“From the dancer we learned that we’re better together,
a big human family for now and forever.”
For March/April 2023, and in honour of the International Day of Happiness (March 20), International Day of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (March 21), and World Book Day (April 23), we are excited to introduce Teddy Anderson’s book, “The Medicine Wheel: Stories of a Hoop Dancer.” This book encourages inclusion and belonging through the power of storytelling. In this story, a Mooshum (grandfather) is telling his grandson stories. Through these stories, other children from around the world also come to listen, and they learn the importance of embracing all cultures and people, while learning how to live in a more balanced and harmonious way.
Educational Activities
Dance
Attend a pow wow with children to watch hoop dancers and learn about various Indigenous cultures and dances. When an intertribal song is announced, that means that everyone can join in and dance.
Music
Play Indigenous music while children move to creatively express themselves.
Visual Arts
Talk about the history of the medicine wheel and create a personal medicine wheel with the children that describes how they might bring balance and harmony to the areas in their life: physical, emotional, spiritual and mental.
Storytelling
Invite elders or hoop dancers to share their stories with the children.
About the Author (from Amazon.ca)
Teddy Anderson is a multicultural individual who grew up in Red Deer, Alberta. He was given the sacred permission to perform, teach and share the traditional Hoop Dance while at the Red Deer Aboriginal Dance Troupe and has since continued his training with Lakota hoop dancer Kevin Locke. Teddy and his family have been adopted into the Tagish/Carcross First Nations. Teddy belongs to the Deishitaan clan and was given the name Yéił S’aaghí (Crow Bones).
About the Illustrator (from Amazon.ca)
Rumor has it that Jessika von Innerebner and was born with a crayon in her hand. An illustrator with a passion for color and comedy, she can draw her way out of almost anything! What she loves most is bringing engaging visuals to child-oriented projects. Jessika started her career at age seventeen and has worked on colorful, creative ideas for Disney, Pixar, Atomic Cartoons and Fisher Price. Jessika lives in Kelowna, British Columbia.
