Nipi and Mother Earth

This digital storybook was developed as part of the Help Me Tell My Story early childhood literacy assessment. This holistic assessment is a program funded by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education in partnership with the school divisions and communities involved in the 2011 pilot program. The assessment is unique in many ways, and it is grounded in First Nations and Métis holistic perspectives on learning. All of the stories incorporate traditional beliefs and perspectives and are available in four languages: English, Cree, Dene and Michif.

This story is one of four digital storybooks that tell the story of Nipi, a character in the assessment program, and his friends from the pond. The stories were developed to be used in the classroom and in the home to help improve early childhood language skills. This is Nipi’s story.


Nipi is a beaver who lives in a dam in the pond. His name, Nipi, means “water” in Cree, Saulteaux and Michif.  His story introduces Askî’s friends, the interconnectedness between all living beings and the concept of harmony between all.  It also reinforces the concept of Mother Earth and the need to care for the pond.   

* What’s inside
Large illustrations
Nipi’s story of life at the pond
Story designed for children aged 3 to 6
Read along option for each page, as well as for individual keywords
Read along option in four languages: English, Cree, Dene and Michif
First Nations and Métis content and ideas

* Features
Easy to use navigation in the app
Help screen to explain the app’s functions
Compatible with iPhone and iPad

There are three other digital storybooks in this series. Make sure to download all four Help Me Tell My Story books, featuring Askî, Tate and Kon.

To learn more about the Help Me Tell My Story holistic assessment model, please visit http://holisticassessment.gov.sk.ca/