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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter March 2025 |
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In this Issue:
Books: Baby Smiles/Weskewikwa'sit mijua'ji'j, Sap!, Siha Tooskin Knows The Best Medicine, In My Own Moccasins: A Memoir of Resilience Our Music: Ziinzibaakwadaaboo Nagamowin Our Words: Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen Our Stories: Nanabush Discovers Maple Syrup Our Traditions: Moccasin Game Our Recipe: Three Sisters Rice Bowl
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Did you know...
...for some First Nations, March is known as the Snow Crust Moon? It is a time of reawakening and rebirth. We recognize it as the time of new beginnings. During this moon, we sound out our voices and begin the process of planting the seeds of creation. The snow still covers the earth, but underneath it, we know the world is awakening from its slumber.
This moon is also known as the Worm Moon, Goose Moon, Sugar Moon, Eagle Moon, as well as many others.
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| Baby Smiles/Weskewikwa'sit mijua'ji'j
Infant and Toddler
Illustrated by Loretta Gould, a Mi'kmaw quilter and painter who loves bright, beautiful colours. A self-taught artist, she grew up in Waycobah First Nation where she later raised five children of her own. She began making a living through her art quilts but, when her sewing machine broke in 2013, she decided to try her hand at painting. She's been painting ever since. Loretta's dream is to share her art with the world. For her, art is a way to get her spiritual feelings on canvas.
A bilingual Mi'kmaw-English board book promoting dental health in baby's first year.
Every morning and every night I need help brushing my teeth.
Look at me smiling so healthy and happy.
Healthy gums and teeth improve overall wellness and quality of life, and help you feel confident in your smile. Beginning during pregnancy, there are things you can do to support your child's gum and teeth health.
Through Baby Smiles, The Tui'kn Partnership with support from the Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry, will make sure that baby's teeth are healthy and happy their whole life long. (excerpt from Goodminds.com) |
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| Sap!
Preschool and Kindergarten
Welcome to Cedar School! Join Liv, Tom, Gus, and Bell as they learn on the land and explore Mi’gmaw teachings with their teacher, Miss Sam, and the school’s Mi’gmaw Elder, Jen. With charming illustrations and simple storylines, this decodable series engages students as they practice their reading skills. Each book includes a pre-reading review of non-decodable words, and many of the books introduce special words related to Indigenous teachings. Talking Together prompts facilitate discussions led by the reading teacher.
This series is accompanied by Cedar School Stories, a set of four picture books that expand on the friends’ adventures. Each read-aloud story can be read on its own or alongside the decodable series to enhance learning. Mi’gmaw language is included in each book, along with a pronunciation and translation guide and additional educator information.
Written by Emma Metallic, Mi'kmaq (Mi'gmaq) from Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation, and illustrated by Natalie Laurin, Métis.
In this story, Tom and Liv learn how to collect sap from maple trees. Back at school, Miss Sam heats the sap, and it turns into maple syrup!
Mi’gmaq use maple syrup to sweeten their foods and as medicine.
(excerpt from Goodminds.com) |
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| Siha Tooskin Knows The Best Medicine
Primary
When Siha Tooskin—Paul Wahasaypa—finds himself not feeling at all well he learns that there are answers for him from the healing practices of his own people and from Western medicine. Pay a hospital visit to Paul as he learns more about where “modern medicine” really comes from and how we can all benefit from Indigenous and Western healers as Paul seeks the best medicine for his own wellness.
The Siha Tooskin Knows series uses vivid narratives and dazzling illustrations in contemporary settings to share stories about an 11-year-old Nakota boy.
Nakota lessons aim for universality, informing both Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers. This book illustrates how traditional teachings can play a vital role in contemporary life.
Dynamic illustrations by Nakota artist Chloe Bluebird Mustooch bring this story to life. (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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| In My Own Moccasins A Memoir of Resilience
Young Adult
In My Own Moccasins: A Memoir of Resilience by Helen Knott, Dane-Zaa and Metis/Cree is a three part memoir in her dreamless void, the in-between and the healing. The memoir follows the life of Helen Knott through her childhood, describing life during school especially after eighth grade, and as a young woman on her red road journey through rape, alcoholism and drug addiction. It is her journey of darkness through which she questions her selfhood, ancestry, faith, and existence. But is it also about her healing, ceremony, love of her son and finding strength and resolve through him and herself to recover her warrior spirit and place in the universe. Reflecting on her own family history – the Bigfoots – and generational trauma of colonial oppression, learned helplessness and powerlessness, Helen Knott re-writes her dreamless void. In My Own Moccasins, she writes with the knowledge that she was born knowing and trusts who she is as she grows and moves forward with others in a good way recognizing the value of self-work and the reclamation of medicine in the shared healing process. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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| Ziinzibaakwadaaboo Nagamowin
Sing along to this song about collecting sap written & sung by Maajiigwaneyaash - Gordan Jourdain, Lac La Croix. Click this link and scroll down for printable lyrics from Waking Up Ojibwe. (1:04 minute video) |
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| Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen
In this easy to follow video, learn to say the Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen in Kanyen'keha (Mohawk language). Also known as the Thanksgiving Address or Words Before all Else. (4:37 minute video) |
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| Nanabush Discovers Maple Syrup
We have shared this story before, but it is such a good one, you'll want to listen again! Nanabush discovers maple syrup is based on the story, The Gift is in The Making, by Leanne Simpson. (12:00 minute video) |
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| Moccasin Game
In this video made by Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, learn the origin and rules of the traditional Moccasin Game between Dakota and Ojibwe nations. (3:54 minute video) |
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| Three Sisters Rice Bowl
A simple and tasty recipe from Sweetgrass Trading. |
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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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| March of the Museums: Indigenous Drumming & Language Games, Kingston, ON Tuesday, March 11 |
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| March of the Museums: Songs & Stories, Kingston, ON Thursday, March 13 |
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Indigenous Music & Dance, Napanee, ON
Saturday, March 15
View Details |
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| | | Star Wars in Anishinaabemowin, Kingston, ON Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30 |
| | 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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