Cree and Saulteaux bird knowledge unveiled in new book

The lyrics to that song, our grandfather is the thunderbird. The launch of a new book celebrating Cree and Soto knowledge of birds has a personal connection for Mohican Ahenikiu. The late Barry Ahenikiu was instrumental with his knowledge of Cree history for those who fly around, plains Cree and Soto birds. His son Mohican carried on his dad's legacy and helped with editorial changes. He was at the book launch to celebrate the book's release with his spouse and three children. It gave me a sense of better understanding in regards to how important this work is, in regards to just not only the relevancy of just putting the place names in regards to what kind of different bird species there are, but the stories and the histories behind them and why they're culturally significant to us as Nahiawak and as Nakawe and Ojibwe people. FSAN Senator Bill Strongarm from Kwakutu's First Nation helped with stories and translations. Strongarm said birds create a perspective on Indigenous creation stories, but they also have bigger roles in nature than many realize. Look at the weather. They tell you when it's going to snow or rain, those birds. And you're able to, that's their, that's their, they're part of their contribution to the people. Andrew Miller is a co-author and did historical research for the book. He is a birder himself and loved hearing the stories, language, and cultural landscape of birds from elders. And he recognized, along with Strongarm, they could put together a book to share this perspective. They're singing, they're communicating, they're saying words to us in another language. is, it's really wonderful. It's a really wonderful sort of awareness that this book, I think, shares with us. Miller said he wants everyone to read the book, but he hopes children will take an interest to learn this unique point of view on birds. Louise Big Eagle, CBC News, Regina.