OMAKAYAS’S WORLD
SEASONS OF CHANGE
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY
MOMENTS THAT MATTER
LESSONS AND MEANINGS
100

The tribe to which Omakayas and her family belong.

Who are the Ojibwe?

100

The story is organized into these natural time periods.

What are seasons?

100

Omakayas's talkative and mischievous younger brother.

Who is Pinch?

100

The animal Omakayas helps, showing her gentle spirit.

What is a crow or bear?

100

A major theme: Omakayas grows through this.

What is loss or hardship?

200

The season when the family lives in the birchbark house.

What is summer?

200

During this season, a deadly illness spreads through the village.

What is winter?

200

The wise elder who teaches Omakayas and offers comfort.

Who is Nokomis (her grandmother)?

200

The tragic loss that causes deep grief for Omakayas.

What is the death of Neewo?

200

The story shows the importance of this to survival—between people and with nature.

What is connection or community?

300

This natural material is essential for many tools, shelters, and canoes in Omakayas’s life.

What is birchbark?

300

This event at the end of spring reveals a major truth about Omakayas’s past.

What is learning she was adopted after surviving smallpox?

300

This family member is admired for her beauty and calm nature.

Who is Angeline?

300

The illness that strikes the village and brings sorrow.

What is smallpox?

300

Omakayas’s dreams and instincts reflect this Ojibwe cultural value.

What is spirituality or wisdom from ancestors?

400

This location near Lake Superior is where the story takes place.

What is an island or La Pointe (on Madeline Island)?

400

The season when Omakayas first bonds with baby Neewo.

What is summer?

400

He returns home with warnings about settlers and change.

Who is Deydey (her father)?

400

The moment Omakayas uses her knowledge to help the sick.

What is when she cares for her family using traditional medicine?


400

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?

500

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?

500

How does the structure of the seasons reflect Omakayas’s emotional growth?

What is it mirrors her journey from innocence to wisdom/resilience?

500

How does the family’s response to hardship reflect their values?

What is their love, strength, and support for one another?

500

Why does Omakayas’s attitude toward Pinch change by the end?

What is she matures and feels more compassion, understanding his pain?

500

What is one lesson readers can learn from Omakayas’s journey?

What is resilience, compassion, or honoring one's roots?