Storyteller: Carol Ann
Languages: English and Anishnaabemowin
About the story: Carol Ann receives her grandmother’s moccasins as a graduation gift.
Learn more: In Carol Ann’s story, she talks about the power of learning language as a way to take back what was stolen from her grandmother at residential school. She focuses on one word—miigwetch—as a way to show gratitude to her grandmother. These culture and language activities teach us to say thank-you in many languages. Connecting to gratitude, we learn the grateful song as well.
Culture and Language Activities
Miigwetch Montage
Learn a word: There are 12 Indigenous language groups in Canada, made up of more than 65 distinct languages and dialects, including many sign languages. In this montage of language nest members, we learn how to say thank-you in many Indigenous languages. Which words are from the traditional territory you currently live on? Which words are connected to your family? Which ones do you want to learn?
Nimiigwetch Song (Grateful Song)
Creative Activity: Learn an Anishnaabe song by language nest members about gratitude.