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| Come Walk in My Moccasins Newsletter
September 2021
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| In this Issue:
Books: If You're Happy and You Know It, White Raven, Rez Dogs, Beyond the Orange Shirt Story Our Music: Cree Syllabic Song Our Words: Family Members in Algonquin & Mohawk Our Stories: When We Were Alone Our Traditions: Indigenous Games for Children Recipe: Johnny Cake |
| | | Did you know…
More than 150,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit children were forced to attend church-run, government-funded schools between the 1870s and 1997?
Amendments to the Indian Act in 1894 authorized the government to remove an Indigenous child from their family if it was felt they were not being properly cared for or educated and place them in a school. Subsequent amendments to the act in 1920 further reinforced compulsory attendance at the schools.
Children were removed from their families and culture and forced to learn English, embrace Christianity and adopt the customs of the country's white majority.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation examining residential schools has identified the names of, or information about, more than 4,100 children who died while attending these schools, most due to malnourishment or disease.
Former senator Murray Sinclair, who chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) examining residential schools, has said he believes the death count could be much higher because of the schools' poor burial records.
The Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) has recognized 139 residential schools across Canada. However, this number excludes schools that operated without federal support, such as those run solely by religious orders or provincial governments. (excerpt from cbc.ca/news - Full article here)
Personal Reflection Question…
Wearing an orange shirt on September 30th is a way to show support and spread awareness about residential schools. Will you be wearing an orange shirt on September 30th? What other ways could you learn more about the Indigenous peoples in communities near you? |
| | If You're Happy and You Know It, Dual Language
Infant and Toddler
If You're Happy and You Know It is written by Monica Ittusardjuat, a residential school survivor who grew up in a time when Inuit lived a subsistence way of life, moving camps and following animals where they were plentiful. This book is illustrated by Ali Hinch. Tuktu and his friends are singing “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Join in and sing along! In this interactive book, children can sing along and do the actions with the characters in the book. With interactive books, children are encouraged to actively participate in the stories they are listening to. Through directions or instructional text, children are encouraged to play, move, or make sounds along with the characters in the book. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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| | White Raven
Preschool and Kindergarten
White Raven by Teoni Spathelfer, a member of the Heiltsuk Nation from coastal BC, and illustrated by Natassia Davis, is the story of Little Wolf. All grown up with a family of her own, Little Wolf moves from the big city to the island of her ancestors. She wants to share the beauty and mysteries of nature with her children, and she wants them to learn as much about their culture as possible. One day, Little Wolf’s mother, White Raven, visits and begins to tell her grandchildren stories from her own childhood. But the stories are not happy ones. As a child, White Raven left her family to attend St. Michael’s Residential School in Alert Bay, BC. While there, she experienced hunger, loneliness, shame, and isolation from her language and her culture. Even years later, as a grown woman and Elder, she has nightmares about her time at the school. But by sharing her story with Little Wolf and her grandchildren, White Raven begins to heal and brings the family closer together. Through simple, heartfelt text and vivid illustrations that combine contemporary and traditional Indigenous motifs, White Raven is an engaging teaching tool as well as a relatable narrative about the impact of intergenerational trauma on families. Based on the author’s own life and her mother’s residential school experience, the central message of this book is one of healing and family unity.(excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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| | Rez Dogs
Primary
Malian loves spending time with her grandparents at their home on a Wabanaki reservation. She’s there for a visit when, suddenly, all travel shuts down. There’s a new virus making people sick, and Malian will have to stay with her grandparents for the duration.
Everyone is worried about the pandemic, but Malian knows how to keep her family and community safe: She protects her grandparents, and they protect her. She doesn’t go outside to play with friends, she helps her grandparents use video chat, and she listens to and learns from their stories. And when Malsum, one of the dogs living on the rez, shows up at their door, Malian’s family knows that he’ll protect them too.
Told in verse inspired by oral storytelling, this novel about the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the ways Malian’s community has cared for one another through plagues of the past, and how they keep caring for one another today. (excerpt from Strongnations.com)
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| | Beyond the Orange Shirt Story
Adult
Beyond the Orange Shirt Story is a unique collection of truths, as told by Phyllis Webstad's family and others, that will give readers an up-close look at what life was like before, during, and after their Residential School experiences. In this book, Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors share their stories authentically and in their own words. Phyllis Webstad is a Residential School Survivor and founder of the Orange Shirt Day movement. Phyllis has carefully selected stories to help Canadians educate themselves and gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of the Residential School System. Readers of this book will become more aware of a number of challenges faced by many Indigenous peoples in Canada. With this awareness comes learning and unlearning, understanding, acceptance, and change. Phyllis's hope is that all Canadians honour the lives and experiences of Survivors and their families as we go Beyond the Orange Shirt Story.
Phyllis Webstad (nee Jack) is Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation (Canoe Creek/Dog Creek). She comes from mixed Secwepemc and European ancestry. Born in Dog Creek, Phyllis is married, has one son, a step-son, five grandchildren, and now lives in Williams Lake, BC. Phyllis earned diplomas in both Business Administration and Accounting and is the Executive Director of the Orange Shirt Society. The author of multiple books, she tours the country telling her story and raising awareness about the impacts of the Residential School System. Her simple orange shirt has become a conversation starter for all aspects of Residential School across Canada and beyond. (excerpt from Goodminds.com)
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| | | Cree Syllabic Song
Father sings Cree Syllabic Song to his baby. Syllabic is similar to the English alphabet. (1:29 minute video) |
| | | | | When We Were Alone
A young girl is helping her grandmother in the garden when she notices things about her grandmother that make her curious. As she asks her grandmother about these things, she is told about life at a residential school, where everything was taken away. This quiet book is about a difficult time and is also a story of empowerment and strength. (4:50 minute video) |
| | | Indigenous Games for Children
"The Indigenous Games for Children Resource is a collection of traditional Indigenous games and activities to help front line leaders introduce or reconnect children to recreational and sport activities that reflect the rich cultural heritage of our Indigenous peoples across Canada.
Through consultation with Indigenous communities and cultural organizations, researchers and existing publications, this resource is a collection of activity cards for use by leaders working with children in a program setting. There are several activities that put children in touch with nature. Indigenous people in Canada have always had a special bond with their natural environments and for many years, depended entirely upon Mother Earth for their survival. Many games were introduced to children by elders to help them learn and develop skills necessary for survival, building strength and agility, hunting and gathering
food in harsh weather environments. Many of these active games will also help children increase their physical activity levels while strengthening their sense of culture and tradition."
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| | | Johnny Cake
Tracey Gazley shares a recipe for johnny cake and also includes directions to adapt to make muffins.This delicious treat is best served warm and goes great with soups and stews! |
| Indigenous Language Resources |
| 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. |
| | 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! |
| Free Anishinaabemowin printable resources, lesson plans, and videos to help learn the language |
| | | 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. |
| | 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 |
| | Sources for Indigenous books:
Indigenous Book Lending:
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| | | On the Land with KILN: Sovereignty Garden Summer Series, Kingston Thursday, September 2
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| | | Kahwa:tsire Outdoor Program, Roblin, ON Tuesday, September 14 |
| | | Story Walk with Kahwa:tsire, Odessa, ON Tuesday, September 21 |
| | | Smoketrail Singers Drum Group, Scugog, ON Saturday, September 25 |
| | Truth and Reconciliation Week, ONLINE
September 27 - October 1 |
| | | Orange Shirt Day, Ottawa, ON Thursday, September 30 |
| | 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 | | | |
