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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter
January 2022
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In this Issue:
Books: This is What I See, When the Trees Crackle with Cold: A Cree Calendar, How Frog Brought Winter, These Are the Stories Our Music: Grandchild's Lullaby Our Arts: Soapstone Carvings Our Words: Winter Birds in Anishinaabemowin Our Stories: Shingibis Our Traditions: Snow Snake Game Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Minestrone |
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| Did you know…
The Midwinter Ceremony, as I understand it, is celebrated after the first New Moon and begins when the 13 Celestreal Stars have aligned. It signifies the New Year which is the beginning of the year.
This Ceremony is sacred to our Mohawk people and is conducted in our Mohawk Language by Our Faith Keepers, Spiritual Leaders, and drummers and dancers. Sometimes at day’s end we may have a social which is open to all.
It is generally a four day Ceremony with special words given to the people. It is accompanied by certain foods. The fourth and final day is when we play “The Creators Game” or known to some as the Peach Stone game. We play together in our clans. Clans vs. Clans, and we play hard to win! Winning this game sets the agenda for our people; signifying how the New Year will be scheduled and which Clan will be responsible for the upcoming ceremonies, planting, naming, and harvesting, etc. for the year.
The Creators game is an honour to win and should always be treated as such.
- Carlene Smart |
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| This Is What I See
This Is What I See is written by Looee Arreak who lives in Iqaluit, Nunavut and grew up in Pangnirtung, Nunavut. She is an award winning Inuktitut singer and songwriter and composed a song “Qaujimavunga Kinummangaarma - I Know Who I Am,” In, This Is What I See, let's count what we see and sing along as we count the animals we see on the tundra. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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When the Trees Crackle with Cold: A Cree Calendar: PĪSIMWASINAHIKAN
Preschool and Kindergarten
A bear sleeping safely in her den, Kohkom telling a story by the fire, the trees crackling with cold—we are all connected to the seasons and the cycle of nature. The calming rhythm of the words echoes the rhythm of the land in this timeless picture book about the moon calendar of the northern Cree, and its warmly rendered watercolour illustrations bring Saskatchewan’s north to life. When the Trees Crackle with Cold is written in English and the northern Plains Cree y-dialect, inviting Cree and non-Cree speakers alike to explore the traditional moon calendar. Written by Bernice Johnson-Laxdal, a Cree language and culture teacher, and illustrated by Miriam Körner, an artist. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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How Frog Brought Winter
Primary
Everyone is treated to a story from Tłichǫ Elder Joe Lazare Zoe of Gameti, Northwest Territories. His inspiring story reminds us that everyone is needed in the great circle of life, and that everyone has gifts to share.
Joe's story was originally shared with renowned Tłichǫ Dene author Richard Van Camp, recorded and translated by Madelaine Pasquayak (who also happens to be Joe’s niece), and illustrated by Dene artist Carla Rae Taylor in coordination with Yellowknife Education District No.1- YK1's Indigenous education coordinator Scott Willoughby. The process of writing How Frog Brought Winter, available in both English and Tłichǫ, reminds us why it’s so important to listen to our Elders and Knowledge Keepers. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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These are the Stories
Adult
Christine Miskonoodinkwe Smith is a Saulteaux woman from Peguis First Nation. These are the Stories is a memoir presented in short chapters, comprising the life of a survivor of the Sixties Scoop. Christine Miskonoodinkwe Smith reveals her experiences in the child welfare system and her journey towards healing in various stages of her life. As an adult, she was able to reconnect with her birth mother. Though her mother passed shortly afterwards, that reconnection allowed the author to finally feel "complete, whole, and home." The memoir details some of the author's travels across Canada as she eventually made a connection with the Peguis First Nation in Manitoba. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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| Grandchild's Lullaby
A beautiful lullaby written and performed by Donna Lynn of ALPHA. The second language you'll hear in the song is L'nu, or Mi'kmaq. Donna wrote the song because she is so grateful for the love and happiness her grandchildren bring into her life. (2:53 minute video) |
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Soapstone Carvings
Portage Collegen shares this video about traditional Inuit art; soapstone carvings. "Inuit art refers to handmade native artwork made by Inuit People. Inuit carvings are made from soapstone, serpentine, and animal bones such as whales." (2:01 minute video)
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| Winter Birds in Anishinaabemowin
Asinikwe and Norman the puppet practice saying the names of winter birds in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe dialect) together. (2:23 minute video) |
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| Shingibis
Asinikwe from Kingston Indigneous Languages Nest shares a winter story about a resilient little duck. Felt pieces and video made by Kahwa:tsire Indigenous-Led Child & Family Programs. (10:11 minute video)
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| Snow Snake Game
Listen as Janice Brant shares the Haudenosaunee orgin story of the Snow Snake Game. (5:56 minute recording) |
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| Roasted Vegetable Minestrone
Enjoy this hearty vegetable soup on a cold winter day. Recipe from the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle (IDHC) Recipe Collection. |
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Indigenous Language Resources |
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First Voices Kids
Interactive online resource for helping children learn words and phrases in 50 different Indigenous languages on Turtle Island!
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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| Kingston Indigenous Language Nest invites you to engage in language revitalization with Dibajimowin: Urban Indigenous Languages Revitalization Project. The centerpiece of this website is a collection of thirty digital stories about culture and language made by community members. Each personal story shares insights into the barriers to language learning and cultural connection as well as the many ways we are resilient and relentless. For each story, we pulled out key themes to create new language learning resources such as vocabulary lessons, creative activities and cultural teachings. We have sorted the stories in different ways: by digital story, by language and by cultural teachings. Explore and Enjoy! |
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Free Anishinaabemowin printable resources, lesson plans, and videos to help learn the language |
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| NEW! Introduction to Anishinàbemowin (Algonquin Language) Plenty Canada is offering an introductory Algonquin language (Anishinàbemowin) course taught by Algonquin Elder and language speaker from Pikwakanagan First Nation, Barry Sarazin, and his wife Jessie-Ann Sarazin, an Algonquin language speaker and artist.
Classes will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from January 6 - April 5, 2022. Each class will be one hour long from 6:30-7:30pm EST, with some additional time for questions at the end of class. |
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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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Aanii.org Resource website for Anishinaabe culture, history and language |
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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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| Gathering Communities Making Connections A list of resources and services for people of Indigenous
Ancestry, and for those who work with them |
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Sources for Indigenous books:
Indigenous Book Lending:
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| Spirit of Food Cooking Kitchen, ONLINE Thursday, January 13 |
| | | Traditional Knowledge Keeper: Anishinabeg Teachings, ONLINE Wednesday, January 19 |
| | Indigenous Scholar Series: Decolonizing through story; a talk by Mika Lafond, ONLINE
Wednesday, January 19 |
| | Songs & Stories with Kahwá:tsire - Literacy & Language, ONLINE
Tuesday, January 25 |
| | 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 aflccanada@gmail.com 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. |
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Copyright 2016 Indigenous Family Literacy Circle 465 Advance Avenue, Napanee, Canada | |
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