OMAKAYAS’S WORLD
The tribe to which Omakayas and her family belong.
Who are the Ojibwe?
The story is organized into these natural time periods.
What are seasons?
Omakayas's talkative and mischievous younger brother.
Who is Pinch?
The animal Omakayas helps, showing her gentle spirit.
What is a crow or bear?
A major theme: Omakayas grows through this.
What is loss or hardship?
The season when the family lives in the birchbark house.
What is summer?
During this season, a deadly illness spreads through the village.
What is winter?
The wise elder who teaches Omakayas and offers comfort.
Who is Nokomis (her grandmother)?
The tragic loss that causes deep grief for Omakayas.
What is the death of Neewo?
The story shows the importance of this to survival—between people and with nature.
What is connection or community?
This natural material is essential for many tools, shelters, and canoes in Omakayas’s life.
What is birchbark?
This event at the end of spring reveals a major truth about Omakayas’s past.
What is learning she was adopted after surviving smallpox?
This family member is admired for her beauty and calm nature.
Who is Angeline?
The illness that strikes the village and brings sorrow.
What is smallpox?
Omakayas’s dreams and instincts reflect this Ojibwe cultural value.
What is spirituality or wisdom from ancestors?
This location near Lake Superior is where the story takes place.
What is an island or La Pointe (on Madeline Island)?
The season when Omakayas first bonds with baby Neewo.
What is summer?
He returns home with warnings about settlers and change.
Who is Deydey (her father)?
The moment Omakayas uses her knowledge to help the sick.
What is when she cares for her family using traditional medicine?
How does the novel show the clash between traditional life and outside threats?
What is through the presence of settlers/disease/uncertainty about the future?
One way Omakayas’s daily life shows her people’s close relationship with nature.
What is gathering medicinal plants / respecting animals / using natural resources carefully?
How does the structure of the seasons reflect Omakayas’s emotional growth?
What is it mirrors her journey from innocence to wisdom/resilience?
How does the family’s response to hardship reflect their values?
What is their love, strength, and support for one another?
Why does Omakayas’s attitude toward Pinch change by the end?
What is she matures and feels more compassion, understanding his pain?
What is one lesson readers can learn from Omakayas’s journey?
What is resilience, compassion, or honoring one's roots?