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.
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/.
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!
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 miniseries, 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.
Source: http://missuniversecanada.ca/2013-national-finalists/ashley-callingbull/
Courtesy of Nancy’s Grandmother
Makes 5-6 servings
Ingredients
Instructions
2 tbsp. butter
 Heat the butter in a saucepan.
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
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 2045 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.
1 big russet potato
salt and pepper to taste
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).
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 reenactments 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-caragee-plays-dream-role-as-gun-toting-m%C3%A9tiscowgirl-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.
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/
www.nativemartialarts.ca
http://teachingtools.ophea.net/
Follow us on Twitter @DDSB_AboriginalEd
http://missuniversecanada.ca/2013-national-finalists/ashley-callingbull/
http://www.ochc.ca/services/aboriginal-initiatives
http://rabbitandbearpaws.com/
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