“We Give them Thanks”
Thanks “the “Ohénton Karihwatéhkwen” “The words that come before all others” an ancient message of peace and appreciation of mother earth and all her inhabitants. This is very important for the Kanienkeha: ka people.
Harold Napper School Grade 3 students participated in a workshop with Mr. Timothy and Ms. Sue. They learned about the Kanienkeha: ka Way of Life and also watched a beautiful video created by Jake Swamp called “Giving Thanks”. Giving Thanks is an ancient message of gratitude and appreciation of Mother Earth and all her inhabitants.
Jake Swamp was from the Kanienkeha: ka nation one of the nations of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. He travelled around the world promoting peace by sharing the” Ohénton Karihwatéhkwen ” and the teachings of the Great Law of Peace. He encouraged all nations of the world to come together to in peace. One of the first steps to becoming peaceful is by showing appreciation and “Giving Thanks” to Mother Earth and all her inhabitants, each morning when we rise. By doing this we become peaceful and of good mind to make good decisions for ourselves and others.
Students selected a gift (inhabitant) from Mother Earth and then painted this image onto a piece of cotton. Students then explained why this element was important. For instance, they painted a scene that included the sun and then explained why the sun is important to keep the world warm, so we do not freeze and to provide sunshine for the plants to grow. They then translated this information into both French and English. The labels will accompany the quilt, to help explain it, when it is displayed in the school.
Thank you to the organizers, the teachers and special guests, Doreen Assaad, Mayor of Brossard, and
Matthew Mazur, Commissioner at Riverside School Board. It was a magical event!
