Hommage Au Bison, the French and Cree version of Honouring the Buffalo is being launched on June 9 at a Regina French Immersion school thanks to les Éditions de la nouvelle plume.

When: June 9, 2016

Where: École Elsie Mironuck Community School

Who: Judith Silverthorne and Martine Noel-Maw will launch the book in dual languages with readings and a PowerPoint accompaniment.

Originally published in English and Cree by Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing, this ancient legend tells how the buffalo became a sacred animal for the Cree. “I will give them myself,” said Buffalo. “I will let them use every part of my body, as all are equal. They will have shelter, food, clothing and many other things to aid in their survival.”

This bilingual Plains Cree legend is told by storyteller Ray Lavallee, written by Judith Silverthorne and fully illustrated by Indigenous illustrator, Mike Keepness. The “Y” Cree translations are by Randy Morin, Arok Wolvengrey and Jean Okimāsis. And now, thanks to the translating skills of Martine Noel-Maw, and the publisher les Éditions de la nouvelle plume, Hommage au Bison: Une légende des Cris des Plaines is available in French and Cree. There are also teacher study guides available in both languages.

Honouring the Buffalo: A Plains Cree Legend has won two international awards: the Moonbeam and Next Generation Indie Book Award and been nominated for two High Plains Book Awards and three Saskatchewan Book Awards. This picture book has also received numerous national accolades and recommendations, including being featured in Best Books for Kids & Teens through the Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC), Canadian aboriginal Books for Schools and Canadian History Books for Schools.