MARCH 2024

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CONNECTIONS is for Foster and Kinship Caregivers to help them support the Indigenous, Metis, and Inuit children and youth in their care, stay connected, and learn more about their culture and traditions. It's a great resource for any family wanting to learn more!

CREATION STORIES

This months SPOTLIGHT - Creation Stories

The indigenous people in North America have different creation stories amongst the different tribes and nations. Creation stories tell people about their history, cultures, beliefs, and the environment in which they live or have come from.

TURTLE ISLAND

Turtle Island is another name for North America. The origin of the name comes from the Algonquian-and-Iroquoian-speaking peoples. They are from the Northeastern part of North America. The stories are about a turtle that carries the world on its back. It is a symbol for life, the earth, and Indigenous identity

WATCH THIS ANIMATED VIDEO ABOUT TURTLE ISLAND! RABBITHEAD CAPTURING THE NORTH The Legend of Weesakayjack - First Nation Creation Story How North America Came to Be

GAME Turtle Island Online Game - Government of Canada Take a tour of Turtle Island to discover some interesting facts about First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture!

BOOK Turtle Island By Kathy Lowinger and Eldon Yellowhorn (Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksikaitsitapi); Piikani (Peigan, Aapatohsipikani) Unlike most books that chronicle the history of Native peoples beginning with the arrival of Europeans in 1492, this book goes back to the Ice Age to give young readers a glimpse of what life was like pre-contact. The title, Turtle Island, refers to a Native story that explains how North and Central America were formed on the back of a turtle. Ages 12-15.

READ A-LOUD VIDEO Aski and Turtle Island - Book For Kids Askî means “earth” in Cree. His story introduces Turtle Island and Mother Earth—two concepts that are central in the First Nations’ worldview. Askî also tells stories about life at the pond WATCH HERE

FREE DOWNLOADABLE COLORING BOOK

Turtle Island Collection Coloring Book Tales From The Old World by Robert Tait Jr. a coloring book featuring native American characters and designs

STICKER Turtle Island Sticker by Warren Rose for purchase on the Spreadshirt website.

WATER BOTTLE Turtle Island Water Bottle Poster available for purchase on the Spreadshirt website.

DID YOU KNOW? Not all Indigenous creation stories feature a turtle

A Blackfoot Creation Story that gets learners up and moving the actions of the story! A Blackfoot Movement Story (Be Fit for Life): An intro to the Blackfoot Creation Story.

WATCH INUIT CREATIONS STORY READ-A-LOUD VIDEO Learn how the Raven made the world and the water with the beat of his wings. Watch Here

In many Northwest Coast Indigenous Cultures, the Raven features prominently in origin tales. According to the Haida, for example, Raven created Haida Gwaii and brought light into the world.

History Museum - Traditional Stories and Creation Stories

Listen to traditional stories and creation stories told by six Indigenous storytellers from communities across Canada.

WATCH Video Metis Creation Story - This video shows a classroom presentation by elementary students sharing the Metis creation story about the Sun's caretaker. WATCH HERE

WATCH VIDEO Nehiyawak: A Cree Creation Story when all the animals create the earth.

THE AFKA ART CONTEST IS BACK!

The Alberta Foster and Kinship Association art contest aims to inspire creativity in children and youth, giving them an opportunity to have their art published on a greeting card. The cards will be used for various purposes such as, but not limited to, provincial caregiver recognition, AND kids get a chance to win a prize! In addition, all art submissions that fit within the contest criteria will be published in a video or slideshow format on the AFKA website, AFKA social media platforms (Facebook/Instagram) and/or through email to AFKA’s email distribution list(s).

Theme: What does Family Fun mean to you? Deadline for Submissions: May 15, 2024. For full details, including criteria, guidelines, eligibility and submission instructions, please visit our website at:

AFKA's Kids Art Contest - Alberta Foster and Kinship Association (afkaonline.ca).

EVENTS & PROGRAMS

Please join us for the fourth 1-day Summit, Walking the Children Home Together, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, in Calgary. The day is intended to provide space for collaborative discussions between Nations and Agency providers in Alberta to support a positive transition with the Federal Act (bill C-92), An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth, and families. The wonderful thing about our ‘steps’ on this journey is anyone can join at any time. If you were unable to attend the earlier steps, please still join us on this path. We would love to have you included on this journey.

Kistehitah Kimeskanam (Honour your Journey/Road) 2023-24 Free weekend workshops for Indigenous people living in the city of Edmonton to make little moccasins or (new this year)moss bags.

Individual Registration for Following

Baby Moccasins April 6-7 (10 am-6 pm both days) Free Edmonton

Moss Bags May 11 (10 am-6 pm) -one day only Free Edmonton

Kistehitah kimeskanām (honour your journey/road) is a project arising from the identification of unmarked graves at former residential school sites across Turtle Island. It comes from a vision of a path lined with baby moccasins leading to a beautiful healing lodge. A pipe ceremony was held for the start of this project with Elder Ruth Cardinal de Ubiera in 2021. The little moccasins (maskisina) and moss bags (wâspisona) created as part of this project will honour the children who were sent to the schools as well as the new spirits coming into the world today.

Kinship Relations for Student Success April 24 – 26, 2024

2024 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships Grande Prairie

Ben Calf Robe Society presents: “Our Children Are Sacred” May 9th & 10th, 2024, Enoch

Ermineskin 2024 Competition Pow-Wow May 31st - June 2nd, 2024

Metis Nation of Alberta Caregiver Conference Together in Caregiving Metis Crossing, Smoky Lake Alberta April 6, 2024

ALBERTA PROGRAMS

View scheduled programs and activities available in Alberta for children and youth with a focus on cultural connection. View Here

SCHOLARSHIPS

Shannen’s Dream Scholarship Applications for 2024 are now open! The Shannen’s Dream Scholarship is named in honour of Shannen Koostachin, a courageous young leader from Attawapiskat First Nation who sparked a national movement for safe and comfy schools for First Nations students. Deadline: March 31, 2024, at 11:59 PM ET.

Jordan's Principle Scholarship 2024 Applications Now Open!

Named in loving memory of Jordan River Anderson, the Jordan's Principle Scholarship will be awarded to First Nations students studying children’s holistic health and well-being. Deadline: April 30, 2024.

CAREGIVER RESOURCES

NEW FROM ALIGN!

ALIGN JOURNAL FOR SERVICES TO CHILDREN & FAMILIES 2024

ALIGN & PolicyWise Report – Measuring Child Well-being Report 2024 This report marks the end of a year-long collaborative learning journey to better understand and define well-being for use in the child welfare practice in Alberta.

AFKA Re Increases to Caregivers Rates

Update from AFKA March 7, 2024, New FAQ Document Not all information, specifically the actual rate increase, has been shared at this point as these are details still being worked on prior to sharing with caregivers. The FAQ document has been shared to provide some clarity on where things are at for the moment. Please feel free to share with fellow caregivers. Related - A Message from AFKA’s CEO – Melissa Jones (March 1, 2024)

VIDEO What Words Can I Use Now for First Nation Metis and Inuit?

PODCAST A Conversation with Dr. Bruce Perry About Trauma – Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption & Foster Care

SUBMISSIONS

To Submit Resources or Events, email starrd@alignab.ca

SEE MORE CONNECTION ISSUES HERE or SUBSCRIBE HERE