Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Bio
She:koli, it's Patsy Day ... an Oneida Turtle Clan member and O. C. T. I share cultural knowledge relative to our own students and the greater population as our blended history and heritage needs to be passed to the next generations. I've studied and taught over the recent 20 yrs. in the region and at Oneida. Born in London to a native Mother who later lost her status through government policies, since overturned [Bill C31] through the long tough struggles of many.
I am honoured to be asked to your classroom to see the bright faces of our future.
I create puzzles, board games, felt board stories and more about Turtle Island/this land we live in and the Hotenoshone/People of the Longhouse and how we use the 28 day Moon Cycle of Ceremonies. Stories and activities are usually about the time of year we a presently living, as would be in our communities. Some language acquisition is also presented from the introduction to main themes throughout ...also social songs and traditional music may accompany.
I am honoured to be asked to your classroom to see the bright faces of our future.
I create puzzles, board games, felt board stories and more about Turtle Island/this land we live in and the Hotenoshone/People of the Longhouse and how we use the 28 day Moon Cycle of Ceremonies. Stories and activities are usually about the time of year we a presently living, as would be in our communities. Some language acquisition is also presented from the introduction to main themes throughout ...also social songs and traditional music may accompany.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
These are fridge magnets for weather words in Oneida ... there are also word only magnets to match and practice. eg. today's weather word was:
Wa ni sli yo/Nice day! as in lovely outside ;) Wah knee slee yo
Today was also an historical one for me personally, as I was asked to participate in Native Cultural Day at the first school I attended. It was across the street from the orphanage where my mother took me at the time. [cira 1957] We lived two streets over from the school in an upstairs apartment [the kind with steep steps outside the building] but when government policies crashed down on my mother's marital status after separation, she was forced to walk me around the corner to the orphanage. So, ya, a much better day today!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
6 Nations symbols
She:koli Swakwe:ku/Greetings Everyone ;) ... what a wonderful Kohsla:ke/Winter we're having! lol ... most have trouble seeing the seasons' gifts, but this one is a time of reflection and development.
Yukhinulha/Mother Earth and creatures are in the re-birthing process. New life is on the way. Ta:ne tho niyotuha:ke ^kwa'nikula
... and so shall our minds be. [Say go lee, Swah gway goo go sla gay you key newl ha ... dah nay toe nee yo' due ha gay oo gwa' nee go la]
The colouring page I'm working on is part of the TRAVEL TURTLE ISLAND Colouring Book. It is an interactive workbook for cultural and language acquisition. This page will use cut-outs to sort symbols relating to Nation designations.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Yaw^ko Teyokokat/Thank you Melissa, for the beautiful Tsyoka/Raven feather. I used the beads you also gifted. Peote stitch on the quill with a leather lace to hang after each use in thanking and cleansing; burning tobacco, sweetgrass, sage, cedar. Onu'hkwat/Medicines ease our way to the spirit world. When we look up to the sky and see the Big Dipper straight overhead, it is time for Tsha'tekohselh^/Midwinter Ceremonies. We thank the Creator for all the gifts we've received throughout the year and ask that we may be blessed with the same in the year ahead.