Early Years Tipi Teachings
Cultural Teachings: First Nations Protocols and Methodologies
Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre
An excellent resource that provides an overview of First Nations' ceremonial etiquette and protocols. Includes a brief teaching regarding each tipi teaching. Teachers are encouraged to share this teaching with students (vocabulary may need to be taught) and ensure all resources (storybooks, videos, etc.) reflect that teaching. If your school has purchased the resource from Muskday Cree Nation please ensure the resources you use reflect the teachings shared in that resource.
You will notice that not every storybook, resource on this page has an Indigenous worldview, but the connection to the teaching can be made through the story. If you have other storybooks that you utilize for one or more of the tipi teachings please share them with the Indigenous Perspectives Team so that they can be added to this page. This page is a work in progress.
2 Copies at the SRPSD TRC
Tipi Raising with Elder Howard Walker
Elder Howard Walker from Sturgeon Lake First Nation shares tipi teachings with students from Carlton Comprehensive High 52:46
The Tipi Teachings
Sandra Samatte
The teachings in this book align well with the Plains Cree tipi teachings shared with our division by Muskoday First Nation. The only difference are the last two poles.
All SRPSD schools who have classrooms sharing the tipi teachings on a regular basis are strongly recommended to purchase the tipi teachings resource through Muskoday First Nation Community School.
There are videos shared in this section as they are specific to each tipi teaching. John McDonald, an Educational Associate in SRPSD produced these videos as a weekly tipi teachings shared virtually with Christopher Lake Public School students while working/learning from home during the Spring of 2020. We are grateful that John gave us permission to share these videos so they may reach many classrooms and support tipi teachings in multiple schools. John identifies as a Nehiyaw/Métis who is a band member of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. He is a published author and considers himself Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher. He learned these teachings from traditional Elders who are now in the Spirit World. John passes on these traditional teachings so that their knowledge will not be lost, but will be shared. Tobacco protocol was presented to John by CLPS principal at that time, Dejan Letkeman before the recording of these teachings.
1.Obedience
A Promise Is A Promise
Robert Munsch
link includes an audio download
Obedience Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
Be a Good Ancestor
Leona Prince & Gabrielle Prince
2. Respect
The Story of Respect
From the set of 7 Teachings Books
Set available at the SRPSD TRC
Grandfather, tell us about the seven teaching gift of Respect
From the set of Grandfather Books
OUT OF PRINT
Set available at the SRPSD TRC
When We Are Kind
Monique Gray Smith
Kode's Quest(ion): A Story of Respect
Katherena Vermette
From Seven Teachings Stories Series (also has a Teacher's Guide)
Both available at the SRPSD TRC
The Elders are Watching
David Bouchard
More appropriate for grades 4 - 8
Respect Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
3. Humility
The Story of Humility
From the set of 7 Teachings Books
Set available at the SRPSD TRC
Grandfather, tell us about the seven teaching gift of Humility
From the set of Grandfather Books
OUT OF PRINT
Set available at the SRPSD TRC
The Skin I'm In
Pat Thomas
Singing Sisters: A Story of Humility
Katherena Vermette
From Seven Teachings Stories Series (also has a Teacher's Guide)
Both available at the SRPSD TRC
Humility Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
4. Happiness
Happiness Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
5. Love
The Story of Love
From the set of 7 Teachings Books
Set available at the SRPSD TRC
Grandfather, tell us about the seven teaching gift of Love
From the set of Grandfather Books
OUT OF PRINT
Set available at the SRPSD TRC
You Hold Me Up
Monique Gray Smith
Class set available at the SRPSD TRC
The Just Right Gift: A Story of Love
Katherena Vermette
From Seven Teachings Stories Series (also has a Teacher's Guide)
Both available at the SRPSD TRC
Love Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
I AM Love: A Book of Compassion
Susan Verde
Kohkum's Kitchen
Mark Thunderchild
(late Vic Thunderchild's nephew)
6. Faith
Faith Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
7. Kinship
Kinship Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
On the Trapline
David A. Robertson
8. Cleanliness
Taking Care of Mother Earth
Leanne Flett Kruger
Cleanliness Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
Sweetgrass
Theresa Meuse
9. Thankfulness
Circle of Thanks
Susi Gregg Fowler
Thankfulness Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
Grandfather's Reminder
Alberta-Rose Bear & Kathleen O'Reilly
Giving Thanks
Leah Marie Dorion
10. Sharing
The Circle of Caring and Sharing
Theresa "Corky" Larsen-Jonasson
Shortened version of The Sharing Circle
The Sharing Circle
Theresa "Corky" Larsen-Jonasson
Sharing Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
11. Strength
The Story of Courage
From the set of 7 Teach
Set available at the SRPSD TRC
Grandfather, tell us about the seven teaching gift of Courage
From the set of Grandfather Books
OUT OF PRINT
Set available at the SRPSD TRC
The First Day: A Story of Courage
Katherena Vermette
From Seven Teachings Stories Series (also has a Teacher's Guide)
Both available at the SRPSD TRC
Strength Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
12. Good Child Rearing
I Sang You Down From the Stars
Tasha Spillett-Sumner
Good Child Rearing Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
We Sang You Home
Richard Van Camp
You're Just Right
Victor Lethbridge
13. Hope
Hope Is An Open Heart
Lauren Thompson
Hope Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
nipakoseyimon: I Hope
Monique Gray Smith
In Plains Cree & English - translated into Plains Cree by Dolores Greyeyes Sand
14. Ultimate Protection
Ultimate Protection Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher
15. Control Flaps
Control Flaps Teaching Video
John McDonald - Nehiyaw/Métis - Okiskinwahamakew, a teacher