the heartless Raven gives gray stockings to all the girls -- all except Margaret, who gets red ones. In an instant Margaret is the laughingstock of the entire school.

In the face of such cruelty, Margaret refuses to be intimidated and bravely gets rid of the stockings. Although a sympathetic nun stands up for Margaret, in the end it is this brave young girl who gives the Raven a lesson in the power of human dignity.

Refund Policy

If you choose to withdraw from the course, please see below:

December 15th:  90% refund

January 1st:  50% refund

After the first class:  50% credit or 25% refund