Characters
Who is Omakakiins older sister?
Angeline
The author of the novel, who structured her story about an Ojibwe family around the four seasons.
Louise Erdich
Structured around the seasons, the novel begins in this season with a prologue, followed by chapters focusing on the changing lifestyle of the main characters.
Niibin (summer)
How does Omakakiins show responsibility?
Helps with chores like keeping the fire, scraping the hide, taking care of baby Niiwo
This tradition involves gathering and preparing food like berries, fish, and maple sugar to survive long winters.
harvesting
This character is a trader who has been gone for much of the novel.
Dede (Mikwam)
What is the genre of The Birchbark House?
historical fiction
The story takes place near this large body of water that provides food and resources for Omakakiins' family.
Lake Superior
What did Omakakiins and Angeline hunt for dinner that made Dede proud?
crows
This tradition shows the Ojibwe's respect for the land around them.
Thanking animals and nature for providing food and resources.
This character might feel a stronger connection to Omakakiins than he does to his other siblings.
Baby Niiwo
Who is the illustrator of The Birchbark House?
Louise Erdrich
Constructed with sheets of bark, this is the type of home the family lives in during the summer months.
A birchbark house
Dede talks to his friends about the threat of the white settlers encroaching on their land, which might force them to move _________.
West
This important tradition helps pass down history, values, and lessons.
Oral storytelling
This character acts as a storyteller, sharing the Ojibwe creation story, and teaches her family to respect nature and the spirit world.
Nookomis
How does Louise Erdrich organize the text?
by seasons
Omakakiins encounters a mother bear and her two cubs while walking on a path near this location where she is sent to fetch her mother’s scissors.
Old Tallow's house
What does Omakakiins receive from Old Tallow before the bear encounter?
scissors and a piece of candy
Where would certai Ojibwe tribe members go to receive a spirtual message? What did they have to do (usually for many days)?
Out in the woods; they would starve or fast
In chapter 5, which character explains "...they say we must leave the island."
Fishtail
True or false: Louise Erdrich is part of the Anishinaabe nation
true
What is the named of the location where Dede encounters the sister ghosts?
Land Where the Sisters Eat
What gifts does Dede bring back for the family?
ribbon for Angeline, calico cloth for Mama, tobacco for Nookomis, a knife for Pinch, a piece of velvet for Niiwo, and a hide scraper for Omakakiins
charcoal