MANIDOO GIIZIS(Spirit Moon)
January 2024
ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES
Program Past Month in Review
Behneh (Sosoni)! Boozhoo (Anishinaabemowin)!
Like many other Indigenous communities, we gathered for storytelling in December. We pass on cultural knowledge, tradition, and life lessons through storytelling. Our program was happy to be a part of this traditional practice with the next generation. Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa, Culture Manager, Aaron Chivis visited West Middle School during advisory to share Anishinaabe stories in addition to an evening event as part of the monthly Anishinaabe Expressive Culture Series. Students at East Middle School watched the series of the 7 Sacred Laws (featured in our December newsletter) and enjoyed popcorn during their cultural connect.
Also in December…
Indigenous Education elementary students started working with Cheyenne Kiogima, an Indigenous Education Teaching Instructional Assistant, to develop an Anishinaabemowin game. I'm excited to see the finished product and play it with the kids!
Traverse City High School is preparing an Indigenous Did You Know program to roll out in January. The project will increase awareness of the history and contributions of Indigenous people.
During West Senior High’s club meetings, they had a check in through a rose, thorn, bud activity and made bracelets. Most recently for Winter Solstice they connected over food and listened to how the 7 Grandfather Teachings and The Seven Circles Indigenous Teachings for Living Well, Sacred Space (Seven Circles Enhancement pp 19-21) can help them in developing their self-care plan to promote self-wellness.
TCAPS Indigenous Education program utilizes the Grandfather Teachings and The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well, in our program to guide programming with students and the community for a cultural and holistic approach to supporting students. In addition, we seek your feedback for guidance in our services. Earlier this school year we sought out survey responses from parents and families. We prepared a Google Slide with responses for your review. Results will also be available at our next Indigenous Education Parent Committee meeting on February 12, 2024. Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.
Lastly, Our office will be closed during the winter break, we will return on January 3, 2024. Happy Holidays and we wish you and your loved ones wellness in this new calendar year.
Miigwech /Oose/Peshaiyu,
Summer Baldwin
Office: (231) 933-5897
Call/text: (231) 499-2421
email: baldwinsu@tcaps.net
P.s. The January newsletter is arriving sooner to provide students and families with a reading list for winter break.
ANISHINAABE EXPRESSIVE CULTURE SERIES
Date: Thursday, January 11, 2024
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Traverse City High School - MAC room (park towards the back of the school, a sign will be posted outside of the door)
Additional Information:
Round dance history and teachings will be shared by Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Culture Manager, Aaron Chivis.
Time permitting, be prepared to join in on dancing to a song or two.
A light meal will be provided. The recipe is sourced from the Oneida Nation's cookbook: A Collection of Diabetes-Friendly Recipes. Additional recipes will be available on-site to promote health.
This month's event touches on each circle of The Seven Circles of Wellness: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well. The seven circles are food, sleep, movement, ceremony, sacred space, land, and community.
All Anishinaabe Expressive Culture Series events are free and all are welcome to attend. We look forward to being in community with you!
If you have any questions please contact us!
phone: (231) 933-5897
text: (231)499-2421
email: baldwinsu@tcaps.net
Please feel free to share the event with family and friends!
Download letter size flyer
Download 1x1 size flyer
Opportunities
Volunteers Wanted!
The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa is seeking volunteers for their annual Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabek Maawnjidown - Round Dance on February 3, 2024.
Help is needed with set up, clean up, hall monitors (Security), servers, raffles, and fire keepers.
Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024
Contact: gtbgovt.round-dance@gtb-nsn.gov
Juniors and Seniors planning on going to college this is a great cultural volunteer
opportunity to include on your scholarship and college applications.
Young Tribal Leaders Art Contest
The BIA Division of Environmental Services and Cultural Resource Management is hosting a young tribal leaders art contest! Winning submissions will be featured in an online gallery. Awardees will also receive funding to share their work at the 2024 National Tribal and Indigenous Climate Conference!
Eligibility: Tribal citizens ages 14-30 years old
Themes: culture, environment, and climate
Deadline: Saturday, January 6, 2024
For more information and to apply: bia.gov/service/art-contest
Winners will be announced in February 2024.
National Weather Service WaterAware Junior Tribal Hydrologist Program
Students ages 12+ who are interested in receiving a certificate as a "Junior Tribal Hydrologist", will need to complete 4 one-hour sessions within a 6-month period.
1st session is River Basics and Water Cycle presentations and activities.
2nd session will concentrate on Floods and Flood Safety.
3rd session can be chosen from the list of topics below.
4th and final session will cover river forecasting and will include Hydro Hotseat simulation where the students become the river forecaster.
3rd Session Topics:
Flash flooding
River navigation (ship traffic) and economic impacts
Probabilistic river forecasting - using data ensembles
Drought (will be available in January)
Water Supply (will be available in January)
Students are asked to gather any Indigenous Knowledge about water/rivers from their Native community prior to the 3rd session. Their information is incorporated into presentations. That is the only outside assignment for the program.
NOAA Grant and Education Opportunities website.
COMMUNITY
Community Events & Gatherings
New Year's Eve Celebrations 🎉
New Year's Eve Sobriety Pow Wow at Kellogg Arena, Battle Creek, MI on December 31st. Doors open at 4:00 pm.
Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Nimkodaading Jiingtamok New Year's Sobriety Pow-wow at Big Bear Arena, Sault Ste. Marie, MI from 3:00 pm to 1:00 am.
Other Events & Gatherings in January:
Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays in January: Youth Music Lessons - Presented by Heritage Library from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Heritage Library and online via Zoom.
