The Help Me Tell My Story assessment brings Askî and Askî's family and friends to the classroom and home. They are introduced through scrapbooks and story books prior to the assessment.
Askî and friends each have their own story book.
- Askî and Turtle Island
- Kon and the Circle of Life
- Nipi and Mother Earth
- Tate and the Flyers
The interaction students have with Askî and friends helps the student become comfortable when taking the assessment. On the iPad screen, they see the characters they have come to know and love.
Askî is a turtle who lives at the pond. Askî means "earth" in Cree. Nipi is a beaver who is Askî's friend and lives in a dam in the pond. Nipi means "water" in Cree, Saulteaux and Michif. Another friend of Askî's is Kon. Kon means "fire" in Dene. Tate is a flyer who gathers stories from all over to share with his other friends. Tate means "wind" in Dakota.
The tradition of oral storytelling is very important in First Nations and Métis culture. This is how language and traditions have been passed on for many years. The storybooks mark one of the first times this knowledge has been preserved using technology. The books audio recordings were done by community educators and Elders, which preserves the oral history for future generations.
There are four digital storybooks that can be read in:
- English,
- French,
- Cree,
- Dene, and
- Michif.
In the storybooks, student learn about:
- the many beings that live together on Mother Earth;
- the importance of Mother Earth;
- the responsibility to protect Mother Earth;
- how all beings are interconnected;
- the Circle of Life; and
- the Medicine Wheel.
The storybooks are designed for three- to five-year-olds and are available free online and in the ITunes store for iPhone and iPad.