Subject: Come Walk in My Moccasins - March, 2014

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Aboriginal Family Literacy Circle Newsletter
March, 2014
Medicine Wheel | Seven Grandfather Teachings | Featured Book | New Words
Medicine Wheel Food & Recipes | Thirteen Moons | Events Calendar | Resources

Come Walk in My Moccasins

Come Walk in My Moccasins is a pilot project created by the Aboriginal Family Literacy Circle and sponsored by HPE CYSN.

Each month, we invite you to discover:
  • Information about Aboriginal culture
  • Programming ideas to use with young children in your home or early learning program
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Medicine Wheel
Medicine Wheel Teachings:
This ancient symbol, used by most First Nations people, teaches us that all things in life are equal and balanced.

Each month you will discover the relationship of one direction to the Seven Grandfather Teachings, a sacred animal, element, plant medicine and more. Discover how these teachings can be used personally and professionally.

The directions include East, South, West, and North as well as Sky, Earth, and the Centre.

We began our introduction of the Medicine Wheel with a focus on its Centre.  This month we turn to the direction of North.
Featured Book
How Chipmunk Got His Stripes
by Joseph Bruchac


Video Clip
Story Extenders:
For more stories, activities, word cards and audible translations, see previous newsletters.
Medicine Wheel Food & Recipes
Back to Roots Traditional Cycle of Foods and Accompanying Recipes

This month, we are featuring recipes representing North / Winter.

View PDF



Created for the NACHC by Lindsay Keuning Rutherford and Thalia Ottaviano
Events Calendar
A Tribe Called Red concert in celebration of Aboriginal Awareness Week
Wednesday, March 19
Kingston
View Events
Gathering Community Making Connections
Free event for Indigenous families with young children
Saturday, March 22, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Kingston

View Events
2014 Circle of All Nations Spring Equinox Event
Saturday, March 22, 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Ottawa
View Events
Seven Grandfather Teachings
Courage
The teaching of courage is represented by the Bear because of its strength and natural ability to overcome challenges. To have courage is to be brave enough to hold your head up high, even through the darkest of times. It is to not give up because the Creator has set out the path for us to learn whatever it is that we need. In times of hardship, courage is necessary for survival.

Humility
Humility is to know yourself as a sacred part of Creation.
Honesty
Honesty in facing a situation is to be brave.
Respect
To honor all creation is to have Respect.
Wisdom
To cherish knowledge is to know Wisdom.
Truth
Truth is to know all of these things.
Love
Love must be unconditional. When people are at their weakest or without love to give, love is needed most.
New Words
Algonquin Words
  • Chipmunk
  • Grandmother
  • Day
  • Night
Mohawk Words
  • Chipmunk
  • Grandmother
  • Day
  • Night
Thirteen Moons
Among First Nations, the annual calendar year follows the 13-moon lunar cycle. Each moon is named for a natural phenomenon – the activity of a seasonally active animal, an important cultural practice or belief, or a common environmental condition.

The turtle, used to represent these thirteen moons, comes from the Anishinaabe culture in which Mother Earth was put on the turtle's back after the great flood. Each of the thirteen sections of the turtle’s back represents one of the thirteen moons of the year. Click on the turtle to discover the name of each moon from January 1st to December 31st.

Resources
Sources for Aboriginal books:
Aboriginal Book Lending:
Come Walk in My Moccasins Partners:
Copyright 2014 Aboriginal Family Literacy Circle                                                                                         1178 County Road #8, K7R 3K7, Napanee, Canada
8064 Old Hwy #2, K0K 1X0, Deseronto, Canada
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