APRIL, 2023

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This edition of CONNECTIONS includes upcoming events, programs and resources for Indigenous, Metis and Inuit children, youth and their caregivers. Each month we also feature a topic that enhances awareness of culture and traditions, and this month, our SPOTLIGHT

re-visits the SEVEN SACRED TEACHINGS

We hope you'll agree that we could all make a better world for ourselves and others by applying these seven principles to our daily lives. We encourage you to learn more about the seven teachings along with the kids and youth in your care.

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The following are excerpt are from Southern First Nations Network of Care - to view full description or learn more click on the images below.

ANIMATED VIDEO SERIES

These creative animated teachings offer an amazing opportunity to learn so much - make it a family event and watch and learn together!

The Seven Sacred Laws is a colourful and imaginative animated web series that follows a young boy on a vision quest, where he learns valuable lessons from seven sacred animals.

Episode 1: The Creation Story | The Seven Sacred Laws

Episode 2: Buffalo (Respect) | The Seven Sacred Laws

Episode 3: Eagle (Love) | The Seven Sacred Laws

Episode 4: Bear (Courage) | The Seven Sacred Laws

Episode 5: Sabe (Honesty) | The Seven Sacred Laws

Episode 6: Beaver (Wisdom) | The Seven Sacred Laws

Episode 7: Wolf (Humility) | The Seven Sacred Laws

Episode 8: Turtle (Truth) | The Seven Sacred Laws

STORY BOOK & READ A-LOUD

STORY BOOK

A Story of the Seven Sacred Laws by Dave Courchene

A young boy receives teachings from the Grandfather Animals, who say how to walk on Mother Earth by following the Seven Sacred Laws.

READ ALOUD VIDEO

A Reading of the 7 Sacred Teachings

A reading of "The Story of The Seven Sacred Teaching Animals" by Kirt Bobbie and illistrated by Eric Peters.

CAREGIVER RESOURCES

The Government of Canada At-Home Learning It’s never been easier to learn more about the Indigenous Peoples of Canada from the comfort of your own home and to have fun doing it. The Government of Canada has created an extensive learning and activity guide filled with stories and games that will help you and your family learn more about Indigenous cultures from across the country.

NEW CS Caregiver Training - Caring for Indigenous Children and Youth Self-directed eLearning for Caregivers This training was originally designed for those considering becoming a caregiver. While some of the reflection exercises may not apply to experienced caregivers, the information within this training is applicable and beneficial to all caregivers and is considered equivalent to the Colonization, Historic Trauma and Healing module. This self-directed eLearning is divided into 13 sections which may be completed at your own pace. It will take approximately 3 hours in total to complete this eLearning.. Learn More (To see all Provincial CS Caregiver Training, Click Here)

See more Kinship Care and Foster Care Resources

YOUTH RESOURCES

Zine & HEARD is a monthly zine dedicated to amplifying the voices of youth in care, raising awareness through stories, art, poetry, photography, music and their hearts & souls. Youth in care live uncommon lives that require uncommon valour to navigate & survive. They'd love to hear from you! Submit Here

New Tribe Magazine

New Tribe Online Magazines are available online, and special editions are printed and distributed throughout Treaty 7. The goal of New Tribe Magazine is to be an outlet for the Indigenous youth voice while promoting a positive outlook on Indigenous people living in urban settings. The magazine strongly promotes information sharing and awareness building activities as a core foundational component. Each issue published aims to provide Indigenous youth stories, artwork, fiction, poetry and journalism to focus on providing opportunity to showcase the strength and vibrancy of Indigenous youth.

UPCOMING

Bear Witness Day May 10, 2023

May 10 is Spirit Bear’s birthday and an important date in the history of Jordan’s Principle at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Read or watch Spirit Bear and Children Make History to learn why Jordan’s Principle is important. Visit First Nations Child & Family Caring Society to LEARN MORE!

Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams Celebrated in May and June, Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams invites people of all ages to plant heart gardens in memory of children lost to the residential school system, to honour residential school survivors and their families, and support the legacy of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Whether you are an individual, a group, or an organization, anyone can plant a heart garden to show their commitment to reconciliation. Check out the heart garden gallery for inspiration, or see below for some frequently asked questions. Don't forget to take pictures of your heart garden and share them on social media using #HeartGarden and #HonouringMemoriesPlantingDreams.

LEARN MORE HERE

Spirit Bear Award

For demonstrated commitment by a group of young people to reconciliation and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Deadline April 30, 2023

Jordan's Principle Scholarship

For First Nations students studying children's health or children with disabilities.Deadline: April 30, 2023

"Honoring our Matriarchs' Mothers Day craft Market

May 13 – 14, 2023

Kerby Center Gymnasium 1133 7 Ave SW CALGARY $6.66

AFKA's Kids Art Contest for ages 2 -17! Deadline May 1, 2023

Honoring the Bonds: Parenting Program (Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary)

Honoring the Bonds respects traditional parenting practices and integrates Western approaches to early childhood development. Families have the opportunity to learn traditional teachings from a variety of elders and learn with their children. This program encourages nurturing relationships, development and education. Honoring the Bonds inspire families to increase their motivation to learn. Starting May 2023

CHILD/YOUTH PROGRAMS

Miskanawah Diamond Willow Youth Lodge: Virtual Events Diamond Willow Youth Lodge (DWYL) offers a welcoming gathering place for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous youth aged 12-29 to connect with peers, participate in their own sense of healing and well-being, and access a variety of culturally relevant and non-culturally specific supports and programs. To stay up-to-date, find them on Facebook and Instagram @diamondwillowyouthlodge for more information! Reach out if you have any questions.

diamondwillow@miskanawah.ca

MISKANAWAH Strengthening Home Fires Miskanawah currently offers a range of land-based activities to children, youth and families at our Wahkotiwin-Home Fire. Miskanawah’s land-based ceremonies and activities focus on protecting the smudge, healing the spirit and building relatives by engaging with traditional languages, songs, stories, and teachings within the natural surroundings of Mother Earth.

BENT ARROW (Edmonton)

Coyote Kids Weekly Program 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.

EPL & 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

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

ALEXIS NAKOTA SIOUX NATION

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

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 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.

Bent Arrow Working Warriors

Is a program designed for youth aged 16 - 24. You're in the right place if you're seeking work experience, life skills, and educational support. The project was developed to provide employment opportunities and community reintegration to multi-barriered, unemployed or underemployed youth

MISKANAWAH Family Programs Tawaw Family Resource Networks (Calgary) Tawaw (Ta-wow): "welcome, we've made space for you here" in Cree The Tawaw Family Resource Networks (East and West Calgary) use a hub-and-spoke model of service delivery to offer a range of early intervention and prevention services that are grounded in Indigenous cultures and teachings.

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

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

SEE MORE CONNECTION ISSUES HERE or SUBSCRIBE HERE