Cultural Kits

The Fraser Region Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Network is proud to announce a newly developed cultural resource for children ages 0 -6: the Cultural Cedar Kit project.

The Cedar Kits were developed by Coqualeetza Cultural Education Center and funded by Success By 6.

Items in the Cedar Cultural Kits:

Cedar Cultural Resource kits for FRAECD Network Books:

  1. The Uses of Cedar
  2. The Sacred Cedar Tree
  3. Sto:lo Interaction (two books)
  4. Solomon's Tree (Childrens Books)

Interactive Materials and props:

  1. Animal Puppets
  2. Cedar Dressed Doll
  3. Drum & Drum Stick
  4. Cedar Rattle
  5. Paddle Clappers 2 sets
  6. Cedar Sticks (10 sets)
  7. Slahal Bones (10 sets) with Guide
  8. Cedar Bark Basket
  9. Cedar headband (Doll size)
  10. CD with Halq’emeylem Language & songs
  11. Raffiea Headband
  12. Cedar Box
  13. Blanket
  14. Tree Puppet
  15. Additional hands on items

Items in the Cedar Cultural Kits:

  1. Manual: includes protocol regarding Cedar

Material list

  1. Interactive Books & Activities
  2. The story of the Cedar Tree
  3. Who took the berries from the berry basket
  4. A Cedar Story
  5. Cedar Language book
  6. Animal mask template
  7. Halq’emeylem Language CD

  

  

  

  

  

 Monday June 22nd, 2009

"Honouring Ceremony"

Honouring the completion of the Fraser Region Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Culture Cedar Kits

Cheryl Gabriel and Lekeyten of Kwantlen First Nation hosted the Honouring Ceremony on behalf of the Fraser Region Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Network.

The Fraser Region Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Network honoured the cultural cedar kit contractor, Coqualeeza Cultural Education Centre and the Fraser Region Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Network’s Cultural Committee and the funders, Success By 6 Eastern Fraser Valley.  Success By 6 sent their regrets.

Coqualeeza’s Manager, Darwin Douglas, Christine Point and Christine’s driver, Bruce Douglas were blanketed with a red blanket with two feathers on it along with a bundle of tobacco in red cloth.

The Fraser Region Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Network’s Cultural Committee Members were Tina Thomlinson of Langley Child Development Centre, Carmen Pereda of Spuzzum First Nation and Paula Tait, Network Coordinator were also blanketed with a red blanket with two feathers on it and with a bundle of tobacco in red cloth as well.

Before Lekeyten’s Honour Song, each attendee were asked to share words of the work that was completed.  This started from the left side of the circle, representing the closing.

The honourer’s were honoured with an Honour Song by Lekeyten.

During the song, in a circle, the attendees walked to the left and shook hands with all honourer’s.

In closing, Lakeyten and Cheryl shared their words and the ceremony ended.

 

 

 From the Right: Carmen Pereda, Paula Tait, Darwin Douglas, Christine Point and Bruce Douglas

 

From the Right: Lekeyten, Cheryl Gabriel, Carmen Pereda, Paula Tait, Darwin Douglas, Christine Point,  Bruce Douglas and Tina Thomlinson

 

Hey chu qa Siem

 

Cultural Cedar Kits were distributed to the following Agencies:

1) Spuzzum First Nation, shared with Boston Bar and Boothroyd

2) Chehalis

3) Seabird Island, shared with Scowlitz, Showhamel, Cheam and Skwah

4) Mission Future Four Nations Aboriginal Head Start

5) Katzie First Nation

6) Langley Child Development Center

7) Kwantlen First Nation

8) Sumas First Nation

9) Sto:lo Nation

10) Fraser Valley Child Development Centre, shared with Mission, Abbotsford and Chilliwack

11) Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living

12) Kla-How-Eya Aboriginal Centre

13) Tsawwassen First Nation

14) Spirit of the Children

15) Centre for Ability

16) Simon Fraser Society for Community Living (yet to recieve Cedar Kit)

The Fraser Region Aboriginal ECD Network's Vision

The network’s vision is that Aboriginal children and families, regardless of where they live across the Fraser Region, embrace and practice their culture; that they have access to a full range of culturally appropriate early childhood development services that will in turn foster and enhance their ablity to reach their maximum potential.