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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter
December 2016
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In this issue:
Children's Books: Animal World, Wisahkecahk Flies to the Moon, How Raven Stole the Sun
Medicine Wheel Storytelling: Legends
Children's Song: Oneida Lullaby
Health Change Makers: Indigenous Community Health
Traditional Arts: Métis Beadwork
Recipes: Pain and Arthritis Ointment (Aunty Kate's Oatmeal is also featured under Previous Issues)
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| We have a new name!
The Aboriginal Family Literacy Circle (AFLC) has changed its name to Indigenous Family Literacy Circle. The organizers understand and support the use of "Indigenous" as an international term that frees Indigenous peoples to define who they are, what they want and where they want to be.
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Did you know these facts about wild edibles and traditional foods?
Dandelion (taraxacum) and plantain (plantago) were adopted into indigenous medical and edible cuisine starting back in the 1500’s when these plants arrived to North America. Harvested dandelion root can be added to apple cider vinegar and allowed to sit for 4 weeks to extract its minerals. Contributed by Lori Snyder Métis from Tsuu t’ina. Assinboine, Cree, Objiwe & Nipissing Nations
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Animal World
For infants and toddlers
Animal World is a board book written and illustrated by Bella Bella artist Ben Houstie. It features 40 animals in their natural habitat in the Pacific Northwest.
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For preschoolers
Freda Ahenakew, a Plains Cree scholar, wrote this story in both English and Plains Cree. It is an imaginative tale about Wisahkecahk and his attempt to go to the moon. Each page has wonderful drawings by Sherry Farrell Racette that capture the mystery and beauty of the night sky. This well told story provides Cree language students with a traditional text to enjoy.
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How Raven Stole the Sun
For school-age children
This is an engaging Tlingit story about the shape-shifting Raven who was determined to free the stars, moon and sun from a greedy chief. The story, written by Maria Williams, is brought to life in painterly illustrations by Felix Vigil that convey a sense of the traditional life of the Northwest Coast peoples.
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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 First Peoples' identity, sense of well-being, connection to others and to Creation.
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 newsletter Sarah discusses how Medicine Wheel teachings of the north direction can be revealed through Indigenous legends.
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Oneida Lullaby (3:30 minute video)
Sleep, sleep, baby. I love you.
Because you are a very good child, I love you.
Sleep, sleep, baby. I love you.
Sleep, sleep, baby. I love you.
Because you are a very good child, I love you.
This beautiful and gentle song is from the Oneida people. Oneida is one of the six tribes associated with the Iroquois confederacy, known today as the Hadenosaunee. |
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Healing and Health Change Makers
Napanee Area Community Health Centre is host of the Indigenous Health Council and Indigenous Health Program. This means that the Health Centre has its own Indigenous governing body and is dedicated to hosting Indigenous Health programs.
The Health Centre is unique in that it has its own Traditional Knowledge Holder on site. David Jock is a Mohawk from Akwesasne and is currently working within the Napanee, Deseronto and Kingston site, including Street Health within the Kingston and area Community Health Center. The Health Centre also has an Indigenous Nurse Practitioner, Maureen Buchanan, and an Indigenous Community Development Worker, Kathy Brant.
The Indigenous Health Program offers traditional healing practices, including their new sweat lodge, traditional medicines and ceremonies. They also offer community workshops including hide tanning, drum making and drum circles. |
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Métis Bead-work
Discover how the Metis incorporated European embroidery with their traditional indigenous porcupine quill beading.
See examples of detailed, colourful and intricate bead-work art of the Métis people. |
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| Pain and Arthritis Ointment
Discover how to make an ointment from the buds of poplar trees that will ease pain and heal wounds.
This recipe has been contributed by Lori Snyder who is an educator of wild, edible and medical plants.
Lori is a Métis woman from Tsuu t’ina. Assinboine, Cree, Objiwe & Nipissing Nations. |
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Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen Teachings |
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The Creator
The final element that is addressed in the Rotinonhsyón:ni “words before all else” is Shonkwaya’tíshon, the Creator whom we greet and acknowledge with special attention for everything that he has provided for our use in the natural world. He reminds us how he intended us to live our lives, in peace and harmony with all elements in creation. We are reminded that we must live our lives in a manner that ensures the things he has prepared will continue to be provided for use by our children, grandchildren and all the faces yet to come.
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Click to view a short lesson in Mohawk by Candace Maracle. (2 minute video)
This is the last lesson in speaking the "Words Before All Else". In this video Candace teaches us to give thanks for ......
Candace is a graduate of the Shatiwennakará:tats Adult Language Program.
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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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Canoe Kids
Canoe Kids is a family book for readers of all ages. These full-colour books explore indigenous cultures through authentic Indigenous voices.
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Sources for Indigenous books:
Indigenous Book Lending:
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| Full Moon Ceremony, Kingston Wednesday, December 14 |
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Digital Storytelling Workshops, Kingston
January 13 and 14, 2017For all Indigenous peoples
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Feature from December 2014 issue of Come Walk in My Moccasins: |
| Indigenous Family Literacy Circle Partners:
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Copyright 2016 Indigenous Family Literacy Circle
465 Advance Avenue, Napanee, Canada | |
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