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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter May 2025 |
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In this Issue:
Books: Five Senses for Métis Babies, Spring's Miracle, Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams, Ally is a Verb Our Music: Naanan Omakakiig Our Words: Flowers in Kanyen'keha Our Traditions: Tobacco Offering Our Recipe: Spinach & Artichoke White Bean Skillet
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Did you know...
...for some First Nations, May is known as the Flowering Moon? It is the time for healing and cleansing. During this moon, we begin again, acknowledging the time for replenishing our spirit.
It is the time we feast our bundles and recharge, readying ourselves for the coming moons. It is when we prepare our gardens for the planting of seeds, knowing what is to come.
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| Five Senses for Métis Babies
Infant and Toddler
Written and illustrated by award-winning, bestselling Métis author and artist, Leah Marie Dorion. Michif translation by Irma Klyne and Larry Fayant.
Five Senses for Métis Babies celebrates how we learn our Métis culture through our five senses. As caregivers share authentic and age-appropriate Métis culture, language, music, and heritage, little ones learn about who they are at an early age. It’s never too early to share meaningful cultural experiences with Métis babies so they form a strong sense of Métis identity as they grow up. (excerpt from Goodminds.com) |
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| Spring's Miracle
Preschool and Kindergarten
It’s time to welcome a new season, and this spring is going to be extra special. Dani, a Potawatomi girl, and her family prepare to celebrate the new year, which the Potawatomi and other Anishinaabe people observe at the beginning of spring with a camping and climbing trip. Dani is excited for the adventure, but also nervous. The rocks are so big. Will she make it to the top of her climb? As Dani explores the awakening woods and makes memories with her family, she learns to draw on the courage Creator gives while finding inspiration in the miraculous new life Mother Earth brings forth each spring. (excerpt from Strongnations.com) |
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| Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams
Primary
Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams is an award-winning picture book in the Spirit Bear series written by Order of Canada recipient Cindy Blackstock (Gitxsan Nation) and illustrated by Amanda Strong (Michif). In this story Spirit Bear is on his way home from a sacred ceremony when he meets Jake, a friendly dog, with a bag full of paper hearts attached to wood stakes. Jakes tells Spirit Bear that school children and residential school survivors will plant the hearts when a big report on residential schools called the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC for short) is shared. The TRC will have Calls to Action so we can all help end the unfairness and make sure this generation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit children grow up health and proud. (excerpt from Goodminds.com) |
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| Ally is a Verb
Adult
What can you do to be a better ally for your Indigenous colleagues, community members, and friends? By actively listening to the history and current lived experiences of Indigenous peoples, you can take steps to address the inequities they continue to face. Author Rose LeMay notes that if you continually educate yourself, you will see many opportunities to be an ally.
This insightful book suggests how to enter the field of reconciliation in a good way, in your community and your workplace. You will learn:
-more about the true history shared by Indigenous peoples and colonial governments
-why reconciliation is mostly the responsibility of non-Indigenous people
-approaches to intervene when you see racism happening
-better ways to respond to emotions that come up when doing the work of an ally
-how to be an active team player for equity and inclusion
LeMay describes key principles to promote reconciliation, deepen your practice of allyship, and contribute to meaningful change. (excerpt from Strongnations.com) |
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| Naanan Omakakiig (Five Frogs)
This translation of Five Little Speckled Frogs by Ojibwe.net is fun to sing and act out with children. As they practice counting backward, point out the way words sound a bit different when there is only one frog left! |
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| Flowers in Kanyen'keha
Learn the names of flowers in Kanyen'keha (Mohawk language). Voiced by Logan Maracle, this simple video will help you pronounce flower names in Mohawk. Nya:wen Logan! (1:22 minute video) |
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| Tobacco Offering Protocol
Learn about traditional tobacco in this resource by Carleton University. Learn why and when we offer tobacco, how to make tobacco ties, and the protocol when making a request to an Elder or Knowledge Keeper. |
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| Spinach & Artichoke White Bean Skillet
Kennedy shares a recipe with lots of yummy vegetables. Enjoy! |
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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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Sources for Indigenous books:
Indigenous Book Lending:
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| Red Dress Day, All Across Canada Monday, May 5 |
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| Bear Witness Day, All Across Canada Saturday, May 10 |
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| Moose Hide Campaign Day, All Across Canada Thursday, May 15 |
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| Cree Language Dinner, Kingston, ON Tuesday, May 27 |
| | 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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