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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter December 2024 |
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In this Issue:
Books: Lemming's First Christmas, An Anishinaabe Christmas, Twelve Days of Winter: A Wildlife Celebration, Kunuuksayuukka: The Spirit of Winter Storms Our Music: Jingle Bells in Mohawk Our Words: Winter Words in Mohawk Our Stories: Star Woman, a Cree Creation Story Our Traditions: Anishinaabe Cradleboard Recipe: Kate's Moon Cornbread |
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| Did you know...
For some Indigenous Nations, December is known as the Little Sprit Moon? It is a time of healing. By receiving both vision of the spirits and good health, we may walk the red road with purest intentions and we can share this most positive energy with our families and friends for the good of all.
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| Lemming's First Christmas
Infant and Toddler
When Lemming overhears some children singing about Christmas, she can't help but wonder about this new holiday. Qimmiq the sled dog knows all about Christmas. It's the time of year when Santa brings presents to put under your tree!
But...what is a tree? There aren't any trees where Lemming lives, in the treeless Arctic, so she decides to go on the hunt for a tree in order to have her very first Merry Christmas.
Filled with charming holiday illustrations featuring sweet Arctic animals, this book offers a warm and inviting new take on beloved Christmas traditions. (excerpt from Goodminds.com) |
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| An Anishinaabe Christmas
Preschool and Kindergarten
A festive, joyful Indigenous picture book that explores both Christmas traditions and Anishinaabe culture, for fans of Santa in the City and Go Show the World.
One winter solstice, Mommy says, "Baby, we're going home to the Rez. We're going to have an Anishinaabe Christmas." But this is Baby's first Christmas away from the city, and they're worried! They have a lot of questions:
How will Santa know where to find them?
Why do we have presents on Christmas?
How come they're going home to the Rez but don't live there?
On the long trip to Mooshom's and Kookom's, Baby learns about animals being part of their family, about the North Star leading them home and even the meanings of some Anishinaabe words. Will this Anishinaabe Christmas be Baby's best yet? (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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Primary
In this reimagined version of The Twelve Days of Christmas, winter wildlife is observed as the snow comes. What animals do you think you might see? Do you think bears will be included? Why or why not? The only way to find out is to read or sing along as animals watch their world get blanketed by gentle layers of snow. (excerpt from Strongnations.com) |
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| Kunuuksayuukka The Spirit of Winter Storms
Adult
Kunuuksayuukka: The Spirit of Winter Storms is a story of Inuvialuk (Western Arctic Inuk) Elder Rose Kirby’s early life, beginning from her vibrant traditional life on the land, to being taken away on a “ship of tears” to residential school in Aktlarvik (Aklavik), before moving around different DEW Line sites following her father Joseph Saraana Thrasher’s work. Known for her powerful memory and storytelling skills, Rose vividly recounts stories from her childhood and even infancy.
Kunuuksayuukka: The Spirit of Winter Storms honours the important lessons that Rose has learned from her Elders and family, through watching how they interacted with one another, as well as with the larger natural world. Rose uses Kunuuksayuukka—the spirit of winter storms—and its slow disappearance from her life, to describe her own transition from traditional, nomadic life on the land to moving into housing settlements created by tan’ngit (white people).
Through almost 300 pages, Rose’s book weaves through candid stories of human relationships, loss, love and care for one another, humour, pain, strength, and resilience. Most importantly, it is a heartfelt tribute to Inuvialuit culture, language, history, life, and experiences—all through the eyes of an Inuvialuk who has learned to move with the changing world as she grew up. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn about how Inuvialuit lived long ago. (excerpt from Goodminds.com) |
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| Jingle Bells in Mohawk
Kerri Smart sings Jingle Bells in Kanyen'keha (Mohawk language)
Below are the lyrics for you to sing along!
Oniehtokónhshon
Ionkwahonwì:sere
Iakwarėn:note
Iohwistakaré:re
Tsi ionkwahonwì:sere
Ionkwaten’nikonhró:ri
Ionkwatonhnháhere
Shwistá:’ek
Shwistá:’ek
É:so shwistá:’ek
Ion’wé:sen nakohsá:tens
Aionkwahonwí:sere |
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| Winter Words in Mohawk
Kennedy from Kahwa:tsire Indigenous-Led Child & Family Programs shares winter words in Mohawk. (.52 second video) |
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Star Woman, a Cree Creation Story
In this video, Matricia Bauer shares the Cree story of Star Woman. Matricia Bauer is an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper and musician who runs Warrior Women in Jasper National Park, located on Treaty 6 and Treaty 8 territory as well as the traditional lands of the Beaver, Cree, Ojibwe, Secwépemc, Stoney, and Métis.
The Indigenous legend of Star Woman falling to Mother Earth is shared in various formats across Turtle Island (North America). This is a version shared by Matricia from the voices of her Elders. Video by is by Lostcoordinate. (3:34 minute video) |
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| Anishinaabe Cradleboard
The tikanagan, or cradleboard, is an ingenious piece of child care technology that served as the contemporary equivalent of a crib, a carriage, a high chair, and a playpen. Click the link to read more. |
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| Kate's Moon Cornbread
We've shared this recipe before, but so tasty, we thought we would share again! Put your baking skills to the test with this simple step recipe for Aunty Kate's HA HA No Wheat Moon Cornbread.
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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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| 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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| Indigenous Holiday Market, Kingston, ON Saturday, December 7 |
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Indigenous Artisan Marketplace, Toronto, ON December 6 -9 |
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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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