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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter
March 2021
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In this Issue:
Books: Mi'kmaw Daily Drum: Mi'kmaw Culture For Every Day of the Week, The Big Blizzard, I Like Who I Am, Zaagi'idiwin: Silent, Unquestionable Act of Love Our Music: Hello Song - Mohawk Our Arts: Métis Artist, Leah Dorion Our Words: Counting to Ten in Mohawk Our Stories: Nanabush & Maple Syrup Our Traditions: Water Drum Recipe: Maple Bacon Cornbread Cultural Safety: Tokenism |
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| Did you know…
Did you know that for many years, long before the the fur traders brought sugar, Indigenous Peoples of the First Nations harvested the savoury sap from the maple trees of Canada? This tradition was passed through the generations. Each Spring, as the maple moon rises, the harvest of the tree sap begins.
Personal Reflection Question…
Does your family have any traditional food or recipes that have been passed down through the generations and have special meaning to you?
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Mi'kmaw Daily Drum: Mi'kmaw Culture For Every Day of the Week
Infant and Toddler
Mi'kmaw Daily Drum: Mi'kmaw Culture For Every Day of the Week is written and illustrated by Mi'kwaw artist Alan Syliboy. Mi'kmaw Daily Drum is in the style of his Mi'kmaw Animals baby board book, which was shortlisted for the Lillian Shepherd Memorial Award for Excellence in Illustration. Mi'kmaw Daily Drum showcases seven of Syliboy's popular Daily Drum artworks, each paired with a different day of the week. From Spirit Woman to Caribou to Round Dance, Mi'kmaw culture and teachings are made accessible to toddlers in this vibrant book form. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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| The Big Blizzard
Preschool and Kindergarten
Niaqualuk and Haugaaq live in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. There is a big blizzard coming! Haugaaq wishes she could play outside more, but Niaqualuk is excited about playing inside. See what fun things the sisters do all day as the blizzard howls outside. (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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I Like Who I Am
Primary
Celina is a young Mohawk girl who moves to her mother's home reserve. She is teased by her classmates who tell her that she is not Mohawk and does not belong because she has blond hair and blue eyes. Celina starts to believe her classmates and decides not to dance at an upcoming Pow Wow. But her great-grandmother helps Celina understand that being Mohawk is not about how she looks but about what she feels in her heart. When the drumming starts at the Pow Wow, Celina decides to dance after all. A beautifully illustrated story, I Like Who I Am explores issues of bullying and belonging as Celina looks for acceptance in her new community. (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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Adult
Zaagi'idiwin: Silent, Unquestionable Act of Love, creates an intersection where viewers meet to understand and explore the essence of relationships, the meaning of connection/disconnection, and the pain of loss. Through the making and documentation of jingle dresses, Marshall explores the deeply personal stories that have shaped her perception of the complexities of her family history in the context of Canadian history. The social inequities, resistance, and sorrow communicated in this body of work serve as a springboard to examine the act of compassion and forgiveness, which ultimately helps to move forward to a new and more affirmative place of being. (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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Mohawk Hello Song
Jennie shares a fun greeting song in Mohawk and English. (.21 second video) |
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| Métis Artist, Leah Dorion
Leah Marie Dorion is an interdisciplinary Metis artist raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. A teacher, painter, filmmaker and published writer, Leah views her Metis heritage as providing her with a unique bridge for knowledge between all people. Leah holds a Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Arts, and Master of Arts degree. She has numerous creative projects to her credit, including academic papers for the Royal Commission of Aboriginal Peoples, books for children, gallery showings of her art works, and numerous video documentaries that showcase Metis culture and history. Leah’s paintings honour the spiritual strength of Aboriginal women and the sacred feminine. Leah believes that women play a key role in passing on vital knowledge for all of humanity which is deeply reflected in her artistic practice. She believes women are the first teachers to the next generation. (excerpt from leahdorion.ca) |
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Counting to Ten
Count to ten with Jennie in Mohawk. (.49 second video)
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| Nanabush and Maple Syrup
Nanabush is a special character in many Anishinaabe stories. Because Nanabush is half spirit, it is said that we should only share stories about him when the snow is on the ground, while he is sleeping. He has special magic and may play tricks on us if he hears us gossiping his name. Vicki, from Kahwa:tsire Indigenous-Led Child & Family Programs shares a felt story about Nanabush and maple syrup. (12:01 minute video) |
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Water Drum
Kaya'tahente from Tahatikonhsotontie Head Start shares a teaching about the Iroquois Water Drum and plays and sings a verse of a song for us! (4:51 minute video) |
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| Maple Bacon Cornbread
Cornbread has always been an important source of nourishment to Indigenous peoples. In this recipe, from the Food Network, it's been made it sweeter, and saltier by adding maple-infused bacon. This cornbread is especially delicious when still warm from the oven.
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This month we are learning about tokenism. Lynda Gerow and Larry McDermott share their thoughts on tokenism in classrooms and the effects tokenism can have to Indigenous peoples on a larger scale. (30:17 minute video) |
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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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UPDATED! 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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| 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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Canoe Kids
A family book for readers of all ages that explores Indigenous cultures through authentic Indigenous voices
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Sources for Indigenous books:
Indigenous Book Lending:
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| Indigenous-led EarlyON Outdoor Playgroup, Kennebec Wilderness Trail, Arden Monday mornings in March |
| | | Without a Whisper, KONNON:KWE, ONLINE Sunday, March 7 |
| | | Grandma Turtle Wisdoms & Rights of Passage, ONLINE Wednesday, March 17 |
| | Indigenous Arts Series, Kingston, ON
Saturday, April 3 |
| | 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. |
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Copyright 2016 Indigenous Family Literacy Circle 465 Advance Avenue, Napanee, Canada | |
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