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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter
December 2021
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In this Issue:
Books: Guess Who? with Tuktu and Friends, On the Trapline, Yetsa's Sweater, Bobbi Lee Indian Rebel Our Music: Lullaby for Ambrose Our Words: Winter Clothing in Mohawk Our Stories: Mouse Celebrates the Winter Solstice Our Traditions: Significance of Cedar Tea Recipe: Mint Tea |
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| Did you know…
The winter solstice is a special time for the Anishinaabeg. It is the shortest day of the year, and the longest night of the year. For many Indigenous families, solstice is a time of celebration. It marks the coming of a long winter, a time to feast and to use up stored food that may not last the winter. It is a time to share, relax with family. Solstice also marks the beginning of the highly anticipated time for story telling!
Personal Reflection Question...
In what ways do you spend time with family and friends over the winter months?
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| Guess Who? with Tuktu and Friends
Infant and Toddler
Tuktu and his friends are hiding. Can you find them? In this interactive book, children will follow clues to find the animals hidden in the illustrations. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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| On the Trapline
Preschool and Kindergarten
On the Trapline is written by David A. Robertson, a member of the Norway House Cree Nation and the author of numerous books. This book is illustrated by Julie Flett, a Cree-Métis author and illustrator.
In, On the Trapline, a boy and Moshom, his grandpa, take a trip together to visit a place of great meaning to Moshom. A trapline is where people hunt and live off the land, and it was where Moshom grew up. As they embark on their northern journey, the child repeatedly asks his grandfather, "Is this your trapline?" Along the way, the boy finds himself imagining what life was like two generations ago -- a life that appears to be both different from and similar to his life now. This is a heartfelt story about memory, imagination and intergenerational connection that perfectly captures the experience of a young child's wonder as he is introduced to places and stories that hold meaning for his family. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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| Yetsa's Sweater
Primary
Yetsa's Sweater is a charming picture book by Sylvia Olsen about the women of the Coast Salish who continue to create beautiful Cowichan sweaters. It is an effective picture book that demonstrates First Nations experiential learning. Yetsa is spending time with her grandmother assisting in the preparation of the sheep's wool needed to knit these amazing one-of-a-kind sweaters. The story and illustrations show the love and understanding between the generations as Yetsa's mother joins the group to complete the many tasks needed to make the wool ready for knitting. Everyone pulls apart the piles of wool to remove the debris. Yetsa gets a surprise in her pile of wool. The washing is the next step in the process of preparing the wool. Huge pots of boiling water are used to wash the wool. Yetsa helps in all the processes as the wool proceeds on to the wringing and hanging of the heavy strands so they can dry. The next steps include teasing, carding, and spinning the wool so grandmother can begin the knitting process. Yetsa loves helping her mother and grandmother and they all find the hard work and cooperation are a time of closeness and enjoyment. Yetsa had always worn her special sweater since she was little and now she finds her grandmother is knitting her a brand new sweater with the special designs that have meaning for Yetsa. This wonderful book offers a fine example of a read-aloud book for younger children as well as a picture book that explains the processes involved in creating a beautiful work of art. The author includes additional information about the history of the Coast Salish people and their amazing hand-made Cowichan sweaters. The pastel illustrations by Joan Larson capture the love and caring between the generations as a young girl joins her mother and grandmother in learning the art of making Cowichan sweaters. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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| Bobbi Lee Indian Rebel
Adult
Lee Maracle’s Bobbi Lee Indian Rebel tells the narrative of an Indigenous woman raised in North America who finds her strength despite the forces that challenge and oppress her. Grippingly honest, Lee’s autobiographical exploration of post-colonial tensions in Toronto circa 1960-1980 sheds light on the existing racist and sexist sentiments affecting Indigenous women. Reflective of the struggles Indigenous communities face today, this book continues to hold a place within contemporary Indigenous and women’s studies classrooms. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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| Lullaby for Ambrose
Born into the respected multi-generational traditional singing Wood family, Fawn Wood's singing reflects her Cree and Salish tribal lineage. At an early age Fawn would sing her heart out at pow-wows alongside her mother and father. (excerpt from nac-cna.ca)
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| Winter Clothing in Mohawk
Practice saying winter clothing in Kanien’kéha (Mohawk). (1:01 minute video) |
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| Mouse Celebrates the Winter Solstice
Judie Acquin reads Mouse Celebrates the Winter Solstice,as part of the December 2020 Holiday Story Time by the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. Judie also shares a beautiful song. (8:43 minute video) |
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Significance of Cedar Tea
"Cedar has an incredible purpose in detoxification, stimulating the lymphatic system in such a perfect way." Listen as Joseph Pitawanakwat of Creators Garden explains the benefits and importance of cedar tea. (16:35 minute video) |
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| Mint Tea
Enjoy this simple recipe for a delicious mint tea! |
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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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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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Sources for Indigenous books:
Indigenous Book Lending:
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On the Land with KILN: Sunrise Ceremony, Kingston, ON
Saturday, December 4 |
| | On the Land with KILN: Indigenous Food Sovereignty Goals for 2022, Kingston, ON
Saturday, December 4 |
| | Kahwa:tsire Book Club - Traditional StoryTelling & Surprise Book Giveaway, ONLINE
Monday, December 6 |
| | Nurturing Indigenous Identity in an Early Years Centre, ONLINE
Wednesday, December 8 |
| | | Land as Teacher: Celebrating Winter Solstice, ONLINE Saturday, December 18 |
| | Films for Care: An Afternoon of Indigenous Films, Toronto, ON
Saturday, December 18 |
| | 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 aflccanada@gmail.com 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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