For some Nations, July is known as the Moulting Moon. It’s a busy month with families out on the land—gathering, camping, celebrating, and harvesting. In some territories, moose take refuge in rivers and lakes from biting insects. By the end of July, Saskatoon berries and low-bush cranberries are ready to harvest.
It’s also canoe journey time! Coastal communities are preparing their large ocean-going canoes and canoe families for the annual Tribal Canoe Journey. Canoe families travel the waters, joined by others along the way, pulling together until they reach their destination. Since time immemorial, ocean-going canoes have been vital for sustenance, transport, ceremony, and social connection along the Northwest Pacific Coast.
Learn more: https://www.allnationspaddlesup.com/
Every July, thousands of paddlers participate in the Tribal Canoe Journey. The first journey was part of Expo 86, and the first Qatuwas (Heiltsuk for ‘people gathering together’) in 1993 helped establish this now-annual tradition. The resurgence of Indigenous canoe cultures is a powerful example of adaptation, resilience, and transformation over time.
Canoe families travel together, joined by neighboring families, until they reach the host community. Witnessing an ocean full of canoes waiting to come ashore to share food, lodging, drumming, and singing is unforgettable. Rich protocols are observed, with songs, dances, and regalia.
Canoe journeys reconnect youth with land, sea, and ancient practices. Check out this beautiful resource on the seven fundamental truths from Knowledge Keepers that have guided coastal nations for thousands of years.
Nunavut Day – July 5th
Nunavut Day celebrates the signing of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement. It’s a statutory holiday, and many Inuit people celebrate by spending time out on the land.
Did you know Nunavut has seven AHS programs? If your program wants to connect for cultural sharing, contact Michelle Gravelle, ECE Specialist: michelle.ahsabc.com.
Fish Harvesting Prince Rupert AHS
Plan July programming around community activities, land-based experiences, outdoor play, and cultural crafts. Include outdoor celebrations and physical activities with children, Elders, and families.
To support Inuit cultural programming, try sending home recipes and ingredients, serving traditional Inuit foods at the centre, and offering books focused on life in the Arctic. Indigenous foods in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories are known as ‘Country Foods.’
Do you have ‘Country Food’ recipes at your centre to share or send home?
Art center
Add new materials to the art centre and bring art outdoors. Include rocks, twigs, flowers, driftwood, colored paper, and cellophane for children to create with.
Craft/ Sensory
Host craft and sensory time outdoors, even during rain with a covered area. Children can dehydrate flowers dehydrate flowers, create dyes from garden plants, and use them for outdoor projects.
Nature-Inspired Projects
Create bookmarks, placemats, or nameplates with children using dried flowers and clear adhesive or by ironing. Involve Elders and Knowledge Keepers to add words in traditional languages or syllabics.
Birch Bark Canoes
Gather birch to make birch bark canoes. Take children to a local stream to float their creations. Ready-to-make kits are available:
Birchbark Canoe Kit: https://www.ed-digenoustraditions.ca/indigenouslearningkits/birchbarkcanoe/
Teepee Kit: https://www.ed-digenoustraditions.ca/indigenouslearningkits/tipi/
Invite Elders to create canoes with children and go on a walk to float them.
Health Promotion
Invite an Elder, Knowledge Keeper, or Indigenous chef to demonstrate how to cut wild meat and fish for children. They can learn about different fish parts and where fish eggs are stored—an excellent outdoor activity. See this skills resource here.
Elders can also prepare fish eggs for tasting. Children can learn how to dehydrate fruits and vegetables such as berries and corn. Send home apple chips and benefits of dried fruits. Order Indigenous-produced apple chips from Okanagan here: https://bebiachofoods.ca/
Harvest dandelions with Elders in pesticide-free areas. Use them to make tea, cake, and jelly.
Recipes of the Month
Arctic Char In A Bannock Blanket
Akutaq Recipe: A Traditional Inuit Delicacy (culinarybite.com)
“Country Foods” Link:
AYAYA | NTI Nunavut Day Cookbook
Indigenous Food Resources:
Arctic Char:
https://www.firstfish.ca/product-page/arctic-char-fillets https://authenticindigenousseafood.ca/product/wild-arctic-char-cold-smoked/
Crow Berries:
Elderberries/ birch syrup/ fir syrup, cedar, chaga, balsam , cloud berries:
https://www.wildfoods.ca/collections/syrups-honey/products/storesyrups-and-honeybalsam-fir-syrup
Indigenous Spice mixes with traditional ingredients:
https://www.signelocal.com/en/products/melange-abenaki
Science Topics for July
Take science outdoors! Plan plant identification and traditional medicine walks. Each AHS site received the book Medicines to Help Us: Traditional Métis Plant Use. You can also use a Squamish resource card deck and this resource and educator’s guide
Most importantly, connect with local Elders for a medicine walk and teachings. Always follow your community’s traditional protocols.
