A Reading List for Indigenous History Month

Hi Owlkids Family!

June is National Indigenous History Month and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day so it’s a great time to celebrate the history and achievements of Indigenous Peoples.

In honour of this month we have compiled a list of books that explore Indigenous culture. Gather the family, grab a comfy spot, and get reading!

Click on the links below to learn more about these books.

The Water Walker by Joanne Roberston (ages 3-7)

Aboriginal Canadian Communities: Salish Community by M.M. Eboch (ages 5-12)

Haida of Haida Gwaii by Owlkids (ages 4 – 13)

Haudenosaunee Culture Through Art and Design: Book 1 by Dakota Brant (age 5 and up)

Zoe and The Fawn by Catherine Jameson (ages 3-5)

Big Air by Lorna Schultz Nicholson (ages 12 and up)

Mohawk Colouring Book by Native North American Travelling College (ages 7 and up)

The Mask That Sang by Susan Currie (ages 9-13)

The Giving Tree: A Retelling of a Traditional Métis Story by Leah Dorion (ages 5-9)

 

And be sure to visit 4CAnoes.org and Goodminds.com for more great resources!

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10 Earth Month Activities

 

Happy Earth Month, Owlkids Family!

April is a great time to get outdoors, appreciate our environment and take whatever little steps we can to help protect it.

Here are some fun family activities to get you started.

1) Look for crocuses or tulips sprouting up through the dirt.

2) Meet a teen activist who is fighting to protect our planet’s water. 

3) Make a pinwheel and head out on a windy day to see if it works.

4) Put on some work gloves, grab a garbage bag, and pick up trash and recycling from a park or beach.

5) Test your green knowledge with a fun quiz and word search.

6) Make a cute little origami snail!

7) Visit a local greenhouse and learn about how plants grow.

8) Try a cloud in a jar experiment and learn how rain falls from heavy clouds.

9) Turn a juice or milk carton into a bird feeder for your backyard or balcony.

10) Write out an Earth Month pledge that explains what your family promises to do to help the planet. Research online to find small actions you can start incorporating into your household.

 

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SAYING GOODBYE TO BOB KAIN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Way back in 1997, cartoonist Bob Kain helped create our favourite little bird character and brought him to life in the pages of Chirp magazine.

We were saddened to learn of Bob’s passing last week.

But we are so happy that his legacy lives on in the magazine. Bob shared so many of Chirp’s sweet and silly qualities and even though he stopped drawing the Chirp Comic years ago, we still see much of him in the character. Bob Kain helped us build this magazine to what it is today and we are honoured to have been part of his inspiring life and his ever-evolving cartooning journey. 

In honour of Bob, we thought we would share his first-ever Chirp Comic. Enjoy!

— The Owlkids Team

 

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Indigenous Peoples Day

Hello Owlkids Family!

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day and although every day is a day to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, June is a great time to learn more. Here are some things you and your family can do this month!

• Check out a map of Indigenous Territories and languages. Choose a language you are unfamiliar with and research some common words in that language.
• Listen to a retelling of the Anishinaabe Grandfather Teachings.
• Read about some items that were first discovered or invented by Indigenous Peoples.
• Watch a video of Inuit throat singing.
• Read a book told from a perspective that is different from your own.
• Play a memory game and learn about First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture as you play.
• Read about the Ojibwe Peoples of Manitoulin Island in this special issue created by Owlkids and 4Canoes.
• Make colourful collage art inspired by Plains Cree artist George Littlechild.
• Research powwows in your area. If you are a non-Indigenous person, make sure they are open to you and read up on powwow etiquette before attending.

Are there any activities you do with your family to celebrate this holiday? Leave a comment below!

Happy summer, everyone.

— Jackie

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Halloween Fun

Looking for fun Halloween activities you can do with your family this weekend? We’ve gathered some of our favourites from Chirp, Chickadee, and OWL!

Click on the image above or here, to view, download, or print out our Halloween Extravaganza booklet.

Happy haunting, everyone!

— Jackie

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