Saturdays in January: Kids/Family Wing Chung Kung Fu! (Ages: 4-75) at the Strongheart Center from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.
Wednesday-Thursday, January 10-11: Nenaandawe'iwejig Traditional Healing at the GTB 3 Mile Office, 845 Business Park Drive, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Thursday, January 11: Anishinaabe Expressive Culture Series - Learn About Round Dance at Traverse City High School MAC from 6 pm to 7 pm. Details are provided above in this newsletter.
Tuesday, January 16: Origami Workshop from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at GTB 3 Mile Office, 845 Business Park Drive.
Saturday, January 20: Kche' Mko Gises Wawyégawen - Big Bear Moon Round Dance starting at Wayland Union High School in Wayland, MI, starting at 5:00 pm.
Saturday, January 27: Anishnaabeg Winter Games at the Strongheart Center in Peshawbestown from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Saturday, January 27: Central Michigan University North American Indigenous Student Organization Round Dance at the Bovee University Center Rotunda in Mount Pleasant, MI. Starting at 5:00 pm
All events listed above are free and open to the public.
Local/Regional Tribal Event Calendars:
The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa events website
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians event website
Little River Band of Ottawa Indians event website
LEISURE
Reads
This month's list is sourced from American Indians in Children's Literature 2023 Year in Review
The list is lengthy, we are providing a few from each topic area they selected, click here, to view the full list.
Comics and Graphic Novels
Van Sciver, Noah (not Native), Paul Bunyan: The Invention of an American Legend includes an introduction by Lee Francis (Pueblo of Laguna), stories and art by Marlena Myles (enrolled Spirit Lake Dakota), and a postscript by Deondre Smiles (citizen of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe). Toon Graphics (2023). US.
vermette, katherena (Red River Métis), A Girl Called Echo Omnibus, illustrated by Scott Henderson (not Native) and Donovan Yaciuk (not Native). Highwater Press (2023). Canada.
Board Books
Taos Pueblo Winter, illustrated by Leonard Archuleta (Taos). Seventh Generation. US.
Taos Pueblo Spring, illustrated by Frank Rain Leaf (Taos). Seventh Generation. US.
Taos Pueblo Summer, illustrated by Janell Lujan (Taos). Seventh Generation. US.
Taos Pueblo Fall, illustrated by Deanna Autumn Leaf Suazo (Taos). Seventh Generation. US
Picture Books
Barrett, Elizabeth S. (Red Lake Ojibwe). Mashkiki Road: The Seven Grandfather Teachings, illustrated by Jonathan Thunder (Red Lake Ojibwe). Minnesota Historical Society Press (2022). US.
Bunten, Alexis (Unangan and Yup'ik). What Your Ribbon Skirt Means to Me, illustrated by Nicole Neidhardt (Diné of the Kiiyaa'áanii Clan). Christy Ottaviano Books (2023). US.
Cooper, Nancy (member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation), Biindigen! Amik Says Welcome, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Ojibwe, member of Wasauksing First Nation). Owl Kids (2023). Canada.
Early Chapter Books
Buckley, Patricia Morris (Mohawk). The First Woman Cherokee Chief: Wilma Pearl Mankiller, illustrated by Aphelandra (Filipino and Oneida ancestry). Random House Books for Young Readers (2023). US.
Goodluck, Laurel (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Tsimshian). She Persisted: Deb Haaland, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger (not Native) and Gillian Flint (not Native). Philomel Books (2023). US.
Quigley, Dawn (enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe). Jo Jo Makoons: Fancy Pants, illustrated by Tara Audibert (Wolatoqiyik). Heartdrum (2022). US.
Quigley, Dawn (enrolled citizen of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe). Jo Jo Makoons: Snow Day, illustrated by Tara Audibert (Wolatoqiyik). Heartdrum (2023). US.
For Middle Grades
Anselmo, Anthony (Sault Ste Marie Band of Ojibwe), The Spirit of the North Wind. Black Bears and Blueberries (2023). US.
Hopson, Nasugraq Rainey (tribally enrolled Inupiat). Eagle Drums. Roaring Brook Press (2023). US.
John-Kehewin, Wanda (Cree), Hopeless in Hope. Portage and Main/Highwater Press (2023). Canada.
For High School
Boulley, Angeline (enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), Warrior Girl Unearthed. Cover art by Michaela Goade (enrolled member of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska).
Dimaline, Cherie (Metis Nation of Ontario), Funeral Songs for Dying Girls. Tundra Books (2023). Canada.
Graves, Byron (enrolled member of the Red Lake band of Ojibwe), Rez Ball. Cover illustration by Natasha Donovan. Heartdrum (2023). US.
Crossover Books (written for adults; appeal to teens/young adults)
Blackhawk, Ned (Western Shoshone), The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of US History. Yale University Press (2023). US.
Powers, Susan. A Council of Dolls. Harper Collins (2023). US.
Rule, Elizabeth. Indigenous DC: Native Peoples and the Nation's Capital. Georgetown University Press (2023). US.
We are still collecting your book recommendations! Keep them coming.
Our friends at Traverse City Area District Library composed a list of staff picks in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. Miigwech for sharing your catalog of selections with us!
They mentioned they would also like to do a book recommendation list from students in the Indigenous Education Program! Please take a moment to complete this short submission form.
Anishinaabemowin: Aambee Gaataagwaa’owda - Let’s Round Dance
Traverse City Area Public Schools Indigenous Education
231.933.5897 (office)
231.499.2421 (cell)
Indigenous Education Office
Traverse City High School
3962 Three Mile Road North
Traverse City, MI 49686
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