Ashley Callingbull is a 25 year old Cree woman from the Enoch Cree Nation in the province of Alberta. She is very devoted to her culture and people, and takes pride in her Cree heritage, and has shown this through her volunteer work with community elders and First Nations youth. Ashley’s interest in acting led her to starring in a commercial for The Hudson Bay, and has appeared in television mini-series, acted in countless stage performances and has lent her voice for cartoons. She appears in Blackstone, a television show that airs on APTN, Showcase and on Maori Television in New Zealand. Ashley was also featured for her acting work on CBC’s 8th Fire Series. Ashley truly believes that education is the basis of all her success. At the age of 16, Ashley graduated from High School and is continuing with her University studies to pursue her Bachelor of Arts degree focusing on drama and acting/television. Ashley hopes to provide inspiration to other young First Nations Youth. Since Ashley’s achievement in the Miss Universe Canada 2010 Pageant; she continues to be a motivational speaker and role model for many educational institutions, workshops, conferences and award ceremonies around the globe. Ashley got the chance to speak at Harvard University, Boston as the keynote speaker for an All Ivy Native Council, TED Talks and at WE DAY. Because of Ashley’s hard work and charity work she received the Role Model Award at the Dreamcatcher Gala in Calgary 2011. Ashley also received the Top 20 Under 30 Award in Canada in the fall of 2012. Recently, Ashley made history as the first First Nations woman and the first Canadian to win the Mrs. Universe competition when she was crowned in Belarus.

Hi my name is Stephan Borau. Born and raised out west in Edmonton, I am French and German and have some Métis ancestry. I am a black belt in Okichitaw Indigenous Martial Arts. Okichitaw is a unique, powerful, practical martial art that embodies the spirit of the Plains Cree warrior. Traditional and historical knowledge of fighting tactics and techniques has been reclaimed and structured into a modern martial arts system. The word Okichitaw is based on the Plains Cree okihtcitawak, an honorific bestowed on a young man who had proved himself brave in battle or in hunting. It is a light contact martial art – no sparring and no safety equipment needed, and it’s good for children, youth, adults and families. Learn more at http://www.nativemartialarts.ca/.

The Aboriginal Family Network evenings are devoted to the culture, history and perspectives of the many nations found on

Turtle Island. Every session will have a focus based on our theme Proud to Be! Tonight our guest speaker is OKICHITAW

instructor Stephan Borau. We hope you can join us for this 10 session series. The newsletter is filled with activities, games,

songs and recipes that you can do at home with your children.

On Wednesday nights (7:00-8:00), at the Oshawa Community Health Centre, I teach Okichitaw to Aboriginal children and youth, ages 6-15. If you self-identify as Inuit, Métis or First Nations then you are welcome to participate (no fees and your uniform is included). Contact the OCHC to find out more. http://www.ochc.ca/services/aboriginal-initiatives. This session for DDSB Aboriginal Family Night will be hands-on learning for younger ones and older ones. We will get a little exercise in, learn a few techniques and practical applications, play some traditional games for building strength and agility, and learn a bit about western Cree culture and values. Come and join us for a taste of Okichitaw Martial Arts!

Source: http://missuniversecanada.ca/2013-national-finalists/ashley-callingbull/

Makes 5-6 servings Courtesy of Nancy’s Grandmother

Instructions

Heat the butter in a saucepan. Add sliced up leeks, carrots and potato and fry until softened (5 minutes).

Pour over the stock and add salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer until the vegetables are soft 20-45 minutes. Let it cool and blend until smooth (you can use a hand mixer or blender).

Reheat and serve with your favourite bread or bannock.

Vern Harper is a Plains-Cree spiritual Elder who currently works daily as a spiritual mentor and counselor throughout Canada. He is a highly recognized and respected Military Veteran (Korean War). His Cree name, Asin, means “Stone.” The “Urban Elder” as he has been called, is a 5th generation grandson of Mistawasis, “Big Child” – a hereditary Chief – and the 6th generation grandson of Big Bear, who fought the last battle between the Cree and the Canadian government in 1885. His life is an interesting blend of the traditional and the modern. He is a strong leader and remains deeply connected to Okichitaw Martial Arts and the spiritual beliefs and traditions of Native culture.

Sources: http://www.nativemartialarts.ca/?page_id=110

http://dodemkanonhsa.ca/portfolio/verne-harper/

Did you know? Disposable Diapers were invented by

Indigenous people!

