The First Flute: Whowhoahyahzo Tohkohya

by David Bouchard, Jan Michael Reibach

Names should be respected. They should be valued. They should be honoured. When a name is given to an adult, it is often given based on the life that person has lived. The name is a statement about the person he or she has become. When a name is given to a child, it foretells what kind of a person that child will become. If a child is given the name He Who is Kind to Strangers, that child is destined to live a life of kindness. I know this to be true because I once knew a kind man who as a child was given that name. In The First Flute , David Bouchard tells the story of a young man given the name Dancing Raven. He was a dancer - the best from all the nations. But the other men and boys in his village don't appreciate Dancing Raven's talent - hunting, fishing and tracking are the truly important talents. Dancing Raven must prove to his village the importance of his song. Includes a cd with a reading of the story as well as music from Jan Michael Looking Wolf, a native flute player from Oregon.

Genres: Canada

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 31, 2013

About the author

Canadian Métis author and literacy advocate David Bouchard has produced more than fifty books for readers of all ages, including two guides on reading for parents and educators.

An erstwhile teacher and school principal, he is particularly concerned with Aboriginal-related issues and is a sought-after speaker for conference keynotes and school presentations and on topics of reading, literacy and aboriginal well-being.

David Bouchard's books have won numerous awards, including a Special Mention for Non-Fiction in the 2010 Bologna Ragazzi Awards for The Drum Calls Softly, a Gold Medal in the 2008 Moonbeam Award for I am Raven, the 2004 Governor General's Award for The Song Within My Heart, the 1999 Red Cedar Award for The Great Race and the 1997 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award for Voices from the Wild. An Aboriginal Carol was included in the 2008 White Ravens Catalogue.

In April 2009, Bouchard was named as a Member of the Order of Canada "for his contributions as an author of children’s books and an advocate who has championed the cause of reading and writing, and who has shared his pride as a member of the Métis community through his stories."

David lives in Victoria, British Columbia, with his wife Vicki and their daughter Victoria.

-taken from the author's website

Reviews

[Jbondandrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Dancing Raven is refused marriage to the Chiefs daughter he journeys to the Sacred Hills to sing a prayer to Creator. Here he finds what is in his heart, the sound and song of love. Soon he is sharing this beautiful tune with his people. Accompanying the book is a CD including spoken word in English and Dakota, with the haunting music of Jan Michael Looking Wolf. A great addition to the study of First Nations people.