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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter
September 2016
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In this issue:
Children's Books: Welcome Song, Nokum is My Teacher, A Boy Called Slow
Medicine Wheel Storytelling: Historical Stories
Children's Song: Tidy-up Song
Musician Change Makers: Sisters of the Drum
Traditional Arts: Red Willow Medicines and Dream Catcher Hoops
Recipes: Acorn Bread
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Did you know these facts about wild edibles and traditional foods?
Tea made from the dried leaves or flowers of Mullein weed is good for bronchitits, hay fever, asthma and coughs. It opens and clears the lungs.
Indigenous people used Mullein leaves in their cradleboards for diaper material.
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Welcome Song for Baby
For infants and toddlers
Welcome Song for
Baby: A Lullaby for Newborns by Tlicho (Dogrib) writer Richard Van Camp is
a charming board book for baby. The lyrical poem offers a gentle song to read
aloud to baby and lovely photographs of infants with their parents. The photos
show multicultural parents and children which will appeal to everyone. This
book was selected as a recommended title in the 2009 First Nations Libraries
Community Reads program.(Paraphrased from Goodminds.com)
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Nokum is My Teacher
For preschoolers
Nokum is My
Teacher, written by David Bouchard, is a picture book about the teachings from grandmother, Nokum, told
in English and Cree. Allen Sapp's remarkable oil paintings illustrate this
sensitive book about the importance of Elders. Grandmother provides gentle
teachings about respect for the culture of the Cree and advises the boy about
understanding the world around him as well as his community. Through these gentle
and wise teachings he comes to an understanding about the importance of
learning to read.(Paraphrased from Goodminds.com)
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A Boy Called Slow
For school-age children
A Boy Called Slow:
The True Story of Sitting Bull is a biography of the young Lakota Sioux
youth who became a great leader. Abenaki author Joseph Bruchac retells the
story of the boy's early years from his birth in 1831 until he comes of age. The
story is set within the family and camp of a Plains Nation. Naming is an
important event and those around the child watch carefully for a hint of his
characteristics. Early in life the baby was named Slow in reference to his deliberate actions and reflective nature. Later in life he was given the name Sitting Bull. The story highlights the
childhood of a famous Lakota leader, the importance of names, and the value of
determination and hard work. (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 began a series of videos about how oral storytelling can be understood using the seven directions of the Medicine Wheel (Centre, Above, Below, East, South, West, and North).
In this month's edition Sarah discusses how the Medicine Wheel teachings of the east direction can be revealed through historical stories.
Historical Stories (2.45 minute video)
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Tidy-up Song
Encourage children to help when it's time to tidy up. Diio Brant, Jennie
Hill, and Sarah Dunkley teach us the Mohawk words to this tidy-up song. (30 second video)
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Sisters of the Drum
Sisters of the Drum share indigenous teachings through music. In these two videos, Judi Montgomery introduces us to a Water Ceremony in which the Sisters of the Drum acknowledge and offer individual thanks for water. (1.5 minute video)
The Sisters of the Drum then unite their voices and hearts singing the Algonquin Water Song. The words to this song, when translated into English, say "The water that I carry is the blood of mother earth." (2 minute video)
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| Red Willow Medicines and Dream Catcher Hoops
Red Willow is a medicine to some First Peoples. In the Red Willow Teachings video, Algonquin knowledge keeper Judi Montgomery shares the story she was told about the origins of red willow as a medicine. Judi also teaches us how to harvest red willow and sings the Willow Picking Song. (4 minute video)
In the second video, Judi demonstrates how to prepare medicine from the harvested red willow branches, and suggests other uses for the branches such as hoops for dream catchers. (1.5 minute video) |
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| Acorn Bread
Think that acorns are just for the squirrels? Think again!
Acorns were considered an important source of food for many indigenous peoples around the globe.
This bread recipe is made with acorn flour which can be made at home or purchased online or in some health food stores. |
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Indigenous Language Resources
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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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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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| Aboriginal Family Literacy Circle Partners:
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Copyright 2016 Aboriginal Family Literacy Circle
465 Advance Avenue, Napanee, Canada | |
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