AUGUST 2022

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CONNECTIONS is for Foster and Kinship Caregivers to help them support the Indigenous, Metis and Inuit children and youth in their care to stay connected and learn more about their culture and traditions.

SPOTLIGHT

It's Berry Picking season so this month we’re going to share some great traditional cultural stories, games, recipes and some very berry fun activities!

Food is such an important part of culture and berries have always been an essential part of Indigenous peoples traditional diet.

Berries provide physical, spiritual and mental well-being for Indigenous First Nation, Metis and Inuit people. Berries were eaten fresh, mashed or dried in the sun (or by the fire) to store for winter when they could be added to soups, stews, bannock, teas, dried meat called ‘Pemmican’ and more for some added flavor and sweetness.

Berries are packed with vitamins and minerals and were especially important for the Inuit people, who had no alternative way to get these essential nutrients

STRAWBERRY

“The strawberry teaches forgiveness and peace. The strawberry is shaped like a heart, and strawberries are known to our people as heart berries.” –Elder Lillian Pitawanakwat (15 Ceremonies and Socials eCampus Open Learning)

BLUEBERRIES - Atop each wild blueberry is the base of its earlier flower, a calyx in the shape of a five-pointed star. Legend has it that during a time of starvation, the Great Spirit sent these “star berries” down from the heavens to relieve the hunger of his children...(Wild Berries)

SASKATOON BERRY

The name Saskatoon Berry is derived from the Cree word “Mis-sask-quah-too-mina”, sounding very similar to “Saskatoon”. The city of Saskatoon was actually named after the berry.

Learn more about Edible Berries of Alberta (Northern Bushcraft)

This guide covers a number of edible berries in Alberta, including the Edmonton and Calgary areas and the Jasper, Banff, Waterton Lakes, Elk Island and Waterton Buffalo National Parks. Do not collect where prohibited.

BERRY RECIPES

How about a family day outing to pick berries!

Alberta U-Pick Farms - 2022

THEN.... TRY THESE TRADITIONAL RECIPES

Berry Soup - By South Zone Indigenous Health Program

Video CULTURE BITES | How to Make Saskatoon Berry Pie Culture Bites - an Indigenous cooking series by Indigenous Youth Wellness for Indigenous youth and families is back again to serve up contemporary and traditional recipes - to keep our mind, bodies and spirit healthy and well.

Berry Pudding RECIPE (First Nations.org) Easy berry pudding only uses berries, traditionally chokecherries or blueberries were used

BERRY ARTS & CRAFT

VIDEO How to draw & paint berries for kids

COLORING SHEETS

PRINT OR COLOR ONLINE

BERRY BOOKS, GAMES & VIDEOS

Watch Video Enoch (Animated) Berry Picking

Children’s Book Berry Song Auth Michaela Goade

Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade's first self-authored picture book is a gorgeous celebration of the land she knows well and the powerful wisdom of elders. On an island at the edge of a wide, wild sea, a girl and her grandmother gather gifts from the earth. Salmon from the stream, herring eggs from the ocean, and in the forest, a world of berries.

Picking Berries - Iinííwaahkaat! - A Conversation Game

Learn about the language and culture of the Blackfeet People while playing this game about gathering berries to feed your people. Learn: Food plant names. Included are conversation cards with phrases spelled both in Blackfeet and phonetically that allow you to converse in Blackfeet while playing the game.

For ages 9 and up, Two to Six Players

ADDITIONAL

NEW INDIGENOUS-THEMED PLAYGROUND IN CALGARY

A recently-opened playground at St. Kateri Tekakwitha School will give children in northeast Calgary the ability to play while learning about Indigenous cultures. The playground includes an eagle climbing wall, a dream catcher-shaped climbing structure, an Indigenous “I Spy” with buffalos, a teepee and a wolf, among other activities… Indigenous-themed playground opens in YYC (Page 17) By Jeremy Appel Alberta Native News June 2022 PDF

RIBBON SKIRT CALL-OUT LEARN MORE

FOR CAREGIVERS

Why Is Self-Care Especially Important For Foster Parents? (KVC) Foster parents are often natural, unselfish caregivers with many people who rely on them. As they spend all of their time and energy taking care of others, they may struggle to prioritize their own needs...

Taking Care Of Yourself: Tips For Foster And Resource Parents (Center For The Study Of Social Policy) PDF Includes articles on Resilience, Social Connections, the importance of seeking help when you need...

CULTURAL SUMMER PROGRAMS

BENT ARROW (Edmonton)

Coyote Kids Cultural Camp (July/August) kids ages 7 to 12 years.

Celebrates Indigenous culture through land-based teachings for youth. Kids have the opportunity to do arts and crafts along with field trips, stories, Guest Speakers, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Children get to do cultural practices; it is also important that they will have the chance to listen to guest speakers and Elders as a way to learn more about their roots they may have and make sure that the legacy and culture of Indigenous persons does not disappear

SUNDAY FUNDAY (Kikosewin FRN) Edmonton 1:30 – 3:00 PM First Sunday of the Month. Registration is required. Join them in your comfy PJs for a movie and snack!

Hope Group Youth Program (Kikosewin FRN) Edmonton Bi-Weekly Tues 3:30 – 5 PM Youth ages 13-17 ‘Aksistooyíípaitapissin’ is ‘the thing that motivates someone to stay alive’. Join us as we build connections, experience indigenous teachings and express! Snacks and journals provided

Around the Hub (Youth) Edmonton Mondays 4:00 – 5:30 PM Youth ages 13-17

Learn life skills, traditional crafting, and support self awareness! “Around the Hub” draws from the unique skill sets of Kikosewin’s staff, and shares these with our youth.

Tween Program (Kikosewin FRN) Edmonton ages 9-12

Twice a month programs are offered for tweens. Join in the fun and learning with recreational activities and Indigenous teachings.

ABORIGINAL FRIENDSHIP CENTER OF CALGARY

HONORING THE BONDS: PARENTING PROGRAM

Original Sound – August 24 to Sept 22

Families have the opportunity to learn traditional teachings from a variety of elders and learn with their children.

MISKANAWAH (Calgary)

Little Wonders (pdf) Calgary July 12 & 26, Aug 9 & 23 10 AM - 2 PM Ages Birth to 6 years

Little Wonders is an early literacy, music and play program designed for families and their children from birth up to age 6 years old. This program has a distinctive rhythm and energy that perfectly captures the attention of young children and reflects traditional ways of connecting spiritually, socially and emotionally.

West Tawaw Coffee and Play (pdf) Calgary ThursAug 4 & 18 10 AM – 1 PM Ages 0-10. Engage in crafting and other activities to help connect with your children and create new summer memories. Caregivers will also have the opportunity to enjoy some coffee and a light lunch and meet other caregivers looking to connect with

TIPIS & TELESCOPES Kananaskis September 23, 24 & 25 2022

Cree Knowledge Keeper, Wilfred Buck An amazing weekend of star stories, ceremony, and portable planetariums.

ELDER & KNOWLEDGE HOLDER HOURS GITZ CRAZYBOY Youth - Calgary Bi-Weekly Wed 5 PM – 8 PM This is a time where youth are able to connect with Elders, and Knowledge Holders.

ALEXIS NAKOTA SIOUX NATION

GAMUMU BIG DRUM SINGING CIRCLE Ages 12-30 Weds 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Lac Ste. Anne County

SUBMISSIONS

To Submit Resources or Events, email starrd@alignab.ca

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