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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter April 2025 |
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In this Issue:
Books: Tree: A Peek-Through Board Book, Pêyak Little Duck, Sometimes I Feel Like an Oak, Ally is a Verb Our Music: Niin Mitig Ndaaw Our Words: Algonquin Spring Words Our Stories: Wesakechak and the Birch Tree Our Traditions: Paper Birch Bark Baskets Our Recipe: Wild Rice with Maple Vinaigrette
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Did you know...
...for some First Nations, April is known as the Sugar Bush Moon? It is the time of new life, when all the water starts running and cleansing the earth. This is the time of healing for our relations; the rocks, plants, animals, and human beings. The sap that runs from the sugar bush tree is the medicine we need for the journey ahead.
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| Tree: A peek-through board book
Infant and Toddler
Through a hole in the book's cover, an owl invites you inside to meet a majestic tree and all its forest inhabitants during the changing seasons. With clever die-cuts throughout, each sturdy page reveals a new set of animals playing and living in the tree--baby bears frolicking in the spring, bees buzzing around apples in the summer, squirrels storing nuts in the fall, and finally the lone owl keeping warm during the winter chill, until another year begins. (excerpt from Strongnations.com) |
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| Pêyak Little Duck
Preschool and Kindergarten
In a celebration of the connection between language learning and the land, a young child enjoys a walk in nature and spots different birds while practicing counting from one to ten in Plains Cree. With bright illustrations, rhyming clues in English and pronunciation guides on every page, pêyak little duck is a friendly introduction to Plains Cree and a celebration of the beauty of springtime in the Prairies and the Plains. (excerpt from Goodminds.com) |
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| Sometimes I Feel Like an Oak
Primary
Twelve lyrical poems look at twelve different trees, from early spring to deep winter. In each poem, a child identifies with a feature of the tree — such as the smooth trunk of a birch whose bark has peeled away, the strong branches of a spruce that shelter small birds or the pink flowers of a cherry blossom that tumble like confetti. The poems provide an opportunity to learn about each tree, inspiring us to look afresh at the trees around us — whether in the schoolyard, neighbourhood or park — and get to know them better. In an author’s note, Danielle Daniel shares her belief, similar to her Algonquin ancestors’, that trees are sentient beings with much to give and teach us. (excerpt from Goodminds.com) |
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| Ally is a Verb
Adult
Rose LeMay is a champion for the inclusion and well-being of Indigenous Peoples. From Taku River Tlingit First Nation, she has supported thousands of Canadians to deepen their capacity for reconciliation. As a keynote speaker, she leads people through topics of racism and reconciliation to find common ground and hope. LeMay has a column in the Hill Times and was a 2021 Global Pluralism finalist.
This potent, practical book is a manual for allies for Indigenous Peoples. It presents a roadmap to creating better relationships, equity, and true reconciliation. It offers concrete steps individuals can take, in the organizations they work for and in their personal lives, to become powerful allies.
To know how to move forward with reconciliation between settlers and Indigenous Peoples in North America, we need to know the history. Once we know that, we have the information we need to take next steps. This book gives you an approach to answering the 94 calls to action recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and embeds the ways to deepen your practice of allyship and thus your impact. (excerpt from Goodminds.com) |
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| Niin Mitig Ndaaw (I am a Tree)
Niin Mitig Ndaaw (I am a tree). This Ojibwe song was written and performed by Wiikwedongkwe (Lindsay Morcom) for the Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest. (1:01 minute video) |
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| Algonquin Spring Words
Diane shares spring words in Anishinaabemowin. (.35 second video) |
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| Wesakechak and the Birch Tree
Learn about some of the medicines the birch tree provides in this story shared by Chris Yellowbird about Wesakechak and the Birch Tree. |
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| Paper Birch Bark Baskets
Learn how to make a paper birch bark basket with Algonquin Artist Simon Brascoupé. Using a traditional birch bark basket pattern, learn how these baskets were used and the meaning behind the designs that adorn them. (15:16 minute video) |
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| Wild Rice with Maple Vinaigrette
Enjoy this recipe by Chef Doug Hyndford from Peepeekisis Cree Nation as shared on Canadian Food Focus. A printable form of the recipe is available at the bottom of the page. |
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Indigenous Language Resources |
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| Mohawk Language Learning Resource This open education resource (OER) may be used a supplementary resource to learning the Mohawk language at the beginner level. In the first part of the OER, the basic morphology, of the language is introduced through pronouns, pronoun prefixes, particles, and verb roots. The second part introduces vocabulary builders. Finally, in the third part, basic conversational language is explored.
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Language Resources created with the intention of learning and developing your knowledge of the Michif language. The resources featured are trilingual including the following languages; Michif, French, and English.
Anishnaabemowin - Our Language Our Culture
Ojibwa language booklet
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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). They run several programs, including Totáhne (At Grandma's House) for preschool children, Kawenna'ón:we Primary Immersion (K-4) and Shatiwennakará:tats, a year long program for Adults. |
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Free Anishinaabemowin printable resources, lesson plans, and videos to help learn the language |
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| Nurturing Childhoods Through Indigenous Ways of Knowing Explore teachings, strategies, and resources that guide the inclusion of Indigenous ways of knowing in early learning environments. This is a FREE online course provided by the University of British Columbia. |
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| Toronto Zoo- Turtle Island Conservation Toronto Zoo's Turtle Island Conservation programme (TIC) respectfully shares the hopes and goals of First Nation partners in our committment to the preservation of biodiversity. TIC partners with First Nation communities to preserve community knowledge and significant natural and cultural landscapes.
Resources available in Ojibwe and Mohawk. |
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| Beauty in Movement: An Indigenous Guide to Physical Activity Pamphlet about the importance of physical activity and ideas to get children moving
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Sources for Indigenous books:
Indigenous Book Lending:
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| Opening Garden Ceremony, Kingston, ON |
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| Sweet Water Ceremony, Kingston, ON Sunday, April 6 |
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| Indigenous Focused Positive Parenting, Kingston, ON April 9 - May 28 |
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| | | Indigenous Walking Tour, Toronto, ON Saturday, April 26 |
| | We need YOU!
Help us become more inclusive of the many First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples among our readership. Share an Indigenous recipe, song, or traditional art through Come Walk in My Moccasins. Contact kahwatsire@mbq-tmt.org if you are interested in becoming a guest contributor.
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| | Indigenous Family Literacy Circle Partners:
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| Come Walk in My Moccasins is created by the Indigenous Family Literacy Circle and sponsored by Journey Together through Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. Click here to download or print the Come Walk in My Moccasins pamphlet. |
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Copyright 2016 Indigenous Family Literacy Circle 465 Advance Avenue, Napanee, Canada | |
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