"Family ties inform an Indigenous New Wave" by Carrie Tait. The Globe & Mail, January 6, 2018. “Raymond Yakeleya has spent 20 years fulfilling his grandmother’s deathbed wish that he document ‘what happened to our people.’ He is among Indigenous people ‘taking control of messaging in interesting ways’.” — Carrie Tait, Globe & Mail As a spider weaves a web which is fragile yet strong, Raymond Yakeleya weaves the beauties and truths of nature into tales told through the eyes of his Dene grandmothers. The Indigenous peoples of Canada’s far North keep alive their traditions and legends of the Creator’s world and human caring. Young people of all cultures can learn about respect for each other and for the gifts of life in Indigenous communities far from the urban centres. In the main story in the book, ‘The Tree by the Woodpile’, Raymond offers a delicate and compelling description of the great gifts of a single tree, our common ties to the land, and the gentle voice of a grandmother. This book could be a significant contribution to middle school classrooms across Canada and beyond, leading to greater reconciliation and recognition of our First Nations. – Mary Stapleton, Permanent Observer, Arctic Council and Cultural Liaison, Arctic Institute of North America, University of Calgary I always tell the students that my greatest teacher was an Elder who did not have more than a grade 6 education (in the White man's world). That said, he had a doctorate level in the school of life. This man was the wisest human being that I ever encountered and was a wealth of knowledge when it came to his people's teachings. I was priviledged to learn from him for four years.  This goes to say how important it is to value Aboriginal knowledge for what it is: KNOWLEDGE, and how important it is to for this knowledge to be passed on. I read the two stories that you wrote. and I was deeply moved.  Truth to be told, your grandmother was a great teacher.   As for the Wolf story, it is so meaningful.  Yes, animals come to us when there is a big teaching that must be passed on, but for this to happen one must have that magical connection with the animal world. One must be grounded. Your stories teach our children the depth of our relation with Mother Earth, and how all forms of life relate to one another. – Philippe Brulot, Principal, Chief Albert Wright School, Tulita Northwest Territory