Not My Girl by Christy Jordan-Fenton, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, Gabrielle Grimard

She's been away at the white people's school.  They have cut her hair, taught her manners, fed her white people food and taught her to speak English and French.  When she goes home, she can't remember her native language.  Her mother just looks at her and says, "Not my girl."  So much for a warm homecoming.

Annick Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

Things get worse.  After looking forward to a home cooked meal, she has trouble eating it.  They've weaned her off the traditional foods and she has to learn to eat them again.  She also has to learn how to do work around the house again.  She's forgotten all her harvesting skills.  The dogs don't like her either because she smells different.  It's no fun being home.

In time, thing settle down a bit.  When Christmas comes everyone gets gifts but her.  She's trying not to cry and when her dad asks why, she says she wanted a doll, too.  Her dad asks if she wouldn't like to have her own dog sled better?  Wow! Not only that, her mom hugged her and said, "That's my girl!"  Now she was home again.