Sphagnum moss that grows in swamps and other wet

areas can absorb a large amount of liquid. Eastern

Woodland peoples use sphagnum as disposable

diapers for babies. During the two world wars people

used sphagnum for dressings for wounds as it

absorbed liquids.

Source: A Native American Thought of It.

Richmondhill: annick press.Landon, R., & Macdonald,

D. (2008).

Ingredients

2 tbsp. butter

6-8 medium sized carrots

2 large leeks, cleaned and cut into ½

inch pieces (leave the tough green

parts behind)

6-8 cups beef stock

1 big russet potato

salt and pepper to taste

Sweet Water Drumming Songs http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/swwomen

Buffalo medicine’s com-i-i-ing! Can you hear it? Buffalo medicine’s com-ing!

Buffalo medicine’s com-i-i-ing! Can you feel it?

Buffalo medicine’s com-i-i-ing! (chant)

Buffalo medicine’s call-i-i-ing! Can you hear it? Buffalo medicine’s call-ing!

Buffalo medicine’s call-i-i-ing! Can you feel it?

Buffalo medicine’s call-ing! (chant)

(chant) Weya heya heh hi ya Weya heya heh hi ya Weya heya heh hi ya

Ya ya ya ya

We sing of a time of abundance, and as the abundance comes into our lives, so must it also flow out.

A Tipi is a conical tent, traditionally made of animal skins and wooden poles. Stereotypically used to represent all First Nations People, the tipi (or teepee) was generally only used by the Great Plains people. Other Nations had different kinds of dwellings (a wigwam for Ojibwa Peoples). The tipi provides warmth in the winter and cool air in the summer, as well as shelter from the elements. They are portable to coincide with the nomadic lifestyle of the Great Plains People; they are easily disassembled and reconstructed. Today most tipis are constructed of canvas. Most commonly they are used in re-enactments and by First Nations People trying to preserve their tradition and heritage for future generations.

Source: Jake Charles, First Nation Cultural Tours

http://firstnationculturaltours.com/site/tipi/

Did you know Cara Gee has ties to Curve Lake First Nation?

Born in Calgary, AB and raised in Aurora, ON, Cara Gee is a stage and

screen actress with a BFA in acting from the University of Windsor. Cara

is known for her lead role in the film Empire of Dirt, for which she was

nominated as Best Actress at the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards. In

2013, Cara was named one of the official Rising Stars at the Toronto

International Film Festival and was named by the Toronto Star as one of

the top 13 People to Watch in 2013. Landing the starring role in a

Canadian TV drama is the latest in a string of accomplishments for the

31-year old Gee, whose mother’s family hails from Curve Lake First

Nation in Ontario.

'To be able to portray the complexity of one Métis woman’s life,

maybe that's one way I can help our nation value the lives of First

Nations women.'- Cara Gee

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/q-a-cara-

gee-plays-dream-role-as-gun-toting-m%C3%A9tis-

cowgirl-1.2786713

Animal Walks: Groups of students move in the shape of the corresponding animal for about 30 seconds, then move to next. Frog: Jump sideways, across the width of the activity area. Deer: Run as fast as you can around the activity area. Duck: Crouch, waddle and count to 10. Turtle: Crawl on hands and knees once around the activity area. Dog: Run for 10 strides, stop and twirl two times, run for 10 more strides, and then twirl two times. Use Cree words to teach language and keep fit! Source: www.creedictionary.com Bear = maskwa Take big strides and walk 2 lengths of the activity area. Rabbit = wapos Hop 25 times on the spot. Goose = niska Flap arms 10 times and run around the activity area. Marten = wapistan Stand, touch toes, put hands a foot or two in front of you, and jump to where your hands are placed. Repeat 5 times. Fox = makkayshoo Walk slowly, crouch, then run around the activity area 3 times.

www.nativemartialarts.ca

http://teachingtools.ophea.net/

http://missuniversecanada.ca/2013-national-finalists/ashley-callingbull/

http://www.ochc.ca/services/aboriginal-initiatives

http://rabbitandbearpaws.com/

http://www.metisnation.org

http://icor.ottawainuitchildrens.com/

http://www.scugogfirstnation.com/Public/Home.aspx

http://www.aboriginalinitiativesdurham.com/

www.firstnationculturaltours.com

Follow us on Twitter @DDSB_AboriginalEd

Like us on Facebook DDSB Aboriginal Education

Visit us at www.ddsb.ca/programs/aboriginaled

Source: http://teachingtools.ophea.net/activities/first-nations-inspired-dpa/animal-walks

For more First Nations Inspired Daily Physical Activities visit http://teachingtools.ophea.net/