An Indigenous Knowledge Keeper or community member should be invited in to help to deliver this learning activity.

Note that this activity is also included in Learning Activity 8: Ceremony Ensures Right Relationship with the Land in the QUILLS Food Learning Bundle.

Instructions:

• In this lesson the teacher discusses with students the ways in which Indigenous ceremonies (in this instance, Maple and Corn ceremonies) are important to both the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples and to the land. Discussion should focus on how ceremonies are important as they encourage people to express gratitude, to give back to, and to live in reciprocity with the land. Information on ceremonies is included in Ceremony Ensures Right Relations with the Land.pdf.
• Teachers can also choose to read some of the following stories with their students.
• Stories articulating Anishinaabe Maple teachings include:
  • All Our Relations.pdf found inThe Gift is in the Making: Anishinaabeg Stories by Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg musician, writer and academic Leanne Simpson;
  • The Gift is in the Making.pdf found in The Gift is in the Making: Anishinaabeg Stories by Leanne Simpson.
  • Chapter Maple Sugar Moon found in the (2013) book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Potawatomi scholar and plant ecologist Robin Kimmerer;
  • Manabozho and the Maple Trees.pdf found in Keepers of the Earth: Native American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children by Joseph Bruchac.
• A story discussing Haudenosaunee teachings related to the corn harvest can be found in:
  • The Corn Spirit (Tuscarora-Eastern Woodland).pdf found in Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants Through Native Stories and Earth Activities for Children by Joseph Bruchac.

Spotlight on Language:

• Students learn the names for Maple tree, the ceremonies, and the things used to gather and make syrup etc. in both Anishinaabemowin and Kanyen’kéha and are encouraged to add them to their Outdoor Learning Journal (introduced in the Teacher’s Guide) and refer to them throughout the Bundle. Teachers should also refer back to these words throughout the Bundle to solidify student language learning. These words are also available on the online QUILLS dictionary. Teachers and students can visit the online dictionary to hear the words.

Anishinaabewmowin:

Forest Habitat: Mitigwaaking

Maple Tree: Ninaatig  

Maple Ceremony: Ziizbaakdoke Giizis

Container to collect Sap: biskitenaagan

Kanyen’kéha:

Forest Habitat: Kahrhá:kon

Maple Tree: Wáhta  

Maple Ceremony: Ahatishestáta, (the Opening the Bush/Woods)

Container Used to Collect Sap: Kanà:tsyonk

Extension:

• Teachers have students share with the class or in small groups any ceremonies from their lives or cultures that are intended to give back to and/or give thanks to the land/natural world.