Celebrating Aboriginal Culture The cultural diversity within Thunder Bay and throughout Northwestern Ontario enriches our social fabric with new ideas and energy. This month's E-bulletin celebrates Aboriginal people, traditions, and a culture that is fully alive! The Anishnawbe believe it is important to live life in balance, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This is something we can all benefit from, regardless of our family background.    Nourished Kids   Active Kids   Happy Kids   Wild Rice Salad with Dried Fruit and Mint INGREDIENTS: 1 cups raw wild rice 5 cups chicken broth or water 1 cup dried apricots, diced 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped 1 cup raisins 1 cup dried cranberries ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped finely ¼ cup olive oil 1/3 cup fruit flavoured vinegar or orange juice ½ tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper DIRECTIONS: 1. Cook rice in boiling stock or water until kernels    are open and tender (about 1 hour).     Remove from heat, drain and cool. 2. Place cool rice in a large mixing bowl.     Add all remaining ingredients and toss gently. 3. Refrigerate 4-6 hours before serving.     Serve chilled or at room temperature.

GET SEASONAL, LOW-COST, LOCAL TIPS AND RECIPES COMING TO YOUR INBOX EACH MONTH!           Recipe from Flavour First by Mary Sue Waisman

Wild rice is known as man-o-min to the Ojibway people. It is actually a grain, like wheat, and has been harvested for thousands of years from local waters.
Man-o-min comes from Manitou (The Great Spirit) and meenun (delicacy).

NOURISHED KIDS!

• Link the past with the present.  A typical holiday dinner often involves a large stuffed bird, mashed potatoes, cranberries and vegetables. This meal is actually derived from traditional Aboriginal foods, although in a "wilder" state. Wild turkey with wild rice stuffing, wild cranberries, and berries for dessert are staples on many Canadian tables thanks to Aboriginal people!
  
  
• Live off the land a little more.  The traditional Aboriginal diet is very nutritious.  Wild rice provides fibre and vitamins.  Wild meats like moose, deer and fish are lean and high in protein.  Berries offer key vitamins. Try working these foods into your family’s menu more often.  Wild rice can be popped like popcorn for a tasty new snack.  Saskatoons and blueberries thrive in our area. Plan to go berry picking this summer and enjoy them fresh or preserve them for later.  
  
  
• Just grow it. Many foods we buy at the store were originally cultivated by First Nations people. As you are planning your garden this year, consider growing the traditional “three sisters” - corn, beans and squash.  The corn is planted so the beans can climb up the stalk, and the squash is planted at the base so their big leaves will keep the soil moist and prevent weeds from growing up.
  
  Helpful Links: 
• Learn more about traditional Aboriginal foods from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.
• Learn more about eating well according to the First Nations, Inuit and Metis food guide.
• Get helpful tips on planting the "three sisters" in your garden from
  iVillage GardenWeb.
• Discover great ways to use wild rice, including how to pop it like popcorn, 
  from Far North Wild Rice.

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ACTIVE KIDS!

• Play for your body, mind and spirit. Traditional Aboriginal games teach many important skills such as cooperation, hand/eye coordination and agility.  They are also important not only for physical health, but emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing as well.  Gather family and friends for a fun game of Tug-of-War or Capture the Corn Husk (or Flag).
  
  

• Move to the beat. According to Anishnawbe Elders, when a drum sounds, it can be heard throughout the universe.  It represents the heartbeat of the nation and unites all of creation.  Traditional Aboriginal dancing moves to the drum beat and takes great physical effort!  Take advantage of opportunities to attend a pow wow or a drum social as a family.
  

• Connect with Mother Earth.  Anishnawbe people have a deep connection to all creation.  Take time to appreciate our natural world by getting outdoors.  Go for a hike, sit around a campfire together or go exploring near a stream.  Take it all in - the sights, the smells, the sounds.  Talk about the natural gifts we have been given and how it is important to take care of them.

  
  Helpful Links: 

• Find out about safe cycling courses for all ages and abilities offered by
  Safe Cycling Thunder Bay.
• Check out these local events for children and families:
  - Jane's Walks in Thunder Bay that promote exploring neighbourhoods by
    walking on May 5 and 6
  - Thunder Bay's Folklore Festival at Fort William Gardens on May 5 and 6
  - Terrace Bay's Mother's Day Kids Craft on  May 10
  - 9th annual Girl Power "Be Strong. Be You." conference for girls in grades 5-9 on 
     May 12 at Confederation College in Thunder Bay 
  - Arbor Day celebration on May 12 at Boulevard Lake's Birch Point Park
  - Royal LePage Women's United Run, Stroll or Roll on May 12 at Boulevard Lake
  - Marathon's Pitch-In community clean up and barbecue on May 12
  - Manitouwadge Children's Festival on May 26
  - Thunder Bay Youth Dragon Boat Festival on May 26 at Boulevard Lake
  - Thunder Bay's Kite Festival at Chippewa Park on May 27
  - Visit the traditional Ojibway village at Fort William Historical Park.
  - Bike Safety Rodeo on June 2 for kids and parents at the Lakehead University
     Fieldhouse

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HAPPY KIDS!

• Promote respect.  Even within your own circles of family and friends, encourage acceptance of all people regardless of their race, religion or ethnic background.  Talk with your children about how to handle situations where they see others being treated unfairly.
  
  

• Keep an open mind.  Take an interest in learning about the beliefs, histories and ways of cultural groups not part of your own.  This not only extends your knowledge, but it also expands your understanding of the world around you.
  
  

• Expose yourselves.  Learn more about Aboriginal life through storybooks at the library.  Visit Aboriginal art exhibits and talk about what makes each piece special.  Participate in pow-wows and other special Aboriginal events.
  
  Helpful links:
• Gain insight into Aboriginal beliefs through the teachings provided at FourDirectionsTeachings.com
• Learn more about the City of Thunder Bay's Respect campaign.
• Discover opportunities to view Aboriginal art collections at the Ahnisnabae Art Gallery or the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.   
• Find out about the National Aboriginal Health Organization Aboriginal Youth Art Contest.
• Check out the Happy Kids Healthy Kids art contest sponsored by the Canadian Paediatric Society.

For more great tips and links visit:

• The Busy Parents Guide to Healthy, Happy Kids 
• Previous E-Bulletins

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