1. After Sarah first meets the strange boy, Matt, she tries to be friendly, but he rebuffs her. Why? What is it that finally draws them together? When people have a conflict, if they could find a common thread, it might bind them together instead of leading to further clashes. Can you find something you have in common with someone you don’t generally get along with?
2. Matt is a boy with a definite attitude problem. After meeting Sarah, his life begins to change. What does Sarah do for him that brings about a greater sense of worth?
3. Matt has a very famous father and a huge house, but is he wealthy? Are there different ways to be wealthy or poor?
4. When Sarah discovers that Matt’s father is missing, they decide to try to find him. What resources do they use? What things might research be helpful in, other than school projects?
5. In Chapter Eight, the children take up spelunking north of Ottawa. How were the caves created and what sort of features and creatures did the characters find inside? How did Nadine show her true colours during this expedition? People often show what they’re made of in crisis situations. Why is that and what does it usually bring out?
6. What were the names that the aboriginals called themselves, their land, and each other? Why are some of the names we use inaccurate? Where do you think they came from?
7. In Chapter Twelve, a major plot point occurs. Nadine throws Sarah and Matt into the time machine. They wind up back in the cave where their first frightening experiences occurred. What was the author doing by introducing the cave earlier? Why does it have a double impact this time?
8. In Chapter Thirteen, Sarah and Matt have their first encounter with an Algonquin boy, Chogan. What does he do for them that allays their suspicions and fear? Little acts of kindness often break down the barriers between different cultures. Can you think of things you can do, or what has been done for you, that are examples of this?
9. Makwa (bear), mahigan (wolf), moz (moose)—these are a few of the Algonquin names for animals. What is a skunk in Algonquin? How was it significant in the story? The Algonquin sometimes used skunks to protect them from bears. When threatened, the skunk would aim and spray directly in the eyes of the bear, as we might use pepper spray. We may fear and respect the bear because of its size, but how do we feel about the skunk? Despite its unpleasant aroma, even the skunk is a creature to admire and respect. How have we lost respect for our environment?
10. Chogan leads Matt and Sarah to the outskirts of his village, where he hides them in the bushes. Describe a typical Algonquin village. What kind of structure did the Algonquin live in? Hint: it wasn’t a teepee. What main material did they use to make their homes, canoes, containers, etc? Why do you think they used this? Despite the different era the children were from and the different culture, why did Sarah and Matt think of Chogan’s family as typical, even idyllic?
11. Matt is abducted/rescued by some Kanienkehaka warriors after he was shot with an arrow from the same tribe. Describe the Kanienkehaka. Why did they help him? Matt initially sees these men as fierce and intimidating, yet in the end their shaman removes his arrow and they’re willing to listen to his arguments for peace. Explain why first impressions are often wrong.
12. How did the Kanienkehaka live and construct their homes? What was similar to the Algonquin and what was different? Why were these two nations always fighting? Does there seem to be a universal theme? Wouldn’t it be better if we could explore our similarities before plunging into conflict over our differences?
13. When Matt and Sarah run into Champlain—the first European they encounter—why are they at odds? What values have they learned through their encounter with the Anishnabe (Original People)? What do they want to change?
14. The aboriginals of North America never took anything from nature that they didn’t use. When an Algonquin removed a strip of bark from a basswood tree for rope, he or she would never entirely denude the tree of bark because it would die. Whenever something was taken from the land necessary to their survival—bark, animals, trees—an offering of tobacco was left in its place. This is an example of their reverence for the environment and the creatures of the world. How can we show the same regard?
15. What eventually happens to the people of the First Nations? How does Matt try to change that? If you could change one event that happened in our history, what would it be?
Activities
Time Meddlers Page 34
