The First Christmas Tree: An Innu Tale

PreS-Gr 2–In the frozen far north, winter is harsh for the Innu people. Observing their struggles, the Great Manitou—the Innu Creator—decides to offer them a gift: a Christmas tree to brighten their winters and bring joy to their children. He searches the forest for the perfect tree, asking again and again, “Would you like to become a Christmas tree?” The birch, the larch, and the mighty black spruce each refuse. Finally, remembering the humble fir tree, the Great Manitou makes one more request and this time gets a resounding yes. This wintry tale, translated from French, presents a rich but sometimes perplexing combination of Indigenous and Christian traditions. The Innu are shown using the trees in traditional ways, though it remains somewhat unclear which Christmas traditions they observe. The Great Manitou appears in vibrant fuchsia as various woodland creatures, standing out against the cool winter palette. However, inconsistencies like the scenes of families feasting against lush green backdrops can be confusing. Back matter includes a glossary of Innu terms for animals, trees, and other key words.