Bringing Up Baby
The Early Years would not be possible without the community members and Elders who ground and guide the cultural evolution of the program.
Group gatherings between The Early Years participants include sewing and beading circles, sharing circles, and topic-specific workshops, like sage and sweetgrass gathering and traditional parenting sessions.
All the things my kokum taught me: berry-picking, medicinal herbs, the language. When we have those teachings, the world is our classroom. So, I say to the youth: you’re First Nations and it’s so important. Go back to it.
One particular workshop offers a practical teaching on Cree swings and baby moss bags. The Elder may bring in her own great-granddaughter as an example, cradling her in her arms while singing a lullaby to the group. She will explain to the Early Years participants how child-rearing was done in her day, how women are life-givers, how precious their bodies are. The Elder might note the gift a parent gives to their child when they play the hand-drum and the powerful effects the songs have for baby throughout their lifespan.
Their teachings come not from a textbook but from oral teachings. They come from the beginning of time, from the beginning of life.
Listen: An Ermineskin Cree Nation Elder speaks about the powerful role grandparents play |
The Early Years prioritises Indigenous-led knowledge and language revitalisation The Early Years prioritises Indigenous-led knowledge and language revitalisation The Early Years prioritises Indigenous-led knowledge and language revitalisation The Early Years prioritises Indigenous-led knowledge and language revitalisation The Early Years prioritises Indigenous-led knowledge and language revitalisation
