Connecting Children to Indigenous Cultures- Minnesota Public Radio Feature

This is a reposted blog from Minnesota Public Radio Early Risers: A Podcast from Little Moments Count. Early Risers is a podcast from Little Moments Count and MPR with frank facts, engaging stories and real how-tos for anyone who cares about raising children with a clear-eyed understanding of cultural differences, race and implicit bias. Hosted by Dianne Haulcy of Think Small.

The full podcast and feature can be found here: Connecting Children to Indigenous Cultures | Minnesota Public Radio (mpr.org)

Hannah Smith, Jingle Dress Dancer. Photo by Sarah Agaton Howes

In schools and old children’s books, Native people are often talked about in terms of history. But Brook LaFloe has been creating toys and teaching tools to connect all children to contemporary Native culture in an authentic and respectful way. In this conversation with podcast host Dianne Haulcy, Brook shares the traditional Anishinaabe teachings she learned about race and respect. And she shares how caregivers from all cultural backgrounds can adopt this approach to race and help their children connect with indigenous cultures.

Resources:

Niniijaanis company website: https://niniijaanis1of1s.com

Bow Wow Pow Wow: https://shop.mnhs.org/products/bowwow-powwow

Ninisidawenimaag: Ojibwe Language Series for Kids: https://www.riverfeetpress.com/product-page/ninisidawenimaag

Minnesota based publisher of books by and about Anishinaabe people: http://www.blackbearsandblueberries.com/bookstore.html

Minnesota Indian Education Association: https://minnesotaindianeducation.org/miea/