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Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter
June 2019
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In this Issue:
Books: I Am Eating, Wild Berries, Kawlija's Berry Promise, Heart Berries Our Music: Algonquin Frog Song Our Words: Mohawk Language Lesson Our Stories: Strawberry Teachings with Albert Dumont Our Traditions: Strawberry Teachings, Berry Fasting Recipe: Strawberry Drink |
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The strawberries are symbolic of life and health and indicate the beginning of the harvest of fresh fruits. “The strawberry is called ‘The Leader of the Berries,’ because it is the first to ripen. The strawberry is also called ‘The Big Medicine,’ because it is shaped like a heart, and when we eat it or drink the juice from the berry, we are rejuvenated. The strawberry has important medicinal powers which help to strengthen our blood,” Kay Olan (Ionataiewas), a member of the Mohawk Nation and storyteller
The strawberry plant is used to treat digestive disorders, skin problems, and to strengthen the uterus during and after pregnancy. The fruit and leaves are an excellent source of vitamin C.
Personal Reflection Question… How is your relationship with food such as berries important to your overall health? |
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I Am Eating
Infant/Toddler
I Am Eating is a dual language reader from Arvaaq Books, an imprint of Inhabit Education designed to interest young children. All books feature colourful and engaging illustrations or photographs and are available in English and Inuktitut syllabics. Illustrated by Lenny Lishchenko, this 12-page book asks readers about the foods they enjoy eating. Each 2-page page spread features a colour illustration of Inuit food such as bannock, maktaaq, berries, fish, caribou, and the phrase I am Eating in English and syllabics. The final page simply states I am Full showing an empty plate. This emergent reader title introduces Canadian students to some of the foods Inuit enjoy eating. In addition Inuktitut syllabics are introduced to students unfamiliar with this text and reinforce syllabics for Inuit children. (adapted from Goodminds.com)
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| Wild Berries
Preschool/Kindergarten
Cree/Métis author and illustrator Julie Flett has created a charming picture book about the simple act of blueberry picking. Grandmother and grandson Clarence always picked berries together. Even when the boy was a baby Grandmother took him out to the land. Grandmother sang to the child. Now that he has grown Clarence can carry the pail by himself and sing songs with his Grandmother. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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Kawlija's Blueberry Promise
Primary
Kawlija's Blueberry Promise describes the summer blueberry harvest, an annual expedition for seven-year-old Kawlija and her family. When her father needs her to pick more berries than she eats, she promises to do her best. But can she avoid temptation? An enchanting story is also a rich portrait of rural Metis life in the '50s. It is the girl's honesty that saves the day. A read aloud book about harvesting blueberries set in Duck Bay, Manitoba. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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Heart Berries
Adult
Heart Berries is a powerful, poetic memoir of a woman's coming of age on the Seabird Island Indian Reservation in British Columbia. Having survived a profoundly dysfunctional upbringing only to find herself hospitalized and facing a dual diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Bipolar II, Terese Mailhot is given a notebook and begins to write her way out of trauma. The triumphant result is Heart Berries, a memorial for Mailhot's mother, a social worker and activist who had a thing for prisoners; a story of reconciliation with her father--an abusive drunk and a brilliant artist--who was murdered under mysterious circumstances; and an elegy on how difficult it is to love someone while dragging the long shadows of shame. (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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Algonquin Frog Song by Danka Brewer
A video taken during an "On The Land session" for Early Childhood Educators at The HR Frink Centre in Planifield, Ontario. Danka Brewer, also known as Kokum Makwa, leads the group with an Algonquin Frog Song (2:01 minute video)
Hey Waabii
O maa gaa key
Nii gaw ah moo
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| Mohawk Language Lesson
Watch as Jennie and Ryan teach us to say "ken'niyohontésha" which means strawberry in Mohawk. (.28 second video) |
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| Strawberry Teachings with Albert Dumont
Algonquin Albert Dumont on how Indigenous spirituality is beautiful, powerful, and precious. He shares his Algonquin belief of how strawberries were first seen on a grave, and that they're a message of love and support from relatives that have passed to the spirit world. (16:44 minute video) |
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| Strawberry Teachings
"The strawberry teaches forgiveness and peace. The strawberries are shaped like a heart, and strawberries are known to our people as heart berries." -Elder Lillian Pitawanakwat
Read more about strawberries teachings by clicking the link above |
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| Berry Fasting
"The berry fast ceremony marks the stage of life when we start to put away our childhood toys and begin to focus on being a young woman" Read Akeesha Footman's story about her berry fast.
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| Strawberry Drink
A traditional treat. Recipe adapted from the Aboriginal Nutrition Network Traditional Recipes Project.
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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!
Mohawk Words and Phrases
Translations in print and audio formats
Michif Language Resource
Translations in audio, video and print formats
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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Morning and Drop-in Programs
Kawenna'on:we Primary Immersion, Tyendinaga |
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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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Canoe Kids
A family book for readers of all ages that explores Indigenous cultures through authentic Indigenous voices
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Sources for Indigenous books:
Indigenous Book Lending:
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| Honouring Our Community Pow Wow, Scarborough, ON Saturday, June 1 |
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Indigenous Women's Drop in Group, Kingston, ON
Thursday, June 6 & 20 |
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| | 3rd Annual Spirit of the Drum Pow Wow, Smith Falls, ON Saturday, June 8 & Sunday, June 9 |
| | Kingston Indigenous Language Nest, Kingston, ON
Sunday, June 9 & 23
View Details
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| | | Fathers of Tradition, Tyendinaga, ON Wednesday, May 15 - Friday, June 14 |
| | Beyond Words: Dictionaries and Indigenous Languages, Napanee, ON
Monday, June 17 - Monday, June 24 |
| | | Land Acknowledgments, Kingston, ON Monday, June 17 |
| | Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival, Ottawa, ON
Thursday, June 20 - Sunday, June 23
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| | Summer Solstice Drum Circle, Sydenham, ON
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| | Indigenous Heritage & Clay Creations, Toronto, ON
Saturday, June 29 |
| | | Ottawa Indigenous Fashion Week, Ottawa, ON Monday, July 1 - Thursday, July 4 |
| | | Country Day: An Indigenous and Tragically Hip inspired day of events, Picton, ON Friday, July 12 |
| | 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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