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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter
February 2024
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In this Issue:
Books: Black Bear, Red Fox, We Love You as Much as the Fox Loves Its Tail, kekwan etakwak mîkisîhk / What’s in a Bead?, How I Survived: Four Nights on the Ice Our Music: Grandmother Moon / Winter Moon Our Arts: Beaded Heart Earrings Our Words: Winter Words & Groundhog Day Our Traditions: Snowshoes Recipe: Manoomin Casserole |
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| Did you know…
... for some First Nations, February is considered the Bear Moon? After a long winter's nap, the cubs begin to get restless. The mother bear sends the cubs outside. If the weather is mild, the cubs will stay out to play. If the weather is cold, the cubs go back inside. Ojibwe hunters and other non-hibernating animals would watch for signs in nature of when spring was coming.
They would remember where to find the bear dens for the winter and they would return at this time (February) in winter to look for signs of bear cubs playing in the snow. No foot prints in the snow – longer winter. Many prints in the snow – short winter.
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| Black Bear, Red Fox
Infant & Toddler
Black Bear, Red Fox - Colours in Cree is a dual-language board book authored and illustrated by Cree artist Julie Flett. Different animals and plants and their colours are shown in English and then in Cree. (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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| We Love You as Much as the Fox Loves Its Tail
Preschool & Kindergarten
This loving bedtime poem shares all the ways in which a family will welcome their long-awaited new member. Sharing love as deep as the beluga dives and as warm as the shaggy hair of the muskox, this poem envelopes a new baby in the embrace of their new home in all its forms—the Arctic landscape and the welcoming arms of family.
Written by Inuk/Dene writer Masiana Kelly, and illustrated with warmth and softness by Tamara Campeau, this sweet and simple narrative celebrates the beauty of creating a family and the unbounding love waiting to be shared with a new little soul. (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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kekwan etakwak mîkisîhk / What’s in a Bead?
Primary
Written by Kelsey Borgford who is Nbisiing Nishnaabe, from the Marten clan and Couchie family. She resides in her traditional territory of Nipissing First Nation. Kelsey is constantly seeking to become educated, and educate, about the culture. In all she does, her own Nokomis-baa is central to her story. Illustrated by Tessa Pizzale who grew up in North Bay, Ontario. Her Cree relatives are from Moose Factory, Fort Albany, and Peawanuck. Tessa loves Indigenous crafts and is grateful to her late Kookum for teaching her beading and her Nikawiy for teaching her to sew.
Tessa loves how her grandmother always smells of campfire stories. Mom says it’s because Kohkom spends her days sewing beautiful beads onto smoked hides. Inspired, Tessa asks Kohkom to teach her beading, but first she must listen and learn about the many stories held in a bead. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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| How I Survived: Four Nights on the Ice
Young Adult
After his snowmobile breaks down halfway across the sea ice on a trip back from a fishing camp, Serapio Ittusardjuat recounts the traditional skills and knowledge he leaned on to stay alive.
This harrowing first-person account of four nights spent on the open sea ice—with few supplies and no water—shows young readers the determination and strength necessary to survive in the harsh Arctic climate, even when the worst occurs. (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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| Grandmother Moon / Winter Moon
Grandmother Moon / Winter Moon, a Seneca song, with Elder Gidge Tinney & Diane Martin from North Hastings Children's Services. (2:23 minutes video)
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| Beaded Heart Earrings
Colleen demonstrates how to make beaded heart earrings. (33:42 minute video) |
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| Winter Words & Groundhog Day
Diane and Noreen share Algonquin words related to winter and groundhog day! (1:17 minutes video) |
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| Snowshoes
Read about traditional snowshoes. |
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| Manoomin Casserole
Wild rice—called manoomin in Ojibwe—is a highly nutritious grain gathered from lakes and waterways. Manoomin is not only a delicious, traditional addition to various dishes but also a rich source of protein, fiber, essential minerals, and antioxidants.
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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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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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Sources for Indigenous books:
Indigenous Book Lending:
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Speaker Series with Dr. Pam Palmater, Belleville, ON
Wednesday, February 7 |
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| | Ribbon Skirts & Shirts, Kingston, ON Saturday, February 17 |
| | Pibòn (Winter) Festival, Winterlude Edition, Ottawa, ON
Saturday, February 17 - Monday, February 19 |
| | | Maple Sap & Poetry, Kingston, ON Sunday, February 18 |
| | | Caribou Tufting, Kingston, ON Sunday, February 25 |
| | 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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