Daycare Land-Based Unit on the Mooz (moose)
Land-based Lead, Michael Abitong, and Elder in The School, Patrick Wenigwans, provided knowledge to Daycare friends on September 18th about the mooz (moose). Daycare staff gathered the children to help them get dressed for the outdoor activity which included everyone wearing a bright orange vest. This safety feature is of utmost importance to keep everyone visible and accounted for when accessing the woods. Gathered around the newly built fire circle, (miigwech to Merle and Michael Abitong for constructing the benches and site for daycare to use for land-based teachings), the children listened intently as Michael provided age-appropriate information about moose, their habitat, moose calls, and characteristics.
Moose can call from five miles away, Michael informed the young learners. He and Patrick demonstrated both the cow and bull (moose) calls, answering one another while they hid amongst the brushery, adding an authentic twist. Using real antlers, they demonstrated the sounds and actions of a bull moose scraping or ‘raking’ the tree branches with his antlers when he is disturbed or threatened. Then, Michael, clacking and locking the antlers together simulated how the animal fights or protects itself in the wild. Our young Daycare friends were intrigued by the entire scene, which Michael and Patrick had brought to life in front of them, and they showed interest in touching the large antlers and reenacting Michael's demonstrations themselves.
Michael and Patrick, along with Daycare educators, showed the young friends the tools; wiigwaas (birchbark) to make a wiigwaas moose call, with a finished model on hand for them to hold and explore. The students made their own personal moose call by rolling a paper cone and securing it with tape. This provided a fun, interactive tool for the kids to practice calling with, and there was soon a symphony of moaning moose calls. They were apji niishin (very good) at it! “Ready for Fall Harvest”, joked Michael. The Elder, Patrick, felt certain there could be a moose visiting the daycare area that same evening.
Time next for some exercise and bush exploration on the sunny, autumn day. Michael and Merle have also cleared a wonderful walking trail in the bush behind the daycare. It’s a circular route over uneven terrain and alongside rotted stumps, perfect for insect viewing, and giant, 80-year-oldpine trees. Michael stops the group of adventurers to look up and admire the tree’s size and age, planting the mental seeds for future recognition and knowledge. A call from a moose was heard while everyone was on the walk, stopping everyone in their tracks to listen intently as to which direction it came from. Returning back to the skoode (fire) circle, Michael used a puppetry tool to introduce students to various animals and their Anishinaabemowin name, such as:
· Migizii (eagle), who looks after everyone from the sky,
· Mooz (moose)
· Bezhigoogzhii (horse)
· Mi’iingan (wolf)
· Makwa (bear)
· Animosh (dog)
· Mnidoonsag (insects)
The outdoor lesson concluded then, but the children used their moose call long afterwards, demonstrating their interest and ability.
Time to enjoy some play time on the gloriously sunny day, and maybe a snack with friends too. Miigwech to Michael and Patrick for providing this informative and impactful land-based unit.
