Amō's Sapotawan - (The Six Seasons of the Asiniskaw Ithiniwak) by William Dumas (Hardcover)

About the Book

With her sapotawan ceremony fast approaching, Amō must choose her mīthikowisiwin, a gift she will develop through apprenticeship. Her sister, Pīsim, chose to become a midwife; others gather medicines or harvest fish. But none of those feel quite right.

What will Amō's mīthikowisiwin be? How will she know what is right for her?

Book Synopsis

★ Starred selection for CCBC's Best Books for Kids & Teens 2023!

Rocky Cree people understand that all children are born with four gifts or talents. When a child is old enough, they decide which gift, or mīthikowisiwin, they will seek to master. With her sapotawan ceremony fast approaching, Amō must choose her mīthikowisiwin. Her sister, Pīsim, became a midwife; others gather medicines or harvest fish. But none of those feel quite right.

Amō has always loved making things. Her uncle can show her how to make nipisiwata, willow baskets. Her grandmother can teach her how to make kwakwāywata, birchbark containers and plates. Her auntie has offered to begin Amō's apprenticeship in making askihkwak, pottery.

What will Amō's mīthikowisiwin be? Which skill should she choose? And how will she know what is right for her?

Review Quotes

Among CCBC's Best Books for Kids & Teens 2023, starred selection of exceptional caliber

This is an ambitious, gorgeous production. Illustrations by Rhian Brynjolson are crisp and colorful, perfect for a children's book. The graphic design combining story and sidebar information is exceptionally well done, including a broad topographical map on the first inside spread to show exactly where we are.

Among American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) Best Books 2022

Incredibly rich in detail, historical notes, and culture, Pīsim Finds Her Miskanaw and Amō's Sapotawan are both great introductions to Rocky Cree history and culture as well as gentle, heartwarming stories about finding oneself.