Jimmys connection to water
Who says, “Jimmy’s a good swimmer” at the beginning of the book?
Lisa (pg.2)
Who usually tells Lisa traditional stories which are connected to water?
Ma-ma-oo
Which family member’s death is also connected to the ocean?
Uncle Mick
What fish is considered a “Savior fish” and is very important in Haisla culture?
Oolichan
What do Lisa’s dreams and visions often include that connect animals to the spirit world?
ocean and sea animals
By the age of 6, what could Jimmy do that made him stand out from other kids?
Hold his breath longer than anyone and dive underwater for long periods (pg. 44)
What is the ocean in Lisa’s dreams and visions often shown as?
A spiritual place or gateway between worlds
How did Ba-ba-oo die?
Ba-ba-oo drowned
What does Oolichan represent in Haisla culture?
hope and renewal
What do Lisa’s dreams and visions often show about animals and the ocean?
That they are connected to the spirit world
Which injury did Jimmy get which made him quit swimming?
He dislocated his shoulder
What kind of theme is seen in most of the deaths?
They involve water or drowning in some way
Mimayus is Ma-ma-oo’s older sister, and she is believed to have drowned during a storm while traveling on a gillnetter boat.
Which other culture is mentioned as having a strong spiritual and practical connection to water, similar to the Haisla?
The Māori people of New Zealand?
Which animals does Jimmy swim with that are often symbols of strength and family?
Killer Whales
What dangerous animal does Jimmy swim with, showing his risk-taking skills?
Orcas/Killer Whales
What does Lisa hear in her vision that shows Mimayus continues to exist in the spirit world?
“Find Mimayus” (pg. 331)
How does Lisa experience Ba-ba-oo’s death in the novel?
She has visions/premonitions
How do the Haisla keep their connection to land and water alive?
By passing down stories and traditions through generations.
What Haisla teaching shows that the ocean can be dangerous and unpredictable?
The ocean has no sense of humour
Even though Jimmy was a strong swimmer, what challenge shows the ocean is powerful and unpredictable?
He struggled with directions and may have drowned when he disappeared
In Lisa’s water vision at Monkey Beach, how does she describe the ocean?
Alive and watching her, with the tide rocking kelp beds and dark bodies twirling in the water
According to the novel, how should water be treated?
Water should be treated with respect, fear, and awareness of its strength.
How do both the Haisla and Māori people view water
They view water as a life source, sacred, and connected to emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
What values does Monkey Beach show through animals and nature?
Respect, balance, and responsibility toward the natural world