Grade levels: Upper Elementary (4-6)

Palmer suggests that Cat and Sid explore the world of the First Nations right here in the City of Toronto, with bus tokens in hand Sid and Cat head out. First stop on the tour is Baby Point, where they meet-up with Professor John Steckley. Professor Steckley tells both Sid and Cat not to be fooled by this residential area that actually hundreds of years ago, the area was a large Seneca village called Teiaigon. Professor Steckley then sends our two hosts out to meet-up with his friend Ron Williamson who has uncovered another historical long house village under a sub division located right in the suburb’s of Toronto. Once learning about this village Sid and Cat meet-up again with Professor Steckley who tours them through a recreated long house village and shows them how the First Nations prepared their food for cooking. Coming to an end of their whirlwind tour Sid and Cat head-up to the Sixth Nations Reserve where they learn first hand on how to make corn bread with a local Elder and Cat has a friendly game of Lacrosse with the bantam six nations team.

A carefree Sid and Cat fly kites on a bright, windy day. Just as Cat is praising the beauty of the day and the wonderful birds, she gets an unexpected surprise. A flock has decided to poop on her! Even though it’s a little gross Palmer tells Cat not to worry since there’s an old legend that says getting pooped on by a bird is good luck! Legend or no legend, Cat doesn’t have any hard feelings towards the birds – she still loves them. Palmer suggests since Cat likes birds so much, they should go visit Point Pelee National Park in southern Ontario. It’s one of the best places in Canada to see lots of birds. Leaving their kites behind, Sid and Cat head off to do a little bird watching.

On a bright, winter day, Sid and Cat are racing beside the Ottawa River. Cat is in the lead with Sid close behind. Coming around a sharp bend, the path suddenly stops and they both almost tumble into the freezing river! Lucky for them they manage not to fall in, but there’s another problem. They have to get across the river. Palmer interrupts to give them some good news. There’s a bridge down river and if they follow his directions, he’ll get them across. As they walk towards the bridge, Palmer tells them how important rivers were to the survival of the early First Nations and settlers. In the Ottawa area, many archaeological First Nation sites have been discovered along these waterways. Cat and Sid ask if they could visit them, but Palmer has a better idea. He says in Ottawa, there’s a place where they can find tons of First Nation artifacts and if they go there, they’ll get a chance to explore the lives of the First Nations. It sounds like a great idea to Sid and Cat, who have now reached the bridge and are about to cross. But the bridge has reminded Palmer of something else. Not only do rivers need bridges, but other things, like canals, can help too and it just so happens that Ottawa has an amazing one. The Rideau. With another great thing added to their “to do” list while in Ottawa, Sid and Cat cross over the bridge.