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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter September 2025 |
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In this Issue:
Books: Today is Orange Shirt Day, Autumn, Brave, Beyond The Orange Shirt Day Story Our Music: Waawaatesi (Firefly) Our Words: Autumn Harvest Our Stories: Residential School Survivor Stories Our Traditions: Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory Flag
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Did you know...
...The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was created through a legal settlement between Residential Schools Survivors, the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit representatives and the parties responsible for creation and operation of the schools: the federal government and the church bodies?
The TRC’s mandate was to inform all Canadians about what happened in residential schools. The TRC documented the truth of Survivors, their families, communities and anyone personally affected by the residential school experience. This included First Nations, Inuit and Métis former residential school students, their families, communities, the churches, former school employees, government officials and other Canadians.
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| Today is Orange Shirt Day
Infant and Toddler
Today, we gather together Today, we listen Today, we learn Today, we open our hearts.
A first conversation about the importance of Orange Shirt Day - Every Child Matters and what little ones can expect to see and do on Orange Shirt Day - The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
An authentic, age-appropriate touch-and-feel board book designed for ages 0-3, written by the founder of the Orange Shirt Day movement and author of award-winning picture book Every Child Matters.
Orange Shirt Day is a day recognized annually on September 30th to honour Residential School Survivors, their families, and the children who did not come home. This book contains 16 illustrations. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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| Autumn
Preschool and Kindergarten
Discover the power of poetry in this simple, modern introduction to Indigenous poet Alexander Posey, featuring an ode to autumn and the changing seasons
Autumn depicts a dreamy fall day full of jaybird songs and scarlet leaves dancing through the air. In this poem, Muscogee poet Alexander Posey celebrates the changing of the seasons as the golden sun sets on summer and the world prepares for a time of rest. With stunning illustrations from Salish artist Paige Pettibon and interactive back matter that encourages young readers to create their own poetry, this accessible picture book is a joy for young poets and their parents alike. (excerpt from Strongnations.com) |
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| Brave
Primary
Each morning, Dad brushes the knots from his son’s long hair to braid it. The boy winces at the tugging, and at school he’s teased for his braid. But he remembers the stories of how his father and grandpa were forced to cut their hair and forbidden from practicing their traditions when they were young, and how they fought to make it possible for him to wear his hair long. Although it can hurt, having long hair ultimately makes him feel brave and strong.
This powerful picture book by author-illustrator Weshoyot Alvitre examines the traumatic history of colonization and reclaims Native pride in long hair, delivering a tender father-son story that’s perfect for fans of Hair Love and Love in the Library. Full colour illustrations. (excerpt from Goodminds.com) |
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| Beyond The Orange Shirt Story
Teen and Young Adult
Beyond the Orange Shirt Story is a unique collection of truths, as told by Phyllis Webstad's family and others, that will give readers an up-close look at what life was like before, during, and after their Residential School experiences. In this book, Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors share their stories authentically and in their own words. Phyllis Webstad is a Residential School Survivor and founder of the Orange Shirt Day movement. Phyllis has carefully selected stories to help Canadians educate themselves and gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of the Residential School System. Readers of this book will become more aware of a number of challenges faced by many Indigenous peoples in Canada. With this awareness comes learning and unlearning, understanding, acceptance, and change. Phyllis's hope is that all Canadians honour the lives and experiences of Survivors and their families as we go Beyond the Orange Shirt Story. (excerpt from Goodminds.com) |
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| Waawaatesi (Firefly)
Sing along to this beautiful Ojibwe song about Waawaatesi guiding children home before nightfall. In this video, the song is sung by Maureen Buchanan and Lindsay Morcom. (1:02 minute video) |
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| Autumn Harvest
Learn Ojibwe food names in this video by Kahwa:tsire Indigenous-Led Child & Family Programs. (1:17 minute video) |
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Residential School Survivor Stories
Legacy of Hope shares Survivor stories drawn from their Our Stories…Our Strength video collection. Men and women shared their personal and often painful accounts of their experiences of residential school and its legacy. It is by sharing these truths that we can all continue to work toward understanding and healing.
Warning: These videos contain subject matter that may be disturbing to some, particularly Survivors of the Residential School System. Please call the Health Canada 24-Hour National Survivors Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 if you need assistance. |
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| Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory Flag
The Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory flag is an emblem of peace and unity and draws attention to the importance of civic affairs. Click the link to learn more!
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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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| Pow Wow Etiquette Everyone is welcome at a Pow Wow! It is a celebration of Indigenous culture. If it is your first time attending, please become familiar with Pow Wow etiquette. Miigwech Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe for creating this resource. |
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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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| Akwesasne Powwow, Lamoureux Park, Tsikaná:taien / Cornwall, ON Saturday & Sunday, September 6 & 7 |
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| Breakfast & Beads, Tyendinaga, ON Saturday, September 13 |
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| Indigenous Languages Circle, Kingston, ON Sunday, September 14 |
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| National Truth and Reconciliation Day, Kingston, ON Tuesday, September 30 |
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| Every Child Matters 5th Annual Walk, Tyendinaga, ON Tuesday, September 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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