“Come Walk In My Moccasins” – A Resource For Parents And Professionals For Young Children

Early Literacy | Mar 19, 2014

by Susan Ramsay, Early Literacy Specialist

Though mounds of snow are still with us, the first day of spring is imminent and already being welcomed with birds singing and longer days of sunshine. Squirrels are out in droves looking for hidden stashes of nuts but I have not yet seen or heard a chipmunk. Chipmunks, as we are told in the Aboriginal story “How the Chipmunk Got His Stripes”, chatter gleefully once they emerge from hibernation into sun.

“How the Chipmunk Got His Stripes”, by Indigenous author and storyteller Joseph Bruchac, is the featured story in a new monthly e-newsletter for parents and educators with young children. This free electronic resource called “Come Walk in My Moccasins” has been created by members of the Aboriginal Family Literacy Circle with the support of Elders in our area. The newsletter includes a featured Aboriginal story video with downloadable activities to do with young children, audible First Nation language translations, and information about the Seven Grandfather Teachings, Medicine Wheel, and traditional foods and recipes that correspond to the Medicine Wheel directions. The newsletter also highlights upcoming events and ways to access other First Nations, Inuit and Métis resources through the internet.

The idea for “Come Walk in My Moccasins” germinated within the Aboriginal Family Literacy Circle, a network of local Aboriginal and mainstream service providers who work with families with young children. The Circle has been meeting and learning from one another since 2004, and is focused on developing greater sensitivity and awareness to Aboriginal culture and people. The Circle does this through Aboriginal workshops and resource development that support learning and literacy within families and communities.

The March edition of “Come Walk in My Moccasins” is out now and available to anyone who is interested, regardless of cultural background.

To access “Come Walk in My Moccasins”, use this link: https://app.getresponse.com/site/sramsay/webform.html?wid=906602&u=Ssql or search for Aboriginal Family Literacy Circle on Facebook. The link to the newsletter can be accessed from this Facebook page as well. On the Aboriginal Family Literacy Facebook page you will be able to offer your reflections, insights, and suggestions about using Aboriginal stories and activities with mainstream and Indigenous children, and in so doing, create a wider circle of conversation and community.

“Come Walk in My Moccasins” has been launched through the financial support of the Hastings-Prince Edward Children and Youth Services Network.

Susan Ramsay is the Early Literacy Specialist for Hastings, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington. You can contact her at 613-354-6318 (ext 32) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.