Learning Objectives
Indigenous Identity, Healing & Wellbeing
February 2012
• Learn how to use the resource
• Learn how to facilitate a Granny and
Grandpa Connections Box session
• Learn how the approach of the cultural
resource can be incorporated into policies,
programs and services for agencies
working with Aboriginal children and
families
Overview of the “Granny and
Grampa Connections Box” Project
• The Granny and Grampa Connections Box is a
collaborative project created by representatives from
provincial Aboriginal organizations that work to support
Aboriginal children and families in BC.
• The Granny and Grampa Connections Box consists of:
– The Connections Box of Cultural Treasures
– The Facilitation Circle Guide and the
– The Training and Orientation DVD
Introduction
• The Granny and Grampa Connections Box focuses on
the significance of the early period of life and the
fundamental importance of culture, language and family
on Aboriginal children’s development.
• The Granny and Grampa Connections Box is designed
to support and promote the importance of traditional
ways of early learning, healthy development and wellbeing of Aboriginal children, their families and
communities.
• The Granny and Grampa Connections Box illustrates
how learning identity, culture and language are critical
aspects in raising healthy children.
“It can be said there is no greater loss
than the loss of identity…the
strengthening of identity provides
the necessary foundation in which
learning can occur.”
Dr. Lee Brown
Introduction continued…
• The emphasis is on the important role of
the grandparents and Elders as teachers,
mentors and knowledge holders of how we
care for and teach our children.
• The Granny and Grampa Connections Box
is an interactive cultural resource for parents
and caregivers, designed to engage families
with their children.
• The Connections Box can be used by anyone who works with
children and families, including:
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children’s programs
language programs
parenting programs
outreach programs and
home visiting programs
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Introduction to the Resources
• The Granny and Grampa Connections Box is a collection
of items that we refer to as ‘cultural treasures’ the kit
contains:
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An interchangeable Grandparent puppet
A circle blanket
A child sized Métis sash
A drum
A paddle
A rattle
Stuffed toys (include; a whale, wolf, eagle,
seal, buffalo, deer, and a bear)
– A Circle Guide and a Training & Orientation DVD
Role of the Trainer
• As the trainer you are being trained to go out into areas
of the province to introduce and share this valuable
resource with communities.
• Your role is to be familiar with
the Connections Box and
share best practices on how
to introduce and interact with
the resources to influence
and nurture learning and
experiencing together.
Purpose
• The resource is designed to provide a fun, interactive
approach to learning cultural ways of raising and caring
for our children, to learn about one’s identity as a First
Nation, Inuit and Métis, person and to learn traditional
languages.
• The Connections Box:
– Supports the belief and understanding that culture and language is the
foundation of children’s development.
– Is intended to increase cultural awareness and to strengthen community
capacity for supporting young First Nation, Metis and Inuit children and
families.
Values
• The Granny and Grampa Connections Box values:
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Focusing on the important roles of families.
Promoting greater awareness and pride of our identity.
Encouraging learning about cultures, languages, and ancestry.
Acknowledging and respecting community ownership of their
knowledge, culture, stories, histories, practices and traditions.
– Celebrating the importance of the traditional ways of learning
within today’s world.
– Supporting parents and caregivers to engage with their children.
– Promoting play, laughter, humour and fun.
– Is designed to respect different cultures, traditions and teachings.
The Approach
The Granny and Grampa Connections Box Circle
Guide is organized into three themes:
1. The Gift of Family
2. The Gift of Celebration and
3. The Gift of Oral Traditions
The Circle Guide is divided into 2 categories;
• Connections Circles for Adults and
• Connections Circles for Children
Guiding Principles
• The Connections Circles are intended to provide parents
with the tools to engage and interact with their children.
• The Children’s Connections Circles are intended to
provide opportunity for children to touch, feel, hear, learn
and explore their culture and language in a fun and
interactive way.
• Singing, dancing, storytelling, playing and laughter can
be healing and spiritually uplifting for young and old.
• Elders, Grandparents hold a wealth of knowledge
regarding history, traditions and cultural teachings that
strengthen our children and families, and they must be
afforded the utmost respect.
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“In order to learn you need to be a part of the
lesson, you need to be at the river
watching your family fish, watching them
hunt, gather food, gather medicine,
watching them give respect to the earth,
to sing, dance and pray.”
Coast Salish Elder,
Ray Peters
“Children need to have
interaction with Elders
all the time in order to
learn from them and
have a connection.”
Facilitator Tips
• As the trainer and facilitator you are not expected to be
an expert in the culture of the community you work in.
• Your role is to guide the discussion and circles in
exploring their culture together.
• When possible use the first
languages of the territory in
your Connections Circles.
• Follow the interests,
knowledge and readiness
of the groups.
Gilakas’la, Haa’mii’yaa
Coast Salish Elder, Delores Louie
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