For July/August 2022 and in honour of International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (August 9), we are honoured to feature and share with you Tasha Spillett-Sumner's New York Times and CBC Books bestseller 'I Sang You Down from the Stars'. This book beautifully illustrates a mother's deep love for her new baby and the importance of passing on traditional teachings and stories. The story brings readers on a journey as a mother prepares a medicine bundle for the arrival of her new baby. The sacred bundle holds important items which celebrate indigenous traditions and culture.
Educational Resources
Click the link below to download our fun 'I Sang You Down from the Stars Activity Booklet'!
I Sang You Down from the Stars Activity Booklet
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Download PDF • 1.45MB
About the Author
Tasha Spillett-Sumner is a celebrated educator, poet, author, speaker, and emerging scholar who is currently working toward her Ph.D. in Education through the University of Saskatchewan, the same university where she holds a Vanier Canada Award. She is a dedicated advocate for the protection of Indigenous women and girls as well as land and water defense and an active member of Manitoba’s Indigenous community. Her research focuses on amplifying the voices of Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirt People to bring justice for MMIWG2S. Tasha’s Inninewak (Cree) and Trinidadian bloodlines bring her the strength and power to fight against colonialism through the work she does. As an educator, Tasha holds a teaching philosophy which honours her cultural knowledge and supports the cultural identities of her Indigenous students. Creating inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments for students is extremely important to Tasha. In addition to her work within the classroom, Tasha is very active outside of the classroom in the development of Indigenous Education polices and curriculum. As well, she has served as a mentor in the Sisters Circle, an after-school program for Indigenous girls. In the past, she served as a member of the Manito Ahbee Festival board of governors where she assisted in the formation of the annual Education Days, an event where youth, Indigenous leaders, and cultural knowledge keepers from the community join together to share, learn, and celebrate Indigenous ways of being. Tasha was previously the chair of the Miss Manito Ahbee Youth Ambassador which gathers in honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Existence as Resistance | Tasha Spillet | TEDxUniversityofWinnipeg
Interview with Tasha Spillett-Sumner
April 3, 2022
(In Honour of International Children's Book Day)
