CONNECTIONS - JANUARY 2023

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JANUARY 20, 2023

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SPOTLIGHT - RIBBON SKIRTS

Jan. 4, 2023 Was Canada's First National Ribbon Skirt Day

To honor this special day, we have made the Ribbon Skirt this months Spotlight!

WHAT IS A RIBBON SKIRT?

Brightly-colored ribbon skirts are a traditional piece of clothing for many Native American women, girls and two spirit people. Different color ribbons are sewn onto skirts and dresses and have a special significance to the wearer. Ribbon skirts come in different colours and hold different meanings to those who wear them and are worn at round dances, powwows and other important ceremonies, events & community gathering and as daily wear as well.

WATCH Video Tala Tootoosis

Ribbon Skirt Teachings

Today we are honoured to share some of Joanna Rose Campiou's beautiful ribbon skirts with you! Her Creations are inspired by her Nehiyaw (Cree) background to honour her role as Iskwew (woman). You can visit her at Hoop of Life Creations

HOW TO MAKE A RIBBON SKIRT

Making a Ribbon Skirt with Tala Tootoosis - YouTube

Simple Ribbon Skirt Tutorial: from start to finish! - YouTube

COLORING PAGE

My Own Ribbon Skirt pdf

Martha is wearing her ribbon skirt, which has different colours and patterns that are special to her. Use the skirt outline to draw your own ribbon skirt using colours and patterns that are special to you!

STORY READ ALOUD VIDEO

My Ribbon Skirt by Author Shelly Nelson Listen to Edmonton author Shelly Nelson read her picture book, My Ribbon Skirts. This charming book tells the story of Asini and her beautiful skirts, which represent not just a fashion statement, but a way of life.

BARBIE RIBBON SKIRTS

Breanna Deis, an Indigenous Dene artist, has been transforming Barbies with tiny handmade beadwork and ribbon skirts. She’s upcycled around three dozen dolls so far, illustrating a diversity of body types, skin tones, hair colours, and genders, with jewellery, ribbon skirts and dresses... Learn more at Lakota Times - Move over Malibu Barbie or view and or purchase Breanna Deis Barbie Ribbon Skirts

https://breannadeis.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

UofA Annual Round Dance Jan 28 4 -11 PM brings together children, friends, families, youth and Elders of our community to share stories, catch up on news, break bannock and share some tea. It is a time to honour traditions and memories of our ancestors. First Peoples' House warmly invites people of all ages to join in this annual winter tradition Learn More

Flying Canoe Volant Festival and Canoe Races 2023 Edmonton

Jan 31 – Feb 4, 2023

Indigenous, Metis and Francophone communities share their cultures! Enjoy a beautiful illuminated journey the Millcreek Ravine, where you can experience First Nations teepees, drumming and stories or continue on to experience the Metis jig, and hear stories about the Flying Canoe! Watch Video or Learn More

The Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games Jan 29 – Feb 4, 2023

From January 29 - February 4, Wood Buffalo will welcome approximately 2,100 participants, including athletes from the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, Alaska, Greenland, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), Northern Alberta...

HONOUR NATIONAL HAVE A HEART DAY FEBRUARY 14!

National Have a Heart Day is about organizing a movement that creates sustainable change in the lives of First Nations children and fills it with respect, love, and equal opportunities. It’s an annual event organized by the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada.

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

Check out these great ideas from FN Caring Society on how to honour this special day!

Make some Have a Heart Day Cookies or colour some Have a Heart Coloring Sheets. See more ideas and resources here.

No matter where you live, you can still celebrate Have a Heart Day in your own way.

RESOURCES FOR YOUTH

Animated Racism Video for Indigenous Youth from iStory Studio

An Indigenous youth who is facing racism learns through a friend about traditional knowledge and the history and impact of colonization on the Indigenous people past and present.

Watch Racism

Animated Suicide Prevention Videos for Indigenous Youth Darkness Calls in Gitxsan from iStory Studio Picked on by school bullies, misunderstood by his teacher and chastised by his parents, Kyles is about to make the choice of his life - whether to take his own life or not. With the help of Wiigyet and in spite of Watsx, it's up to Kyle to make the right choice Watch Part 1 and Part 2

Advancing Futures Bursary

Funding and supports are available for youth who have been in care, as they pursue post-secondary studies and prepare for adulthood.

DEADLINE February 1, 2023

INDIGENOUS PROGRAMS

ALEXIS NAKOTA SIOUX NATION

GAMUMU BIG

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

BENT ARROW (Edmonton)

Coyote Kids WeeklyProgram is a free weekly Aboriginal culture program for Aboriginal children or children of Aboriginal ancestry ages of 6 - 12 years. Coyote kids meets every Mon staffed by the Coyote Pride Program Coordinators and have parent volunteers, Junior Leaders or people from the community who volunteer to help with the programming and supervision. Kikosewin Family Resource offer a variety of programs throughout the year for children, youth and families. Click Here to see what is currently

offered.

EDMONTON PUBLIC LIBRARY & CNFC

Virtual Indigenous Language Classes

Nehiyawewin (Cree Language) Online Beginners Class

CLOSER TO HOME

THE FAMILY

CIRCLE - CALGARY

Wednesday mornings (10:30 – 12:00 PM)This is an opportunity to come and share, build life skills through traditional cultural teachings, meet some other participants and learn to drum and sing.

MISKANAWAH

MISKANAWAH COMMUNITY FAMILY DRUMMING CIRCLE (CALGARY) pdf

Every other Saturday 10:00 - 12:00 pm

Sept 2022 – June 2023

For families and children up to 12.

Drumming & Storytelling

TRELLIS

The Iiyika’kimaat Program (Calgary)

September through June, Monday through Thursday 4:00 - 8:00 PM 12-21 years An opportunity for youth aged 12 - 21 to reach their full potential through culturally-relevant and leadership-specific components and activities

ABORIGINAL FRIENDSHIP CENTER OF CALGARY

YOUTH & FAMILY DRUMMING (AFC CALGARY) On the 3rd Wednesday of every month, from 5:30 – 7:00 PM ages

6-17 Come together with their

parents/guardians to learn the fundamentals of the drum and to learn how to sing and drum as part of a group.

YMCA CALGARY

Indigenous Active Life

Drop-In Program

Thursdays | 7:00 - 10:00 PM Saddletowne

YMCA (Calgary) Drop in for an active night at the YMCA - for FREE! Join other youth and young adults (between the ages of 12 and 30) for court sports (such as basketball and floor hockey), swimming, cardio, resistance training and more! The Active Life program is available at the Saddletowne YMCA. The program is free, with full facility access during designated times. Grab a friend for some active, social fun.

Indigenous Drum and

Dance Mondays | 5:00 - 7:00 PM YMCA

Saddletowne Bring your family for a weekly Drum and Dance drop-in night. Learn or brush-up your skills in Pow Wow dance styles, drumming and Indigenous culture.

SUBMISSIONS

SUBMISSIONS - If you have cultural events, program, activity or resource 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

More fun ideas!

Re-visit past CONNECTIONS Editions - packed with lots of great traditional stories, videos, games, activities, recipes and more!

SEE MORE CONNECTION ISSUES HERE or SUBSCRIBE HERE