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CONNECTIONS - Cultural Awareness resources for First Nation, Métis & Inuit children, youth and their caregivers. Each month we spotlight a new theme and include resources, related activities and upcoming traditional events. We hope that caregivers use this newsletter as a tool to learn together with the children and youth in their care. This is a great resource for all families so don't forget to share with friends, family and community!
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First Nations Child & Family Caring Society Spirit Bear’s 2026 Pumpkin Carving Contest!
From October 1 to October 31, 2026
| | Children and youth are invited to share photos of bear-themed pumpkin carvings or decorations. Send pictures of your creations to info@fncaringsociety.com to enter the contest. If you share your pumpkin masterpiece on social media, be sure to tag the Caring Society in your post. Most importantly, have fun, get creative, and show off your beary best work! | | |
OCTOBER SPOTLIGHT
Traditional Indigenous Dances
Did you know? Traditional dances can tell stories, celebrate important events, connect people to culture, and share traditions from one generation to the next. In this edition, we’re exploring some of the many traditional dances of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. If you like dancing, make sure and watch the videos and learn how to do some of these traditional dance moves yourself!
| Inuit Drum Dancing is a traditional cultural performance combining a large frame drum, storytelling songs, and rhythmic body movements to connect with ancestors and community. During a drum dance, the performer lightly bends his or her knees, leaning slightly forward. The drum, or qilaat, is lifted and lowered in different directions. | YouTube Video - Inuk Dancer Teaches Drum Dancing for Kids | CBC Kids. Kids learn about Drum Dancing and Inuit culture from Inuk dancer Paul. Learn to Dance the Inuit Drum Dance Here | The Métis jig is a traditional, high-energy dance that is accompanied by fiddle tunes and combines First Nations footwork with Scottish, Irish, and French-Canadian step-dancing. | YouTube Video - What Is Métis Jigging? Learn About The Culture and Dance!|CBC Kids Dancer Riley teach us about Métis culture and jigging in this fun segment for kids.
Learn to Dance the Jig Here | |
YouTube Read Aloud
Métis Like Me by Tasha Hilderman, illustrated by Risa Hugo, is a joyful and inclusive picture book that celebrates Métis culture through the voices of children. Each child shares how they connect with their heritage—through traditional foods like bannock and Saskatoon berries, crafting with beads, storytelling, music, and dance.
Watch and Listen Here
| First Nation Jingle Dance | The Jingle Dress Dance is a beautiful First Nations dance known for the jingling sound made by metal cones sewn onto a dancer’s dress. The dance has a special history connected to healing, strength and community. | YouTube Video - Learn About Jingle Dress Dance for Kids | CBC Kids Learn the origins of jingle dress dancing and some basic steps! Learn to Dance the Jingle Dance Here | |
YouTube Read Aloud
Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith : An Affirming Story About Indigenous Jingle Dancing, Family Sharing, and Cultural Tradition for Kids (Ages 4-8)
Jenna loves the tradition of jingle dancing that has been shared over generations in her family. She hopes to dance at the next powwow. But with the day quickly approaching, she has a problem—how will her dress sing if it has no jingles?
Watch and Listen Here
| The First Nation's Fancy Dance is a lively and energetic powwow dance known for its fast footwork, colourful regalia and quick movements. Dancers often move to the beat of the drum with spins, jumps and fancy steps. | Youtube Video - How To Fancy Dance For Kids | CBC Kids Anishinaabe Fancy Dancer Joshua shows Janaye how Fancy Dancing is done! Learn some of high energy dance moves!
Learn to Dance the Fancy Dance Here | | Pre-order Spirit Bear's Guide to Reconciliation 2027 Calendar! | Available in both English and French, calendars are $20 (+tax). Shipping included. All proceeds go towards helping ensure First Nations kids can grow up safely at home, get a good education, and be healthy and proud of who they are. Pre-Order Here |
| Reminder! November is Indigenous
Disability Month! | | | | Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) is recognized every November to celebrate the achievements, contributions, and lived experiences of Indigenous persons with disabilities while raising awareness of the systemic and jurisdictional barriers they continue to face. Originating in British Columbia, IDAM has grown into a broader movement recognized by provinces, First Nations leadership, and organizations across Canada. | | INDIGENOUS EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN/YOUTH | | ALIGN's Cultural Awareness Program Directory for Indigenous Children and Youth in Alberta is designed to help agencies, caregivers, families and service providers connect Indigenous children and youth with meaningful cultural based extra-curricular activities. | | |
The directory brings together programs and services from across Alberta that offer Indigenous children and youth the opportunities to learn more about Indigenous culture, traditions, languages, history, arts, music and community connections and more!
If you offer or know of additional extra-curricular activities, please email starrd@alignab.ca so we can add them to the directory.
| | ALIGN’s Indigenous Games & Activities directory for children and youth is free to download and is packed with links to First Nation, Metis and Inuit online activities, video games, board games, outdoor games, online coloring pages and more! | |
Both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous children and youth alike will enjoy these games and activities and benefit from gaining a further understanding of Indigenous culture and traditions through play.
Just updated to include First Nations Child & Family Caring Society FREE Spirit Bear in 3D: Bear Shares 2.0 Officially LIVE!
Please share with your friends, family, schools and community!
| FOR CAREGIVER/PROFESSIONAL | | |
New Program! Mentoring Youth and Young Adults in and from Care (MYYAC)
In partnership with the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Mentoring Partnership, 10 funded agencies across Edmonton, Calgary, and Lethbridge will offer youth and young adults access to group-based life skills session and monthly social connection events. The program is specifically designed for young people ages 16–30 who have current or recent involvement with Child Intervention, the Transition to Adulthood Program (TAP), or Advancing Futures. Learn More
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NEW: Foundations of Mentoring
The Foundations of Mentoring training is designed for adult mentors and adults who support youth mentoring programs. Ready to access Canada's updated national mentor training? This is a free, self-paced online course developed in partnership with AMP & Mentor Canada. Learn More
| | ALIGN Webinar - CONNECTIONS FIRST: Using Natural Supports to STrengthen Social Connection and Wellbeing | | Natural Supports are relationships and informal networks that help individuals, families, and communities thrive. Come learn more about how we all play a critical role in building naturally supportive communities rooted in belonging.
Online November 25, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | | ALIGN'S PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES | | |
SUBMISSIONS - If you have cultural events, programs, activities or resources that you'd like to share or if you'd like to suggest newsletter content ideas or things you'd like to see more of, please send an email to starrd@alignab.ca
Subject Line - CONNECTIONS SUBMISSION
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