Buffalo Dance: A Blackfoot Legend
on Goodreads (19)
What’s inside...
A young woman's courage saves her village, in a beautifully illustrated retelling of a Blackfoot myth about the significance of the buffalo dance ritual, performed before and after each hunt to show respect for, and gratitude to, the buffalo.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the buffalo dance represents in the story?
How do you feel about the way the community works together in the legend?
Why do you think it was important for the Blackfoot people to share this legend?
What part of the story was the most exciting or interesting for you?
How do you think the characters felt during the buffalo dance?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story and ask how they would feel participating in the buffalo dance.
Discuss the importance of traditions and cultural stories, linking them to your own family's traditions or cultural tales.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a scene from the book or to act out their favorite part, fostering a deeper connection to the story.
During the discussion, validate your child’s feelings and perspective to make them feel heard and to encourage further sharing.
Connect the themes of the story to real-life situations, such as the importance of teamwork and community in achieving common goals.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The story portrays the Blackfoot tribe's deep connection with nature, particularly with the buffalo, which is integral to their survival and culture.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of respecting and protecting the natural environment, understanding that every element of nature has a role and value.
Example Lesson: The significance of traditions
Explanation: The book highlights traditional Blackfoot dances and rituals, illustrating how these practices are vital in maintaining the cultural heritage.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to value and respect their own and others' cultural traditions and understand the role of rituals in community bonding.
Example Lesson: Cooperation and community involvement
Explanation: In the story, the entire tribe works together during the Buffalo Dance to ensure their survival, showing the power of cooperative effort.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in teamwork and community participation, learning that collective efforts often lead to greater achievements.
Example Lesson: Courage and perseverance
Explanation: The characters in the story display courage and the will to persevere during challenging times, especially in their efforts to secure food and safety for the tribe.
Real-World Application: This instills in children the values of bravery and persistence in the face of difficulties, encouraging them to not easily give up on their goals.
Example Lesson: Connection between actions and consequences
Explanation: The story teaches that the tribe's actions, such as performing the Buffalo Dance, have direct consequences on their well-being by invoking the buffalo's presence needed for their sustenance.
Real-World Application: It helps children understand that their actions have effects, teaching them to consider the outcomes of their decisions in daily life.