Learning Story – Creating a Bushkids Prayer
The Week of December 17th, 2024
What Happened?
The Bushkids were so resilient today in the face of such cold weather! We are so proud of how they know how to take care of themselves and each other in these very cold temperatures. It takes practice and dedication and they shined today!
Today, the inquiry was ‘why do people gather together to have feasts?’
“It’s fun!”
“We play games.”
“It shows respect.”
We discussed how we can share who we are and where we come from in the languages we know and that we are learning.
The educators have been learning Tłı̨chǫ Yatıı̀ for a couple of years now. During our last class, we decided to work on creating a Bushkids prayer. Today we read the first part, and the Bushkids each said what they were grateful for in Tłı̨chǫ Yatıı̀.
Se Nǫ̀htsı̨ dı̀ı dzęę̀ k’e gok’ènendı̀.
Hazǫǫ̀ ha ması̀ nets’ı̨ı̨whǫ
gòet’ı̨ı̨ = our families
gokǫ̀ = our homes
gonèk’e = our land
tı = water
kǫ̀ = fire
nı̨hts’ı = air
tı̨ts’aàdı̀ı = animals
ı̨t’ǫ̀ą dehshee = plants
hazǫǫ̀ ha wet’à ts’eęda.
Hotı hǫt’e nı̨dè.
Why is it Important?
“Bushkids aims to support healthy relationships with ourselves, each other, and the Land.” It is important to us that the Bushkids know that their educators care about their lives. We want to foster connection, and to do this, we understand the value of creating space and time to get to know each other and each other’s families. Modeling how to build a strong, supportive community, will prepare the Bushkids to do the same in the communities they are a part of now or will be as they get older.
What Does This Mean For Next Time?
We will be more intentional about gathering together more often. Inviting families and friends to see and connect with what we do at Bushkids is an important part of our program. We loved having all of you join us today and wish you all a wonderful holiday season. Much love from the Bushkids Team!