DECEMBER 21 - THE WINTER SOLSTICE

The winter solstice (December 21/22) is the point at which the sun is farthest from the equator; thus, it is the darkest and shortest day of the year. 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. Many months of cold weather still remained before the spring thaw, but they realized that the return of the warm season was inevitable.

European settlers brought Christmas and New Year’s traditions to Turtle Island and these, of course, are the festivities that most North Americans observe today. Since they also fall around the time of the winter solstice, it is the perfect time of year to reflect on times past and look forward to the “new sun” of the future. 

Listen to Elder Wilfred Buck explain how the Cree observe the shortest day of the year!

Audio - Cree Elder Wilfred Buck talks about

Winter Solstice

Acknowledging the Winter Solstice is a Decolonial Act for Indigenous People by Sarah Sunshine Manning

The winter solstice is an opportunity for Indigenous people to reconnect to the natural world, sharpen our senses, and access our most powerful selves. Here are 14 different ways that you and your loved ones can spend the winter solstice in observance of a natural phenomena that comes only once a year. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at ALIGN to you and yours

Read Aloud - The Give-Away by Ray Buckley

The Native American tradition of the give-away takes a new form in this engaging dialogue between the Whooping Crane, the Snow Goose, Old, Grandmother Turtle, the Wind, the Ancient One, and the Creator as well as others. Children of all ages will learn that giving is more than just gifting; it is denying oneself so that another may have a better way.

MISSED IT? November's CONNECTIONS has some great Indigenous Christmas stories and gift ideas!

MISSED IT? NO PROBLEM - YOU CAN STILL OPEN ALL THE DOORS BUT DON'T PEAK AHEAD!

CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW

If you haven't attended a powwow before, learn more about what to expect and what is expected from guests who attend in our June 2022 Edition of CONNECTIONS.

If you're finding the kids (or you!) have some free time this holiday on those "oh so cold days," check out ALIGN's Indigenous Online Jigsaw Puzzles

Great for all ages and skill levels!

More fun ideas!

This a great time to re-visit past CONNECTIONS Editions - packed with lots of great traditional stories, videos, games, activities, recipes and more!

FOSTER CARE & THE HOLIDAYS

By: Dr. John N. DeGarmo, Ed.D.

Along with this, foster children also struggle with trying to remain loyal to their birth parents while enjoying the holiday season with their foster family. There are those moments when a child from foster care may feel guilty for experiencing joy and laughter with their foster family; they may feel that they are not only letting their birth mother or father down, they might even be betraying their birth parents and member of their biological family, causing even more grief, guilt, and anxiety within the child during this season of holiday joy. Indeed, this can be a very emotionally stressful time for all involved. As one who has fostered many children, myself, during the holiday time, I have found that it is important to address these issues beforehand. Before Thanksgiving, before Christmas, before Hanukah, even before family members and friends come to visit, foster parents need to prepare their foster child ahead of time...

5 Ways To Have A Trauma-Informed Christmas

by Lisa Cherry

If you have a foster child or an adopted child, large family gatherings can be the most terrifying event ever (62% of children enter care because they have been abused or neglected.) I remember going to someones Christmas do (they were one of 8), and after 20 minutes, I ran out of the house crying. I was 25 years old! There could be all sorts of reasons for a reaction of this strength in your child (or clearly in an adult); if they have had a bad experience of adults, new adults will have to be introduced slowly, not at an intense Christmas Day dinner where expectations are through the roof! Or maybe they have never seen anything like that before. A large group of adults in one place could signify a whole heap of horrors! Go slowly and let them guide you. And remember, if they are living away from their families, they could feel so many confusing feelings such as guilt, shame, sadness, loss or betrayal.

CTR Giving & Receiving Healing 7-Hour Self-Paced Course

Foster parents and other caregivers give from the bottom of their hearts. Often this isn't enough. Complex trauma changes the child’s brain and nervous system (and thus all development). In this course, you'll learn how to create an environment of nurturing experiences for these children to heal.

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