Michael Hutchinson

I just noticed as I am posting that this is book three, but it read well as a stand-alone. One of the things I liked about this book, as an adult reader, was that it caused me to check my assumptions about who I thought were the likely suspects. Why I would recommend it to teachers and students is that it brings to light how Cree traditions are upheld in modern day and how the paternalistic government policies enacted in the past endure to this day. Discussion points could include; Connection to the land, differences amongst Cree Nations depending on their location, the Indian Act and government control of Indigenous lives in Canada (health, infrastructure etc), the numbered treaties, oral traditions and storytelling, knowledge keepers and who has the right to traditional knowledge, cultural appropriation, and more. The Case of the Burgled Bundle would be a great read-aloud in a Social Studies class studying the Numbered Treaties.… (more)

What I appreciate about this series is that Hutchinson takes on important conversations that are happening in the Indigenous world with each title and makes it something that kids or outsiders can understand. In this case, it's the controversy over people (especially authors) sharing sacred knowledge that isn't meant to be shared. He also takes the opportunity to talk about treaties and what that means for different nations -- or at least what that _can_ mean for different nations, since each nation is unique. The Muskrats continue to be a really good group of kids, working well with their Elders and bringing their own backgrounds to the story. The mystery is a good one, as well, with constant reminders not to leap to conclusions. Very well done.… (more)