Road Allowance Kitten
- Author Name: Wilfred Burton, Christina Johns (Illustrator), Norman Fleury (Michif Translator)
- Award Year: 2017
- Publisher: Gabriel Dumont Institute
- Publication Date: 2015
- ISBN: 9781926795720
- Tags: Shortlist: Indigenous Peoples' Writing Award, Shortlist: Publishing in Education Award
About the Book
They say, “Home is where the heart is.” For Rosie and Madeline, home also included their pet kitten. Imagine being told you have to leave your home … without your pet. Based on a true story, Road Allowance Kitten gives readers a glimpse into the history of the Road Allowance Métis and their forced removal from their humble, but beloved, homes on the road allowance. Award-winning children’s author Wilfred Burton skillfully shares this story through the eyes of the children involved. The vibrant illustrations by Christina Johns are the perfect accompaniment to this authentic vignette of a little-known part of Prairie history.
About the Author
Wilfred Burton grew up in the Midnight Lake area of Saskatchewan and taught in Laloche, Regina and Saskatoon for over thirty years (Kindergarten to post secondary). Wilfred is currently retired, but spends his time volunteering or doing contract work for various school divisions, tribal councils and publishers.
His love of Métis storytelling, fiddle music and dance was a gift from his mother, Georgina Nolin. A gift he loves to share with others through his picture books.