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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter October 2025 |
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In this Issue:
Books: Our Little Sharing Circle, Remember Who You Are/kiskisi awîna kiya, The Raven Calls, The Many Names of Robert Cree Our Arts: Beaded Corn Craft Our Music: Calling Our Four Grandfathers Our Words: Thanks for the Foods and Three Sisters Our Stories: Why Corn Husk Dolls Have No Face Our Traditions: Feasting the Drum Recipe: Pumpkin Cookies
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| Our Little Sharing Circle
Infant and Toddler
Written by Theresa "Corky" Larsen-Jonasson, a proud Cree/Danish Métis Elder with roots in Red Deer and Maskwacis First Nations. Illustrated by Jessika Von Innerebner.
In our little sharing circle…We care…We share… Our Little Sharing Circle is a gentle introduction to sharing, listening, and learning in the sharing circle. Our Little Sharing Circle is based on the bestselling picture book, The Sharing Circle. (excerpt from Goodminds.com) |
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| Remember Who You Are /kiskisi awîna kiya
Preschool and Kindergarten
In this lyrical picture book, young readers are reminded of their cultural roots, the wisdom of their ancestors and their own potential. Each page offers an affirmation about identity, respect, love and truth, encouraging all children to embrace their unique gifts and power. From the resilience flowing through their veins to the knowledge written in the stars, Remember Who You Are inspires children to see themselves as integral parts of their community, capable of great leadership and great kindness.
Perfect for bedtime reading and classroom discussions, this book fosters a deep sense of belonging and pride by celebrating Indigenous heritage and reminding young readers who they truly are. (excerpt from Strongnations.com) |
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| The Raven Calls
Primary
In The Raven Calls, we meet Raven, a young girl deeply connected to her roots and the natural beauty of Vashon Island. Raven's journey is intertwined with the ancient wisdom of a cedar tree, which becomes her guide, sharing stories and teachings that connect her—and young readers—to the land, its creatures, and her people's history. (excerpt from Strongnation.com) |
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The Many Name of Robert Cree: How a First Nations Chief Brought Ancient Wisdom to Big Business and Prosperity to His People
Teen and Adult
Elder and Knowledge Keeper Robert Cree is widely respected as a spiritual leader, teacher, and businessman. He is the former Chief of Fort McMurray First Nation 468, where he still resides. Therese Greenwood is an award-winning journalist and author. Her memoir, What You Take with You: Wildfire, Family and the Road Home, was a finalist for an Alberta Book Publishing Award. She lives in Fort McMurry, Alberta.
A vital account of the life and many names of Robert Cree, and his plan for a peaceful, sincere, and just path to reconciliation in an angry and chaotic world.
His mother called him “Bobby Mountain.” Elders called him “Great Man.” His people called him “Chief.” Oil men called him “Mr. Cree.” But the government called him “Number 53.” Robert Cree was all of these while facing his people’s oppressors and freeing the ghosts of tortured spirits.
The Many Names of Robert Cree is his first-person account of survival in a brutally racist residential school system designed to erase traditional Indigenous culture, language, and knowledge. It is also the story of an epic life of struggle and healing, as Cree takes the wisdom of his ancestors and a message of reconciliation to the halls of government and to industry boardrooms.
In the storytelling tradition of his people, Cree recounts his early years in the bush, his captivity at a residential school, his struggles with addiction, his political awakening as one of Canada’s youngest First Nation Chiefs, and the rising Indigenous activism of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. He also recounts the oil industry’s arrival on his poverty-stricken reserve and the ensuing struggle to balance economic opportunity with environmental challenges.
Throughout, Cree’s leadership is rooted in his unshakable commitment to the sacred traditional teachings of his people. His beliefs give him the strength to focus on hope, dignity, and building a better future for his community. Now a respected Elder and spiritual leader, Cree champions forgiveness as a powerful force that can bring healing and transformation for all. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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| Beaded Corn Craft
Diane from North Hastings Children's Services demonstrates how to make a beaded corn craft. (8:51 minute video)
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| Calling Our Four Grandfathers
Another beautiful song from Ontario Native Women's Association's Virtual Drum Book. (2:27 minute video) |
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| Thanks for Food and Three Sisters
Learn to give thanks for foods and the tree sisters in Kanyen'keha (Mohawk) as part of the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen (Thanksgiving Address). (1:47 minute video) |
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| Why Corn Husk Dolls Have No Face
In this video by Ganondagan State Historic Site, listen to Seneca Elder and artisan, Ronnie Reitter, share the story of why Cornhusk Dolls have no face. (4:06 minute video) |
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| Feasting the Drum
Learn food names in Anishinaabemowin while preparing a feast plate. (1:10 minute video) |
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| Pumpkin Cookies
A recipe by Joyous Health using healthy ingredient options. |
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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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| Ohné:ka Healing Project Educator's Resource Guide Created by Abraham Francis and Dr. Sarah Konwahahawi Rourke in collaboration with the Indigenous Arts Collective, designed to reconnect youth and communities with traditional teachings and the sacred responsibility to Water. |
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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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| 'Four Winds, One Earth' exhibition by artist Angela Wiggins, Trenton, ON Begins October 3 |
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| Harvest Festival & Social, Deseronto, ON October 4 |
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| The Art of Visiting 2025, Wolfe Island, ON October 6 -9 |
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Indigenous Languages Circle, Kingston, ON
Saturday, October 12 & October 26 |
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| 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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