Playful Additions
Bring the blocks/ construction materials outdoors on a picnic blanket for children to add items from nature as they feel inspired to.
Innovative Idea: Conayt AHS
Created a nature inspired sorting area for the 3-5 program.
Dramatic Play Area
Add a real canoe or build one out of boxes . Include paddles, nets, crab pots, shells, and other marine items. Let children pretend to cook food they ‘caught.’
Innovative Idea: Sas Natsadle Preschool
Elder Shirley created an outdoor fire using recycled materials. Children helped build the pretend fire, learned fire safety, and roasted marshmallows as a treat.
Art Outdoors
Hang paper, canvas, or fabric on fences or lay it on picnic tables and blankets. Use natural items, glue, spray bottles, large brushes, and sponges.
Host Indigenous artisans—carvers, basket makers—for children to observe. Provide materials like clay, canvas, soap, and sticks for them to mimic the techniques.
Reading Area Outdoors
Create a quiet reading space with a teepee, tarp, or canvas tent filled with pillows and books.
- Sweetgrass by Theresa Meuse
- Our traditional medicines – Kwakwaka’wakw
- Smudging and the Four Sacred Medicines by Sandra Samatte
- Plants of Nunavut by Carolyn Mallory
- Can you hear the plants speak? by Nicholas Hummingbird
Outdoor Ideas
Invite an Elder or Knowledge Keeper to demonstrate how to stretch a hide being prepared throughout the summer.
Educator Resources:
- https://eceworkshopbc.com/course/enhancing-childrens-learning-through-outdoor-play/
- https://outdoorlearning.com/event/indigenous-teachings/
- https://jointhewildlife.ca/
- https://www.ahsabc.com/resources/
- Early Childhood Educators – Child and Nature Alliance of Canada (childnature.ca) –EA_indigenous-games-for-children-en.pdf (csf.bc.ca)
Circle time
Hold circle time in different outdoor environments—playground, park, lake, or traditional sites. Use the environment to inspire activities and songs.
Innovative Idea: Aboriginal Mother Centre
Bring outdoor elements inside to create a display in the indoor circle area.
Literacy
Offer books on harvesting, hunting, fishing, seasonal celebrations, and Indigenous history and culture.
Innovative Idea: Tsebalos AHS
Grade 6 students read to younger children to build connection and mentorship.
Parent Involvement
Create a parent board with family photos of their favorite summer activity. Invite parents to lead an outdoor activity each week.
Bring in guest speakers—public health nurses, Coast Guard, or Elders—to teach water and sun safety.
Offer a sun safety package with a hat, hypoallergenic sunscreen, and sun facts. Support parents in accessing boating safety courses..
Outreach / Activity kits
Build a lending library with sensory bins, playdough kits, outdoor toys, books, family games, and baking kits. Include supplies for pine needle basketry, bird feeders, beading, and dreamcatchers.
Send home produce from the garden with recipes and nutritional facts.
Seasonal Celebration Ideas
- Host a special day to celebrate summer:
- Outdoor family movie night or cultural performance
- Traditional skills demos: moose hide prep, canning, medicine drying, smoked salmon on cedar
- Outdoor fire gathering with stories and traditional foods
- Family games day: sack races, tug of war, Métis cart races, string/hand games, canoe races, teepee building contests.
Outdoor Family Days
- Organize summer outings for children, families, and Elders:
- Beach, lake, or river day
- Whale watching
- Community garden visit
- Berry or medicine gathering trip
- Historical site visit
- Attend a pow wow, festival, or jamboree
Lofty Ideas
Decorate your loft as a canoe. Add nets, sea creatures, paddles, fishing gear, life jackets, and hats for imaginative play.
Elder Steven Cockney Sr demonstrating Inuit Games
Elder Involvement
Invite Elders and Knowledge Keepers to demonstrate skills during the day or special evening events. Record and share videos or create books/CDs to send home.
Teach children how to braid sweetgrass and dry tobacco, sage, and cedar.
Resources for Older Siblings
Aboriginal Head Start Programs are a place for Intergenerational Wellness. Educators offer resources and information to support the whole family.
- Indigenous Youth Justice Toolkit: https://static1.squarespace.com/…/INDIGENOUS+YOUTH+JUSTICE+TOOLKIT.pdf
- Moon Teachings: https://passthefeather.ca/moon-teachings/
- Moon Time Prayer (2nd ed): https://www.strongnations.com/store/11334/
- Traditional Knowledge: https://www.kanawayhitowin.ca/?page_id=187