Aamjiwnaang dad makes moss bag for baby
By Chochi Knott
AAMJIWNAANG FN — The Union of Ontario Indians FASD Program continually tries to engage our fathers with the workshops we deliver.
The father is a family protector and provider, and can also care for the umbilical cord.
Our May 14th “Teachings for a Healthy Pregnancy: Moss Bag Workshop” was extra special as our first father in the Southeast and Southwest Anishinabek regions completed a moss bag for his baby. James Adams and partner Stephanie Carriere worked together in learning the teachings that this workshop gives, both cared for their son Waasnode throughout the day and gave the time and love for the betterment of their family.
Creation of the moss bag is a full-day session in which parents learn how to wrap babies to ensure longer and more comfortable sleeping. It was wonderful to witness this couple working together to restore Anishinabek tradition and create a balanced future for their child’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.
It was exactly the type of role-modelling Anishinabek Nation families need to see.
The “Teachings for a Healthy Pregnancy: Moss Bag Workshop” takes a traditional approach on pregnancy. Participants learn about Anishinabek teachings related to caring for the baby, mother and family, including what the mother should eat, prevention of alcohol and tobacco use and how we can teach our future generations to live with our culture instead of having to retrieve so much later on.
Chochi Knott is an FASD educator for Southeast and Southwest Regions of the Anishinabek Nation. She works out of the Curve Lake First nation office of the Union of Ontario Indians.