Prereading
Handout 4

Preface

Read the preface in Raising Ourselves on pages 12 and 13 and work in groups to answer the following questions. Take the time to discuss.

1. Why was it so hard for Velma Wallis to write down her story of her childhood?
2. What event triggered Harold Napolean to research his past? What did he find? Do you think this is true of the Dene and Inuit people?
3. How does Velma think her people can heal themselves? What do you think?
4. Is this book a fiction or nonfiction? Why? What are the differences? How can you tell?