Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story Freebie! and More

Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story Free Book Unit - is one of the many Cinderella

stories from around the world I have available in my TES Shop. 

Sootface is based on a Native American legend retold by Robert D. San Souci and carries a common theme widespread among Native American people of the Northeast and Great Lakes tribes - such as the Ojibwa* and other Algonquian groups - that good will triumph over evil. In this legend, a widowed man has three daughters, the two older girls are cruel to the younger girl - who they make do all of the work - including slaving over a hot fire - which singes her hair and leaves burn scars on her face. In some versions, the older sisters go so far as to beat the younger girl and rub soot all over her face - hence the name "Sootface." At the end of the village, is a great hunter, only he is invisible to all but his sister. The girls of the village want to marry him, but he will only marry the one who can see him. In the end, that maiden is "Sootface."

Another wonderful version of this Cinderella story is The Rough Face Girl by Rafe Martin and beautifully illustrated by Dan Shannon. In the author's note - Martin also credits

an Algonquian legend as its source. Both are classic versions where good is rewarded and evil punished. Yet a third version is available on YouTube. In fact, this version could also be used with the "Sootface Book Unit" - even without the book. 

The Algonquian Cinderella story appears in writing as early as 1884 in The Algonquin Legends of New England, by Charles G. Leland, [1884]. 

One of the most important things I emphasize when teaching Sootface, The Rough-Face Girl or any other Native American myth or legend is that Native American communities, tribes, bands and nations are still alive in the Americas and that - despite much hardship - many are thriving and still carry out their ancient traditions today. While we can't erase history - we can represent it in the light of the norms that existed when events occurred and not gloss over the way Native Americans historically were treated; likewise, we should not disregard the accomplishments of modern day Native Americas.

A great resource for Native America Myths and legends - as well as information on how different groups of people lived, what they ate, how they played and what each culture was like then - and is like now - can be found on the website of The Native Languages of the Americas.

Information about Sootface can be found on Google Books.

*Note: Many textbooks refer to the Ojibwa as Chippewa; however, they call themselves Anishinabe - which means "original people" in their native language.  A great complement to "Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story Free Book Unit" is the YouTube video "I am Anishinabe".

Thank for stopping by.


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Elizabeth Chapin-Pinotti
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