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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter
July 2016
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In this issue:
Children's Books: Carry Me Mama, Lessons from Mother Earth, Grandmother's Dreamcatcher
Medicine Wheel Storytelling: Medicinal Stories
Traditional Arts: Mask & Beaded Art with Diio Brant
Children's Songs: Lakota and Ojibwa Lullabies
Indigenous Fusion Recipe: Stuffed Bannock
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Did you know....
Ojibway, Cree and Algonquin peoples built houses called wigwams? The outer covering was made out of animal skins or tree bark, the floor was bare earth and in the winter, straw was placed on the ground. The round shape of the wigwam caused the rain water to quickly run off so the inside stayed dry.
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Carry Me Mama
For infants and toddlers
Carry Me, Mama by Monica Devine is a charming picture book about a child's first serious attempt at walking and her loving mother's efforts to encourage the child. The Native content is suggested only by the illustrations. A girl and her mother travel about by foot and usually mother carriers her daughter in the back of her parka. The landscape suggests a Subarctic region of Canada. The little family enjoys walking to family members' cabins, drying fish, picking berries, and going to the local store.
As the little girl grows, her mother encourages her to walk. At first it is just a few steps, as far as a stone's throw. Next it is a bit farther and a bit farther. The repetition of the little girl asking her mother to carry her is met by gentle disinterest but loving encouragement to walk just a bit farther each trip. A gentle story about the parent-child relationship and the joy found in simple achievements. (excerpt from GoodMinds.com)
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Lessons from Mother Earth
For preschoolers
In this story by Elaine McLeod,Tess has visited her grandmother many times without really being aware of the garden. But today when they step out the door, Tess learns that all of nature can be a garden. And if you take care of the plants that are growing, if you learn about them - understanding when they flower, when they give fruit, and when to leave them alone - you will always find something to nourish you.
At the end of the day, Tess is grateful to Mother Earth for having such a lovely garden, and she is thankful for having such a wise grandma.
Elaine McLeod's poetic text and Colleen Wood's gentle watercolors combine to make Lessons from Mother Earth a celebration of nature and life. (excerpt from StrongNations.com)
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Grandmother's Dreamcatcher
For school-age children
While Kimmy's parents look for a house close to Daddy's job, Kimmy stays with her Chippewa grandmother. The bad dreams she has had still bother her. But with her grandmother's help, she learns about dreamcatchers. (excerpt from Indigo.ca)
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Storytelling through the Medicine Wheel
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Oral storytelling is integral to indigenous cultures. Often people associate legends with oral stories. Yet, as Mohawk knowledge keeper Sarah Dunkley explains, the types of storytelling and the purposes of stories are varied and incredibly significant to our sense of identify, well-being and sense of connection to others and to Creation.
In this introductory video Sarah explains how oral storytelling can be understood using the seven directions of the Medicine Wheel (Centre, Above, Below, East, South, West, and North). (4 1/2 minutes)
Discover how the Centre of the Medicine Wheel (our inner fire) inspires medicinal stories for healing and growth. (4 minutes)
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Lullabies are a wonderful way to introduce languages and cultures to infants and young children.
Watch this video to hear Tina Spotted Thunder sing a Lakota lullaby. (1 1/2 minutes)
In this video young children teach us to sing an Ojibwa lullaby. (2 minutes)
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Art with Diio Brant
Artisan
Diio Brant from Tyendinaga shares how she infuses indigenous culture
into the art she creates using a variety of mediums in this 8 minute interview.
To see some of her jewelery and art work visit the Red Bird Artisans web link.
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Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen Teachings
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The Wild Animals
In the Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen, the
“words before all else” or the “thanksgiving address”, the wild animals are
acknowledged with gratitude.
We give thanks to all the wild
animals that inhabit and roam Mother Earth. Sometimes we see these animals near
our homes but we know that they are also found in the woods and forests. We
give special acknowledgement and gratitude to the deer, the leader of the wild
animals. We are thankful that the Creator gave us the deer which provides us
with meat to nourish us and also the hides which we use to provide clothing and
protection for our bodies. Each of the wild animals were created with a purpose.
For this we must continue to acknowledge and give thanks to all the wild
animals for continuing to uphold their duties and responsibilities to
creation.
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Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na provides Mohawk language and culture programming at the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory (the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte).
Programs include: Totáhne (At Grandma's House) for preschool children, Kawenna'ón:we Primary Immersion (K-4) and Shatiwennakará:tats, a program for Adults
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Stuffed Bannock
Bannock, a traditional indigenous bread, can be prepared in many different ways. Ontario Native Women's Association offers this version of bannock in which meat is seasoned and rolled inside bannock dough before it is baked.
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Canoe Kids
- Print resource for children of all ages, educators, parents and families.
- Each issue explores a different culture through authentic indigenous voices
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Sources for Aboriginal books:
- Good Reads Baby Books: Written in Navajo and English, this baby book series is perfect for pre-K through 1st grade.
Aboriginal Book Lending:
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| Powwows in Ontario
Various locations throughout the summer
View Details
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| | | | | Aboriginal Family Literacy Circle Partners:
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Copyright 2016 Aboriginal Family Literacy Circle
465 Advance Avenue, Napanee, Canada | |
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