Reading with your child during Mi’kmaq History Month
October is Mi’kmaq History Month and this year’s theme is Nepisulti’k (Healing).
Kwe’ Teluisi Natasha “Kitpu” Lewis and I am a Mik’maq mother from L’istuguj Mi’gmac Government and an Enhanced Home Visitor at The North Grove.
When I work with families and other members of The North Grove community, I love to find ways to incorporate my culture into everyday practices.
Sharing my favorite kids books with my families is a great opportunity and one of my favorite books is “The Gathering” by Theresa Meuse. This beautiful book is about a child’s first experience at a Powwow. There are so many great books with colourful art by indigenous artists, see our list of recommended books below.
Sharing stories for healing and growth
With the spirit of healing in mind, one of the ways Indigenous People can heal is by sharing our stories and teaching. Reading to your baby and older children also helps parents build attachment and stimulates brain growth.
Babies and children learn through everyday experiences when they have meaningful interactions with nurturing adults. By talking and reading to your baby, you can help your baby feel more connected and increase their vision skills by encouraging eye movement and exploration.
Research shows that reading to your baby from prenatal onwards helps children’s brains develop and lays the foundation for better self-regulation and learning in later years.
Book recommendations from The North Grove team
The North Grove staff are avid readers of children’s books and gave us lots of recommendations for parents or other family members looking for special Mi’kmaq children’s books. Here are their suggestions:
Naomi recommends Woverine and Little Thunder, by Alan Syliboy
Mouna and me recommend Baby Smiles/Weskewikwa'sit mijua'ji'j, a project by the Tui’kn Partnership
Maria, Raechelle and Suwela recommend Mi’kmaw Animals, by Alan Syliboy
Caralee and Yuki recommend Mi’kmaw Daily Drum: Mi’kmaw Culture for Every Day of the Week, by Alan Syliboy
We hope you and your kids enjoy reading these as much as we do!
Enhanced Home Visitors provide individualized support to families with children ages 0-3.
