social studies Archives

Sedna, An Inuit Tale

Who lurks in the ocean deep?

Sedna is the Inuit goddess of the sea. According to most versions of the legend Sedna was once a beautiful mortal woman who became the ruler of Adlivun (the Inuit underworld at the bottom of the sea) after her father threw her out of his kayak into the ocean. Sedna’s fingers, which her father had to cut off to keep her from clinging to the side of the boat, are often said to have turned into the first sea mammals.

The other details of Sedna’s story are told differently in different Inuit/Eskimo communities– sometimes she provoked her father’s rage by attacking him or violating cultural taboos, while other times her father was selfishly trying to save his own life by sacrificing Sedna.

Sedna, an Inuit Folk Tale

Fascinating story, huh? I liked it so much I adapted it into a class play with several changes (minus the cutting off part, thank goodness…) for upper elementary and middle grade students.

You can also use it as a reader’s theater piece.

Sedna Reader’s Theater

I am now selling my lesson plans and units on Teacherspayteachers.com. You can thank my dear husband for continuing to encourage me to put together all of the lessons and units I have created over thirty-eight years.

It has been a goal of mine for several years. I kept procrastinating because I figured no one would be interested in my products in drama education. Nay nay, I say….(I heard a comic say that once and it cracked me up!)

So far, as of this writing I have available 130 products to purchase for grades second through twelfth. This one of Sedna is probably one of the most involved plays.

Sedna, an Inuit Tale

I adapted multicultural stories when I taught in a middle school for twelve years. There was simply very little material for class plays and that is what I needed. Desperation is the mother of invention, you know?

A drama class, reading group, Social Studies will find this very useful.

My husband, a retired instrumental music teacher with lots of composing experience, created a song reminiscent of the Inuit culture’s music.

This is a terrific co-teaching experience, too! A drama teacher and vocal music teacher working in tandem on the piece is such a great opportunity for learning. You know?

Included in the product is: