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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter
August 2016
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In this issue:
Children's Books: Loving Me, Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox, I am Raven
Medicine Wheel Storytelling: Ancient Stories
Children's Song: Mohawk Counting Song
Elder Change Makers: Katarakwi Grandmother's Council - Laurel Claus-Johnson
Traditional Arts: Sweet Grass Harvest and Teachings
Recipes: Traditional Foods on the Wild Side
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Did you know these facts about wild edibles and traditional foods?
Cattail roots can be dried, ground into flour and added to regular flour. The roots are almost pure starch. Cattail stems and leaves can be dried and used to weave baskets and chair seats.
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Loving Me
For infants and toddlers
Loving Me, by Debbie Slier, is a
board book featuring contemporary Native American families. Babies and toddlers
discover the importance of family relationships through heart-warming
photographs. This appealing board book features Iroquois, Bannock/Shoshone,
Lakota, Navajo, and Potawatomi multi-generational family members. (Paraphrased from GoodMinds.com)
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Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox
For preschoolers
Sometimes I Feel
Like a Fox, by Danielle Daniel, is an introduction to the Anishinaabe
tradition of totem animals and its importance to the culture. Young children
are encouraged to explain why they identify with different creatures such as a
deer, beaver or moose. Delightful illustrations show the children wearing masks
representing their chosen animal. A few
lines of text on each page work as a series of simple poems throughout the
book. (Paraphrased from Strong Nations.com)
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I Am Raven
For school-age children
I Am Raven is by Métis author David Bouchard and illustrated by Kwakwaka’wakw
artist Andy Everson. It is a story about
the importance in life of understanding one's character. The journey to
self-knowledge is described using readily identifiable Northwest Coast imagery
and a story about a wise chief’s quest to organize a potlatch. The images
created by Andy Everson allow readers to imagine the meetings between the chief
and his animal cousins. The author's note at the end of the book provides older
readers with an understanding of the character traits of various guardian or
spirit totems. (Paraphrased from GoodMinds.com)
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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 the July 2016 newsletter Sarah explained how oral storytelling can be understood using the seven directions of the Medicine Wheel (Centre, Above, Below, East, South, West, and North).
In this newsletter edition Sarah continues to explore the Medicine Wheel teachings with stories that are found in the directions Above (Ancient Stories) and Below (Family Stories).
The Ancient Stories (3 minute video) Family Stories (2 minute video)
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Mohawk Counting Song
This Mohawk Counting Song is sung by Karonhyaken:re (a teacher at Kawenna’ón:we
Primary Immersion School) and her daughter Katsistokwahawi (a Gr. 3 student at
Kawenna’on:we).
(1 min video)
English Translation:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10,
the number of people
10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1,
the number of people |
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Kataraokwi Grandmothers Council
The Katarokwi Grandmothers' Council is a group of Grandmothers (Kokum) who are raising and/or teaching their grandchildren the traditions. The Grandmothers first came together as a group in 2014 for tea and chat and later committed to organizing 4 Ceremonies per year where the community would come together to 'bring back the traditions'. In the words of Grandmother Barbara Hooper, 'we are returning to the Old Ways'.
Hear the sounds of drumming, singing, and children's voices in the background as Laurel Claus-Johnson talks about the importance of grandmothers as changer makers today.
(4 minute video) |
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Harvesting and Braiding Sweet Grass
Sweet Grass is considered by the Anishinaabe Nation to be the hair of Mother Earth. It is used in many gift items and also in smudge, where it attracts positive energy. It can be picked wild in many ditches in mid-summer.
Harvesting Sweet Grass (3:48 minute video)
Sweet Grass Braiding and Teachings (1:49 minute video)
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Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen Teachings
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The Trees and Bushes
In the Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen, the
“words before all else” or the “thanksgiving address”, the trees and bushes are
acknowledged with gratitude.
We give thanks to all the trees and
bushes found on Mother Earth. There are many species of trees and bushes, large
and small and we acknowledge each and every one for what they provide for us.
Some provide fruit, some provide shade and some provide wood that we can use to
make our fires and to heat our homes and cook our foods. We give special
gratitude and acknowledgement to the Maple tree. It is the sap water that flows
from the Maple tree in the early Spring that we drink to cleanse our body. It
gives us nourishment and provides for good health. Each and every tree and bush
was created with a purpose. For this we must continue to acknowledge and give
thanks to all the trees and bushes 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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Traditional Foods and Recipes on the Wild Side
Native Women's Association of Canada
"This booklet has been developed to complement
the Native Women's Association of Canada Diabetes Toolkit. It is intended to provide
some cultural context, as well as information
about traditional foods.
You’ll also find a few recipes on the wild side!"
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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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