Makade Asin / Black Stone

Inspired by an Ojibwe story, Black Stone is an English/Anishinaabemowin picture book that encourages young readers to find their own inner strength.

After waking from a nightmare, a boy asks his grandfather for help, who tells him that in order to face his fears he must find the black stone.

With his Mishoomis's voice to guide him, the boy embarks on a vision quest to search for the black stone among the tall trees of the jungle, in the depths of the ocean and through the barren desert. He encounters many dangers including a sudden storm and menacing animals. Through it all, the boy finds himself guided by the very creatures he'd once feared. Will he be able to find the black stone? Will he be able to find himself?

Black Stone is brought to life by Maya McKibbin's comics-inspired illustrations and accompanied by an author's note explaining Darcy's connection to the story and to Ojibwe vision quests.

Key Text Features

writing inspiration

author's note

illustrations

comics

panels

Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1

With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.2

With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3

With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.6

With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.7

With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2

Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3

Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.6

Identify who is telling the story at various points in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7

Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

MAYA McKIBBIN is a 2S multidisciplinary visual artist living on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and səlilwətaɬ Nations. They are Irish-settler and Ojibwe with roots in White Earth Nation and have family diaspora from Zacatecas in Mexico. Maya has illustrated Swift Fox All Along by Rebecca Thomas, nominated for a Governor General's Literary Award; The Song That Called Them Home and Little Shoes, by David A. Robertson; and If You Were Here by Kathy Stinson.

DARCY WHITECROW is Ojibwe and Dakota; he is a member of the Seine River First Nation band in Northwestern Ontario, where he lives. Darcy practices traditional lifestyles like trapping, fishing and ricing, as well as traditional spirituality in both the Midewiwin and Sundance traditions. He has started a non-profit with his partner Kim called Grey Raven Ranch, where they have been raising and caring for the Ojibwe Horses.

WASKONEGABOWIIK, also known as Pamela Johnson, is from the Ginozhe clan and grew up in Seine River First Nation. She is a survivor of the Indian Day School. She speaks fluent Anishinaabemowin and grew up with Anishinaabe teachings, culture and traditions. After pursuing many careers to help her people, she works as a part-time instructor for Seven Generations Education Institute in the Niigaanendataa Program and as a freelance teacher and translator. She lives in Mitaanjigamiing First Nation.