A CHILD BECOMES STRONG: Journeying Through Each Stage of the Life Cycle A CHILD BECOMES STRONG: Journeying Through Each Stage of the Life Cycle 2010 A CHILD BECOMES STRONG: Journeying Through Each Stage Of The Life Cycle A CHILD BECOMES STRONG: Journeying Through Each Stage Of The Life Cycle 1 Miigwetch (Thank you) Many generous people helped to create this resource. We say miigwetch (thank you in Ojibwe and Cree) to the First Nation advisory group who guided the process and to the key informants who contributed to the content. Many thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge and experience. Your wisdom was incredibly valuable in developing this resource. The Best Start Resource Centre acknowledges Terrellyn Fearn, Spirit Moon Consulting, for her role in developing this resource, through work with the advisory group, key informant interviews, and in researching and drafting this manual. Thanks also to Colleen Maloney (Ontario Native Women’s Association) and Sandi Cornell (Dilico). Thank you to Melanie Ferris from the Best Start Resource Centre for editing and for sharing her knowledge of traditional teachings on pregnancy and parenting and Yolande Lawson of the Best Start Resource Centre for managing the final development steps for this resource. FIRST NATION ADVISORY GROUP: Evelyn Esquega, Ontario Native Women’s Association Lyndia Jones, Independent First Nations Crystal McLeod, Dilico Child and Family Services Laurie McLeod-Shabogesic, Union of Ontario Indians Paula Naponse, Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres Lois Stoll, Grand Council Treaty #3 Wendy Trylinski, Nishnawbe-Aski Nation KEY INFORMANTS: Gail Anishinabie, AHBHC coordinator, Sandy Lake First Nation Martha Benson, AHBHC coordinator, North Caribou First Nation Jaynane Burning-Fields, traditional faith keeper, Niagara region Joseph Cloutier, FASD advocate/speaker, Sudbury Mary Elliot, Elder Irene Goodwin, FASD coordinator, Sandy Lake First Nation Sarah Kanakakeesic, AHBHC coordinator, North Caribou First Nation Margaret Keesic, AHBHC coordinator, Peetabeck Health Services Flora Klaswa, AHBHC and FASD coordinator, Eabametoong First Nation Rachel Mamakwa, AHBHC and FASD coordinator, Wunnumin Lake First Nation Paula Maurer, AHBHC and FASD coordinator, Beaverhouse First Nation Lynn Mayor, FASD advocate, Sudbury Pauline McKaay, AHBHC and FASD coordinator, Mattagami First Nation Charlene Meekis, AHBHC coordinator, Deer Lake First Nation Donna Meeseetawageesic, parent, Eabametoong First Nation Lucy Meeseetawageesic, FASD coordinator, Eabametoong First Nation Cynthia Moonias, AHBHC and FASD coordinator, Neskantaga First Nation Michelle Perron, AHBHC, Ontario Native Women’s Association Pauline Shirt, Elder, Toronto Lily Slipperjack Elvira Strang Beverly Sutherland Jake Swamp, Elder Members of the Aboriginal advisory group 2 A CHILD BECOMES STRONG: Journeying Through Each Stage Of The Life Cycle Table of Contents How to Use this Manual ..........................................................................................................................................5 Understanding the Life Cycle through the Medicine Wheel ..................................................................................6 The Seven Stages of Life .........................................................................................................................................9 The Seven Grandfathers Teachings .........................................................................................................................12 The Life Cycle ...........................................................................................................................................................13 Pregnancy .................................................................................................................................................................15 Babies (Birth to 12 months)......................................................................................................................................20 Toddlers (13 months to 2 years) ...............................................................................................................................25 Children (2 to 7 years) ..............................................................................................................................................28 Youth (7 to 11 years) ................................................................................................................................................31 Young Adults (11 to 18) ............................................................................................................................................34 Parents .....................................................................................................................................................................37 Grandparents............................................................................................................................................................44 Elders........................................................................................................................................................................46 Resources for Your Aboriginal Clients .....................................................................................................................47 Useful Websites and Services .................................................................................................................................50 References ...............................................................................................................................................................52 A CHILD BECOMES STRONG: Journeying Through Each Stage Of The Life Cycle A CHILD BECOMES STRONG: Journeying Through Each Stage Of The Life Cycle 3 DISCLAIMER This document has been prepared with funds provided by the Government of Ontario. The information herein reflects the views of the authors and is not officially endorsed by the Government of Ontario. The resources and programs cited throughout this guide are not necessarily endorsed by the Best Start Resource Centre or the Government of Ontario. While the participation of the advisory committee and key informants was critical to the development of this Best Start resource, final decisions about content were made by the Best Start Resource Centre. USE OF THIS RESOURCE The Best Start Resource Centre thanks you for your interest in, and support of, our work. Best Start permits others to copy, distribute or reference the work for non-commercial purposes on condition that full credit is given. Because our resources are designed to support local health promotion initiatives, we would appreciate knowing how this resource has supported, or been integrated into, your work ([email protected]). CITATION Best Start Resource Centre (2010). A Child Becomes Strong: Journeying Through Each Stage of the Life Cycle. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 4 A CHILD BECOMES STRONG: Journeying Through Each Stage Of The Life Cycle How to Use this Manual As our awareness and knowledge of our First Nations cultures and traditions grows, so does our honour and respect for these traditional ways. We created this manual to offer culturally specific teachings and information about First Nations child development/child rear- ing. It focuses on First Nations in Ontario. We developed this manual for a range of service providers who work with young First Nations families. This manual has information about: • First Nations child rearing practices; • developmental milestones; • healthy child development issues that are specific to First Nations people; • strategies to promote healthy child development; and • how parents can be positive role models. This is all done within a First Nations context. It speaks to the wholistic approach to supporting families and provides supportive strategies for each family member at various stages of the life cycle. We wrote this in a way that is strength-based. We try to respect a diversity of cultural values and beliefs. First Nations people led this project. The researcher/writers, key informants, advisory group, and Elders are all of First Nations heritage. The informa- tion in this manual only represents a small collection of the many cultural teachings that exist. As First Nations people, we use our environment to explain life. Our cultural teachings vary from nation to nation and from one geographic region to another, just as the environment differs. Our hope is that this manual will increase: • awareness of how First Nations children develop, from a traditional perspective; and • the practice and acceptance of traditional ways of helping children to develop, such as naming ceremonies, drumming, and fasting. We structured the manual around the life cycle teachings and broke it down into each stage of life. Many of these teachings were passed on through key informants. Although we created this manual focusing on families with young children, we include all the developmental stages of life to reflect a wholistic perspective of family wellness. WHO SHOULD USE THIS MANUAL? THIS MANUAL IS USEFUL FOR PEOPLE SUCH AS: • Counsellors • Doctors • Early childhood educators • Midwives • Nurses • Program managers • Teachers We wrote this manual for service providers who have a role in supporting healthy child development in First Nations children. A CHILD BECOMES STRONG: Journeying Through Each Stage Of The Life Cycle A CHILD BECOMES STRONG: