Image from Giving Thanks by Chief Swamp
Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message
by Mohawk Chief Jake Swamp
"Giving Thanks is a Native American good morning message that shows the Mohawk belief that the natural world is precious and that it is important to show gratitude everyday for everything that helps sustain and bring joy to life.Thank you mother earth, twinkling stars, morning dew, green grass, good foods, berries, fruits, medicine, animals, trees, birds, moon, water, thunder, sun, ancient spirits, and most of all GREAT SPIRIT for giving us everything we need to be healthy and happy everyday."
Scholastic & PBS present: Giving Thanks in Mohawk and English.
Scholastic & PBS present: Giving Thanks in Mohawk and English.
Thanksgiving Prayer Service 2015
We enjoyed a blessed day filled with support and joy as we took some time to thank God for the many gifts of life. Thank you parents and family friends for all your support.
Special thanks to Miss Vicky for photographing the event.
Thanksgiving Assignment
(due date: Monday November 23, preferred date November 20th)
Each kindergartener and their family are asked to illustrate one section of the Giving Thanks: Morning Message. This "illustration" will be presented at the prayer service on November 26. In addition, your child should be prepared to recite their assigned section of the poem at the prayer service. Please refer to the section below to identify your child's assigned reading. I have placed your child's initials next to their section.
The illustration should be illustrated on half of a poster 12’’ x 16’’ average. Please do not bring larger posters, they are difficult for children to hold.
The illustration should be illustrated on half of a poster 12’’ x 16’’ average. Please do not bring larger posters, they are difficult for children to hold.
Giving Thanks, by: Chief Swamp
Assigned readings
1. To be human being is an honor, and we offer thanksgiving for all the gifts of life. All KINDERGARTEN
2. Mother Earth, we thank you for giving us everything we need. #1 M.A. & I. R. 3. Thank you, deep blue waters around Mother Earth, #2 D.A. 4. for you are the force that takes thirst away from all living things. # 3 H.C. & Z. R. 5. We give thanks to green grasses that feel so good against our bare feet, #4 U.C. & I. S. 6. for the cool beauty you bring to Mother Earth's floor. #5 E.D. 7. Thank you, good foods from Mother Earth, for making us happy when we are hungry. #6 V.D. 8. Fruits and berries, we thank you for your color and sweetness. #7 I.F. & J. S. 9. We are all thankful to good medicine herbs, for healing us when we are sick. #8 A.G. 10. Thank you, all the animals in the world, for keeping our precious forests clean. #9 W. S. 11. All the trees in the world, we are thankful for the shade and warmth you give us. #10 R.G. 12. Thank you, all the birds in the world, for singing your beautiful songs for all to enjoy. #11 J. J. & A. W. |
13. We give thanks to you, gentle Four Winds, #12 M. M. 14. for bringing clean air for us to breathe from four directions. #13 E. M. 15. Thank you Grandfather Thunder Beings for bringing rains to help all living things grow. #14 M. M. & N. V. 16. Elder Brother Sun, we send thanks for shining your light and warming Mother Earth. #16 G. M. 17. Thank you, Grandmother Moon, for growing full every month. #17 M. M. 18. Moon you light the darkness for children and sparkling waters. #18 A. N. 19. We give thanks, twinkling stars, for making the night sky so beautiful # 19 J. O. 20. and for sprinkling morning dew drops on the plants. # 20 E. P. 21. Spirit Protectors of our past and present, we thank you #21 J. R. & J. R. 22. for showing us ways to live in peace and harmony with one another. #22 S. R. 23. And most of all, thank you, Great Spirit, for giving us all these wonderful gifts, #23 M.Z. 24. so we will be happy and healthy every day and every night. #24 I. Z. |
St. Helen School Kindergarten Examples- 2014
Thanksgiving Prayer Service songs
(Wednesday November 25th, 9am)
(Wednesday November 25th, 9am)
Please practice the following songs with your children in order to help them prepare for the Thanksgiving prayer service: 1)We Praise you God, 2) If I were a Butterfly, 3) Thank you for this day.
What should your kindergartener wear?
This year we will leave all stereotypes behind. Children will not be asked to wear a feathered hair-dress or a paper-bag vest. Instead we will honor Native American culture by learning the value Native-Americans give to being thankful and loving creation. Did you know that, "Thanksgiving was not invented at Plymouth in 1621? Some Native-Americans celebrate up to 13 thanksgivings each year, one at every full moon. There is a strawberry thanksgiving, green corn thanksgiving, and a cranberry thanksgiving, just to name a few."
Kindergarten children are asked to dress in white tones (boys may wear khaki pants and a dressy white shirt & girls may wear white dresses) on this day to show peace and simplicity. In addition, children are encouraged to wear nature-like elements such as flower head-dresses, flower pins, flower leis/garlands, etc... If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at: [email protected].
Kindergarten children are asked to dress in white tones (boys may wear khaki pants and a dressy white shirt & girls may wear white dresses) on this day to show peace and simplicity. In addition, children are encouraged to wear nature-like elements such as flower head-dresses, flower pins, flower leis/garlands, etc... If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at: [email protected].