Saturday, September 30, 2023
The cradleboard, or in the Ojibway language “Tikinagan”, has been used for generations to carry infants while keeping babies safe and comfortable. Indigenous people throughout North America indicate that it was common practice to cradleboard newborn children until they were able to walk, although many mothers continued to swaddle their children past their first birthday. In this session, we will explore traditional Indigenous technologies and engineering design. We will learn about and apply traditional Indigenous Knowledge to create our own Tikinagans.
Materials and Preparation
A FREE materials kit will be sent out to CAGIS Virtual members who sign up for this session by September 9th at 11:59 PM. In addition to the materials we will send out, you will also need some strong glue (e.g., a hot glue gun or wood glue) and a pair of scissors.
Expert
John Ferris is a member of Constance Lake First Nation. He is the owner of Ed-Digenous Traditions, a business that incorporates traditional art forms and Indigenous Knowledge into educational systems.
Additional information
Participants are invited to wear an orange shirt to mark Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. See our FAQ below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I know if I’m eligible to receive a free kit?
CAGIS Virtual members who register for this session by September 9th at 11:59 PM will receive a kit in the mail. You must be a member to receive a kit. If you do not have a CAGIS Virtual membership, you can get one here.
I am a member, but I did not sign up for the session by September 9th. How can I get the materials?
Members who do not sign up in time to receive a free materials kit can purchase a Special Edition Tikinagan kit from Ed-Digenous Traditions’ website. Please note that the Tikinagan kits can take 2–3 weeks to ship, and orders placed separately after September 9th may not arrive in time for our September 30th session.
I am not a member, but I still want to participate in this session. How can I get the materials?
Non-members can purchase a Special Edition Tikinagan kit from Ed-Digenous Traditions’ website. Please note that the Tikinagan kits can take 2–3 weeks to ship, and orders placed separately after September 9th may not arrive in time for our September 30th session.
Will everything I need be included inside the Tikinagan kit?
Everything except for strong glue (e.g., hot glue or wood glue) and a pair of scissors (you will need your own) will be included in the kit. Please note that Tikinagan kits will be made by Ed-Digenous traditions and will include traditional materials, such as leather lace.
