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| Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter
March 2020
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| In this Issue:
Books: Let's Count, Whale Snow, The Giant Bear, The Right to Be Cold Our Music: Kelly Fraser Our Arts: Inuit Art Our Words: 15 Inukitut Words to Know Our Stories: The Owl and the Raven Our Traditions: Inuit Amauti Recipe: Caribou Stew |
| | Did you know…
That the Qulliq (Inuit lamp) provides light and warmth to the earth. Within the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the qulliq is a symbolic expression that demonstrates the strength of Inuit women as well as their tender love and care. It shall carry light into the families’ as they continue on their healing journeys.
Personal Reflection Question…
What lesson can we take from the strength of women and their roles across cultures?
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| | Let's Count
Infant/Toddler
Let’s count and sing in Inuktitut!
Based on a children’s song by popular Nunavut band The Jerry Cans, this song book helps children practice counting to five.
Dual-Language: English and Inuktitut (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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| | Whale Snow
Preschool/Kindergarten
Filled with joy, this tale about a loving family and a caring community is something all youngsters can understand. Amiqqaq is home with his grandmother when fat flakes begin to fall. She refers to the precipitation as "whale snow," which occurs when a whale has given itself to the people of their Alaskan village. Soon Amiqqaq's father comes in to announce the kill, and then takes the boy to see the great beast. Before long, Amiqqaq begins to understand the true spirit of the whale, as members of his community come together to celebrate and prepare its different parts for use.
The author has included notes about the Iqupiat culture, a list of words in Iqupiaq, and a link to a Web site where readers can access the story written in that language.
Although infused with the colors of winter, the illustrations create a sense of peace and warmth. Patterson's characters acknowledge the strengths of modern culture without giving up traditional ways: Amiqqaq's father rides a skidoo, but also wears the traditional parka, and villagers dress in various combinations of jeans, parkas, and warm boots. An intriguing glimpse into another culture. (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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| | The Giant Bear
Primary
One of the most terrifying creatures to be found in traditional Inuit stories is the nanurluk, a massive bear the size of an iceberg that lives under the sea ice. Its monstrous size and ice-covered fur make it an almost impenetrable foe. But when a lone hunter spots the breathing hole of the nanurluk on the sea ice near his iglu, he quickly uses his quick thinking and excellent hunting skills to hatch a plan to outsmart the deadly bear.
Jose Angutingunrik, a gifted storyteller and respected elder from Kugaaruk, Nunavut, brings to life a story of the great nanurluk that has been told in the Kugaaruk region for generations. (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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| | The Right to Be Cold: One Woman's Story of Protecting Her Culture, the Arctic and the Whole Planet
Adult
The Arctic ice is receding each year, but just as irreplaceable is the culture, the wisdom that has allowed the Inuit to thrive in the Far North for so long. And it's not just the Arctic. The whole world is changing in dangerous, unpredictable ways. Sheila Watt-Cloutier has devoted her life to protecting what is threatened and nurturing what has been wounded. In this culmination of Watt-Cloutier's regional, national, and international work over the last twenty-five years, The Right to Be Cold explores the parallels between safeguarding the Arctic and the survival of Inuit culture, of which her own background is such an extraordinary example. This is a human story of resilience, commitment, and survival told from the unique vantage point of an Inuk woman who, in spite of many obstacles, rose from humble beginnings in the Arctic to become one of the most influential and decorated environmental, cultural, and human rights advocates in the world. (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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| | | Kelly Fraser
Kelly Fraser was a singer-songwriter who blended English and Inuktitut in her pop songs. She was born in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut. In 2013, her Inuktitut translation of Rihanna's Diamonds In Inuktitut Taimantitut went viral. Like many other Inuit, Kelly had been through many personal struggles, ranging from substance abuse, and the loss of her father to suicide. Kelly was a leader in being vocal about her pain, and sought to bring hope, and inspiration to other Inuit youth. She received the Indspire Award in 2019 for using her music and her own personal struggles to strengthen and promote Inuit culture and language, particularly among young Indigenous people in Canada. Unfortunately, Kelly passed away in December, 2019.
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| | Cape Dorset, Nunavut: The Epicentre of Inuit Art
"The Inuit of Cape Dorset have a solid sense of family, society and tradition, and through their art have managed to place this tiny hamlet prominently on the international arts scene."
(5:23 minute video) |
| | | 15 Inuktitut Words to Know
"Nunavut has four official languages: English, French, Inuktitut, and Inuinnaqtun. The latter two are Inuit languages. Inuktitut is spoken in more communities, but each has several regional dialects. Interestingly, Nunavut is the only province or territory in Canada that has a dominant language that is neither English nor French."
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| | | The Owl and the Raven: An Inuit Legend
In this short animation, you can enjoy the Inuit legend of how Raven got his black coat. (6:40 minute video) |
| | | Inuit Amauti
The amauti is a unique parka style of Inuit clothing with a large hood that protects the child and the mother from extreme cold. Amauti is a big part of Inuit identity and culture. Styles may differ in some communities. In this video, students from Ilitaqsiniq - Nunavut Literacy Council learn history, culture, language and see how the amauti has evolved. (2:41 minute video)
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Warm up this winter with a hearty caribou stew. Any wild game could be used with this recipe by The Northwest Company.
Tip: You can use 4 cups of frozen mixed vegetables, instead of the fresh vegetables in this recipe. Frozen vegetables don’t take as long to cook, so add them about 30 minutes before the end of cooking.
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| Indigenous Language Resources |
| First Voices Kids
Interactive online resource for helping children learn words and phrases in 50 different Indigenous languages on Turtle Island!
With the help of fluent speakers we are reclaiming our Indigenous languages & cultures.
Printable resources for families, teachers, and learners.
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. |
| | Aanii.org Resource website for anishinaabe culture, history and language |
| | | | | | | 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 |
| | 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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| | | The Ongoing Land Struggles of the Kanien’kehá:ka of Kanehsat:ke, Kingston, ON Wednesday, March 4 |
| | | Kingston Indigenous Language Nest - Honouring the Maple Tree, Harrowsmith, ON Sunday, March 8 |
| | | The Mush Hole, Kingston, ON Monday, March 9 |
| | Indigenous Solidarity: A Conversation Series, Kingston, ON
Tuesday, March 10 |
| | Kahwá:tsire & Ollin Visit Denbigh with Drumming & Singing, Denbigh, ON
Wednesday, March 21 |
| | Dot Art Workshop, Belleville, ON Saturday, March 21 |
| | A Taste of Indigenous Canada feauturing Jesse Thistle, Kingston, ON
Thursday, April 2 |
| | 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. |
| | | Copyright 2016 Indigenous Family Literacy Circle 465 Advance Avenue, Napanee, Canada | | | |
