SUBSCRIBE HERE

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL FROM

ALIGN ASSOCIATION!

Excerpt from Winter Solstice: A Time for Renewal (MFNERC) For thousands of years, Indigenous people noted the changing of the seasons and to acknowledge these cycles, they celebrated through ceremony. With the passing of the winter solstice and the rising of the sun in the noon sky, First Nations people had reason to celebrate as they saw the sun strengthening once more

Watch Video

What the winter solstice means in the Cree tradition | Ask an Elder (CBC)

Elder Wildfred Buck explains how the Cree observe the shortest day of the year.

Children's Book

Winter's Gift

A vibrantly illustrated children’s book about an Indigenous girl who finds awe in the resting and waiting that winter teaches us and shares with her friends how Creator’s gift of gratitude can transform the way we see the world.

• Drift Clearing Moon (Cree)

• Frost Exploding Trees Moon (Cree)

• Hoar Frost Moon (Cree)

• Little Spirit Moon (Anishinaabe)

• Long Night Moon (Mohican)

• Mid-winter Moon (Lakota, Northern Ojibwe)

• Moon of the Popping Trees (Oglala)

• Moon When the Deer Shed Their Antlers (Dakota)

• Snow Moon (Haida, Cherokee)

Learn More About Traditional Moon Names from ALMANAC

15 Brand New Moon FREE COLORING PAGES from iHeartcraftythings

If you haven't started yet there's still time to catch up! A great way to learn about Indigenous language and traditions at Christmas time

An Indigenous take on holiday appetizers and side dishes (CTV): Chef Bill Alexander shares recipes for festive appetizers and sides using Indigenous ingredients.

CBC Recipe - New Years Recipe Métis Boulettes (CBC):

A nourishing meatball soup perfect for this time of year! See recipe and story behind this Métis New Year's Day tradition.

"The voices of youth and young adults matter and that's why Children and Family Services is looking for youth and young adults in government care, or who have been in care, to help improve the the Child Intervention system and shape positive change so services can be better delivered to young Albertans.

Members of the Youth Advisory Task Force will have the opportunity to promote awareness and advocate for the continued needs of children, youth and young adults in and from care."

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS JANUARY 19TH!

To apply, or to learn more about eligibility, visit:

https://www.alberta.ca/youth-advisory-task-force

Children’s Services Provincial Caregiver Training NEW Kinship Training

KINSHIP TRAINING

• Foundations of Caregiver Support (FCSC)
• Kinship Orientation Training
• Safe Babies

The Provincial Caregiver Training Team provides caregivers with training that aligns with current research, legislation, policy, Indigenous worldviews and practices such as the Practice Framework, Signs of Safety, and trauma-informed approaches. Caregiver training includes both self-directed learning through Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education (PRIDE) and Alberta-specific courses which are virtually facilitated. See All Course and Resources Here

ALIGN’s 16th Annual Conference Strengthening Today; Building Tomorrow Jan 25 -26, 2024, Edmonton has become a key event in our calendar, both literally and figuratively. Figuratively, in that it is a part of our identity as an Association. This is particularly so given the theme of our Conference, “Strengthening Today, Building Tomorrow.” What this means is that we are present and future focused, and that we possess both strengths, and a vision for the future, just like our kids and families. We have another exceptional lineup of presenters who will stimulate our learning and our ability to help children and families. REGISTER NOW!

SUBMISSIONS - If you have cultural events, programs, activities or resources that you'd like to share or if you'd like to suggest newsletter content ideas or things you'd like to see more of, please send an email to starrd@alignab.ca

Subject Line - CONNECTIONS SUBMISSION

SEE MORE CONNECTION ISSUES HERE or SUBSCRIBE HERE