Overview

Before you arrived, she was already gathering.Before you took your first breath on Turtle Island, your grandmother was walking the land - gathering a maple leaf for sweetness, water from the Bay of Quinte for flow, an eagle feather for truth, a cedar sprig for protection, a moonstone for rhythm, and a song that has been singing since before she was born. Each gift is placed in the cedar bundle. Each gift is a teaching. Each gift says: you are loved. You belong. You come from something sacred. Maple leaf - for sweetness. Life will hold sweetness. Bay water - for flow. You come from water. Waters of the earth are the same as the waters of your body. Eagle feather - for truth. May you always speak it and have the courage to hear it. Cedar sprig - for protection. The medicine plants are here. The earth will always protect you. Moonstone - for rhythm. She rocked you in the womb each night. You know her already. A song - for belonging. This song was singing before you arrived. It will sing long after we are gone. Rooted in the Kanien'kehá ka (Mohawk) birth traditions of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, this tender and luminous picture book celebrates matrilineal love, the sacred bundle tradition, and the Haudenosaunee understanding that every child arrives already known, already held, already singing. Warm AABB rhyming text perfect for read-aloud ages 3-6 Authentic Kanien'kehá ka birth tradition from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory Kanien'kéha (Mohawk language) words with full pronunciation guide Author's note on Mohawk birth traditions and the sacred bundle The perfect gift for every new baby, baby shower, and grandmother Written by a Mohawk author from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory A companion to the Turtle Island's Seasons series and The Three Sisters Garden - also by Jem Maracle.

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