How will you know who was here before us?
Taking time to explore the actions of land kinship through the original caretakers of this land, your contribution to First Nations will include stencilling one of four moccasin identifiers that linguistically represent Ontario: Cree, Anishnaabe, Huron-Wendat, Seneca. Consider this an act of Treaty relations; we are all Treaty people. You will also consider the deeper connections you have to the land through verbal and written sharing on cue cards which ask “Does the land have spirit? Is the land alive?”
Moccasin Identifier (MI) was founded by Carolyn King in 2011, in partnership with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Ontario’s Greenbelt, to promote public awareness of Indigenous relationship to land.
Researched and designed by Carolyn King and artist Philip Cote from the extensive collection at the Bata Shoe Museum, the moccasin stencils were chosen as the symbol for marking First Nation presence on the lands and waters.
Additionally, MI has developed Education Kits (units of study) for grades 1 through 8; each kit builds on the learning needed to understand Treaty and Indigenous awareness in relation to Canadian settler history. These activities are powerful intergenerational tools for learning, both in and outside the classroom. For more information on the Moccasin Identifier project, units of study, and the stencil kits, please visit their website: moccasinidentifier.com.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL NEEDS
- Pencil, pen, or markers
- Chalk markers or chalk spray-paint
- Sidewalk paint
- Mini-roller
- Paint brushes
HOW TO MAKE SIDEWALK CHALK PAINT
- Mix 1 cup cornstarch and 1 cup water until smooth. Divide evenly into separate containers. Add 3-4 drops of food colouring to each container. Mix until combined. Apply with a wide paintbrush or mini-roller.
* We encourage purchasing and making paints and sprays that are washable, ecofriendly, and non-toxic!
Suggested Age/Grade
K-12, Families, Intergenerational
Curriculum Links
The Arts, English, Social Studies, History, Geography, Environmental Studies, Science, First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies.
Learning Outcomes
- Reflect on and understand what it means to be in kinship with the land;
- Advocate awareness of the Original Caretakers of this land;
- Explore the interrelationships between the land and the living history of the First Peoples of Canada
Downloadable Content:
- Cue Cards (Web Version)
- Cue Cards (Printable One-Pager)
- Editorial Sheet (Printer-friendly Version)
About the Contributors
Carolyn King, C.M. is the former elected Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the founder of the Moccasin Identifi er. She has over 25 years of work experience in the community economic development f i eld, and over 14 years as a First Nation employee in the Consultation and Outreach offi ce.
Image Credit: Painted stencil of a Cree Moccasin. Photo courtesy of the Moccasin Identifier.