Friday, February 26, 2016

Native American artist tackles hero icons

Jeffrey Veregge: Art, Design and Mischief


"My origins are not supernatural, nor have they been enhanced by radioactive spiders. I am simply a Native American artist and writer whose creative mantra in best summed up with a word from my tribe's own language as: "taʔčaʔx̣ʷéʔtəŋ", which means "get into trouble".  A member of the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, I was raised and spent a majority of my life on our reservation known locally as Little Boston, which is located near Kingston, Washington. Although I am enrolled there, I am also both of Suquamish and Duwamish tribal ancestry."

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Friday, February 5, 2016

American Indian Youth Literature Award

Books that feature FNMI writing and illustrating



Although these titles often fit an American context more than a Canadian one, there are some good titles to explore. (The 2016 list is here.)

"The American Indian Youth Literature Awards are presented every two years. The awards were established as a way to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians. Books selected to receive the award will present American Indians in the fullness of their humanity in the present and past contexts."

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Thursday, February 4, 2016

Micmac News - Beaton Institute Digital Archives

An important example of Mi'kmaw print culture
"The Micmac News (1965-1991) is an important example of Mi'kmaw print culture... This invaluable research tool covers historical and contemporary issues and events, including Aboriginal rights cases, social and labour history, material and intangible culture, and celebrations of Mi'kmaw life. The newspaper provides a means of language preservation; prayers and myths were printed in the paper, and simple language lessons in Mi'kmaq were also a regular feature."

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Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Mi'kmaq artifacts at MOA

Images from L'nuk culture




Beautiful photographs of Mi'kmaq artifacts online at the BC Museum of Anthropology. View close-ups to explore the colours and designs.

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Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Bannock: A brief history

Light, fluffy and golden brown - delicious!
"The Inuit call it 'palauga,' it's 'luskinikn' to the Mi'kmaq, while the Ojibway call it 'ba`wezhiganag.' Whatever they call it... just about every indigenous nation across North America has some version of bannock. ... Nancy Turner, a professor ... at the University of Victoria, says indigenous people already had their own version made from a wild plant called camas. The camas bulb would have been baked for long periods of time, dried and then flattened or chopped and formed into cakes and loaves, similar to modern bannock."

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Monday, February 1, 2016

17 Ways to Promote Culturally Aware Classrooms

Include and preserve FNMI cultures in our classrooms
"First Nations, Metis & Inuit peoples are THE fastest growing populations in Canada! This has many implications for our Education systems. The FNMI peoples are also incredibly diverse, both linguistically and culturally. There are literally hundreds of different First Nations and Aboriginal populations, therefore, we as Educators are faced with many challenges with regards to how we can adequately include and preserve these cultures in our classrooms."

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Wednesday, January 13, 2016

30 Indigenous Leaders - The Canadian Encyclopedia

From activists to politicians to artists and more
"Many Aboriginal leaders have influenced Canadian history, both before and since Confederation. From activists to politicians to artists and more, Aboriginal peoples have protected and promoted their heritage, asserted Aboriginal rights and inspired change. [Here] is a list of 30 Indigenous leaders that the Encyclopedia has generated to help celebrate its 30th anniversary."

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Canada’s new national font was designed to include aboriginal languages

A new inclusive "unified typeface"
"For the first time in its history, Canada has created a new "unified typeface" to represent not only its two official languages (French and English) but also its aboriginal languages. An angular sans serif font designed by Canadian type designer Raymond Larabie has been updated to be a little more inclusive."

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Monday, January 11, 2016

Learn Mi'gmaq online

How to describe yourself and your relations
"This lesson will teach you the basics of how to describe yourself and your relations. You will learn how to describe yourself, your family, your home, and your work to others. These are important skills to learn at the beginning, because once you have mastered these basics, you will be able to begin conversations and introduce yourself to other Mi'gmaq speakers when you meet them."


Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Learning from Knowledge Keepers of Mi’kma’ki | Cape Breton University

Exploring Our Roots and History
"Join ... Stephen Augustine, Dean of Unama'ki College and Aboriginal Learning and Hereditary Chief on the Mi'kmaq Grand Council, for this exciting introduction to Mi'kmaq history, culture, and ways of knowing, while learning about the meaning and context of Treaties and answer the calls from the Truth & Reconciliation Commission."

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