| View this email online if it doesn't display correctly |
|
Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter
July 2017
|
|
|
|
In this issue:
Books: Big and Small, Jingle Dancer, Dragonfly Kites
Our Stories: Counting to Five by Jennifer LaFontaine Our Songs: Head and Shoulder Knees and Toes (Ojibwe) Our Dances: Butterfly Dance Traditional Arts: Ribbon Dress Recipe: Strawberry Water and Cucumber Water
Our Words: Inuktitut |
|
|
There are roughly 35,000 Inuktitut speakers in Canada, including roughly 200 who live regularly outside of traditionally Inuit lands. (Source - Wikipedia under the creative commons license.)
|
|
|
| Big and Small
For infants
Big and Small With Northwest Coast Native Art is a board book from Native Northwest. (excerpt from GoodMinds.com)
|
|
|
| Jingle Dancer
Jenna, a contemporary Muscogee (Creek) girl, wants to honor a family tradition by jingle dancing at the next powwow. But where will she find enough jingles for her dress? This is a heart-warming family story written by Cynthia Smith. (excerpt from Strong Nations)
|
|
|
| Dragonfly Kites
For school-age children
Dragonfly Kites is the reissue of Tomson Highway's Songs of the North children's book trilogy. Cree playwright and musician Tomson Highway created this series that focuses on the lives of two Cree brothers who live in northern Manitoba with their parents and a pet dog. The family is a traditional one that lives on the land and during the summer the family camps along one of the many lakes in the region. It is in this homeland that the two young children let their imaginations soar. Their playmates are the family dog and various baby animals and birds as well as sticks and stones. Their favourite playmates are the dragonflies. The book is a wonderful example of children playing without manufactured toys and taking what the rich environment has to offer. (excerpt from GoodMinds.com)
|
|
|
| Counting to Five
Jennifer LaFonatine is proud of her Métis heritage. Embracing this identify in her everyday life, however, is a journey. Jennifer shares her story about how the Kingston Indigenous Language Nest affirms and supports her right to learn the languages of her ancestors. As her knowledge of Michif, Cree and other Indigenous languages increases, she is deepening her pride and identity as Indigenous. (3 minute video)
|
|
This story has been created through Kingston Indigenous Language Nest and the Indigenous Health Program through Kingston Community Health Centres.
|
|
|
| Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Help children learn the Ojibwe words for head, shoulders, knees, toes, eyes, ears, mouth and nose? Hear and see the words and actions for sharing this familiar song with children.
|
|
|
Native American Butterfly Dance
The story tells us that, long ago when the earth was still new, there was a butterfly who had lost her mate in battle. She became so upset that she put away her wings and got into a cocoon. The Butterfly took off on a long journey for days and months. Across this long journey she came to a stone beneath her feet. The stone was so nice it healed her sorrow. She then put on her wings and began to dance around the stone. The Butterfly returned to her people and told them all about her journey and the new dance.
The Butterfly Dance is known today as the modern day POW WOW competition dance called the "Ladies Fancy Shawl Dance". To the Cherokee this dance represents renewal, and thanks for new seasons, new life, and new beginnings. Dancers performing the Butterfly dance use a medium amount of energy in each movement and most movements are slow and smooth to represent the butterfly wings in flight.
|
|
|
| Ribbon Dress
Sharon Hill Yontatya’tahá:wis is Mohawk, turtle clan from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. She is the mother of 3 children and grandmother of 15.
Sharon is wearing the ribbon dress that she and her eldest daughter made. Although Sharon has been making ribbon shirts and dresses for more than two decades, this is the first time she has owned one herself. This ribbon dress was made in June 2017 for Sharon’s naming ceremony at Strawberry Ceremony, where she received her name Yontatya’tahá:wis ‘they wrap her up.’
Sharon has a strong love of sewing and making things for people. Ribbon shirts and dresses are a traditional outfit of the Iroquois people, although made with modern day materials. |
|
|
| Strawberry Water and Cucumber Water
Create refreshing and nutritious beverages using seasonal fruit and vegetables. This recipe, taken from Food is Our Medicine Making it Sacred, is shared with permission from the Southern Ontario Diabetes Initiative. |
|
|
Inuktitut
Inuktitut is the name of some of the Inuit languages spoken in Canada. It is recognized as an official language in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
Inuktitut varies by dialect and differences found within regions and communities. Inuit write using syllabics. Discover the syllabic-sound relationship in this chart.
|
|
Indigenous Language Resources
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canoe Kids
A family book for readers of all ages that explore Indigenous cultures through authentic Indigenous voices
|
|
|
Sources for Indigenous books:
Indigenous Book Lending:
|
|
|
| Metis Nation Ontario July Calendar, Kingston |
|
|
| Napanee Drum Circle Wednesday, July 5, 2017 |
|
|
| Full Moon Ceremony, Kingston Monday, July 10, 2017 |
|
|
Drum Circle, Deseronto
Wednesday, July 19, 2017 |
|
| | 2017 Pow Wow Schedule (Across Canada) |
| | 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.
|
| | Indigenous Family Literacy Circle Partners:
|
| | | |
Copyright 2016 Indigenous Family Literacy Circle 465 Advance Avenue, Napanee, Canada | |
|
