Dreamcatcher - Grandmother's Web

Dreamcatcher: Grandmother’s Web

“Dreamcatcher, Grandmother’s Web” – Bestselling Author David Bouchard and Artist Kristy Cameron Unite for a New Book on Ojibwe Teachings and the Seven Directions

Medicine Wheel Publishing presents an online launch of David Bouchard’s (Ojibwe/Métis) new book “Dreamcatcher: Grandmother’s Web”

Did you ever wonder where the iconic dreamcatcher came from?

The dreamcatcher is a gift to the Ojibwe from Grandmother Spider, who weaves a web for each of us to hang above our beds when we sleep to catch dreams that are not as they seem. 

Dreamcatcher: Grandmother’s Web teaches readers to look to the seven directions as inspiration for how to live a healthy life in harmony with the world around us.

"If you've not yet experienced a virtual launch, it's a fun and exciting event. 

Our launch will be hosted by Teddy Anderson the publisher of Medicine Wheel Publishing. It will be held live on FB and Medicine Wheel Publishing's website. It will take place in my shack (showing here). Some might call my shack an office...younger people might call it a Man Cave or a She Shed...but this prairie boy call's it "my shack". Join us on Feb. 4th and check it out...
 

Join us live for this free event on February 4th at 10am PST via Facebook Live or right here on our website (Medicine Wheel Publishing).

All ages welcome.

How to order Dreamcatcher: Grandmother’s Web-
https://shop.medicinewheelpublishing.com/products/dreamcatcher-grandmothers-web

Another thing we know to be factual

Kids always live up to what they are told they are. 

In Indigenous culture, some children are given a spirit name at birth. An Elder, often a family member, will bestow a name onto a child. That name, in the language of their individual nation, will speak to what that child is going to become. On other occasions, a name might be given to an older youth or to an adult. In ceremony, this person will receive a name. Some might be given two or more names through the course of their lifetimes. 

Ojibway Elder Nancy Jones (showing below next to friends Brent and Kristy) gave me the name Zhiibaayanakwad. My ceremony took place15 years ago on Red Gut reserve in Northern Ontario. Any name holder can explain the name's meaning and/or speak to the ceremony through which it was given if they want to. Like our stories, this is a personal thing. 

It's interesting that a child who is given the name Boy who loves Birds is almost certain to grow into a man who has an infinity for and with birds. 

My name Zhiibaawanaquad means "Bird who flies in and out of clouds coming with messages from Creator". I take that to mean coming dreaming stories that come from above - from spirit world...through my collective GGrandmothers. 

Parents, teachers...administrators - focus on what you tell your children they are. Think long and hard about what they might one day become. Not only in a negative way (never call a child a bully or lazy or...). But do it in a positive way. 

Tell our kids how kind they are. Tell them what good readers they are. Tell them what hard workers they are. Don't lie. They see through lies. Pick out something they do on a daily basis or on something they did. Then tell them. Build on that. 

Kids always live up to what they are told they are. 

2026 - New Energies to begin a new year

What we do know 

Girls mature faster than boys 

We educators/parents can clearly see that boys and girls display some obvious differences in the way they learn and in the speed at which they mature. Simply watch any group of middle school students leave school at the end of the day. You will see young women gliding out of school mostly well dressed and usually well groomed. Their appearance is much as is the nature of their conversations. They will be talking about books, homework, boys, governance of their school council etc... The boys on the other hand make it clear that they care less about their physical appearance, their hair or who might or might not be looking at them. Chances are that they will be talking about sports or technology or occasionally girls or...not likely talk of a favourite book.

This has consequences on many aspects of their education none more significant than testing practices that often dictates much of their future. 

We test our kids too often and too early. 

A grade three girl is hypothetically asked to read a particular the work of William Shakespeare. She smiles noting that Shakespeare is one of her all time favourite writers. The same work is placed before a grade three boy. His response is more likely to be that he would prefer go outside back to the game he was playing with his friends. The result of these poorly advised reading tests will indicated that the girl is a reader and the boy is not. It might be a disability or any one of a number of other problems but you can be sure that they boy(s) now sees himself as a non or a reluctant reader. 

Are men really from Mars and women from Venus? Or do we teach our children to believe that that is just the way things are. 

I have learned that books that interest boys and girls (men and women) vary substantially. I have learned this through my life experience. 

My wife Vicki belongs to a book club. It's something women do. We men are suppose to go to the bar and watch a game with the boys. I have little interest in reading the books she and her club reads. Likewise, they would not be interested in the books that I enjoy. That to say... 

If you are a boy/man or a teacher of boys, might I suggest two or three books that worked for me: 

The story of Jacob Fagin from his perspective as a clever but poor Jewish boy in19th century London; a harsh upbringing, tutelage in pickpocketing and his evolution into the leader of a gang of child thieves...themes of fate, societal antisemitism and the morality of choices...including the fraught relationship with Bill Sikes. Enter, Oliver. 

Or how about this?

An atmospheric, feminist retelling of the early life of famed villainess Morgan le Fay, set against the colourful chivalric backdrop of Arthurian legend.

When King Uther Pendragon murders her father and tricks her mother into marriage, Morgan refuses to be crushed. Trapped amid the machinations of men in a world of isolated castles and gossiping courts, she discovers secret powers. Vengeful and brilliant, it's not long before Morgan becomes a worthy adversary to Merlin, influential sorcerer to the king. But fighting for her freedom, she risks losing everything – her reputation, her loved ones and her life.

As we all know, a stand alone is nice (Fagin is one) however, give me a good series that makes me think...wonder... I like to travel and this series is...worth reading. 

During the test flight of a prototype faster-than-light craft, Lt. Commander Ky is flung into an ancient past that never existed. Rome has fallen, defeated by the mighty Carthaginian Empire, its survivors chased off the continent and onto what had been the remote province of Britannia. Hounded by the Carthaginians bent on conquering the known world, Rome is on the verge of destruction. Stranded and alone, except for a tactical AI implanted in his head, Ky has lost everything and must find a way to live in a world different than anything he's ever known.

For Ky to survive, he needs a new home. For the Romans to survive, they need a miracle. But can a man from the future work with people so far in his past, or is this match doomed to failure?

Enough... Be healthy and escape through a good book. 

Drop Everything And Read - Holly Claus

         Educators (DEAR)) Drop Everything And Read 

Educators don't wait another minute. It's almost too late. Hurry, race to your school library or your community library or to your nearest bookstore. Get your hands on The Legend of Holly Claus. Fetch it in novel form for grades four and up or as a beautiful picture book for younger readers. 

Hundreds of thousands, through my conference work and school visits have heard me say that Holly Claus is my favourite Christmas book ever. 

Holly Claus is the Harry Potter of Christmas - a book that every family should have read...should have in their library to read and re-read at this time of the year.

If you have not experienced the magic of Brittney Ryan's New York Times best selling Holly Claus, consider this my gift to you.

Imagine a place in time where Santa would receive a letter from a boy asking what he, Santa, would like for Christmas. What if that letter contained the magic that would allow Santa and his wife Vivianna to finally have the child they have dreamed about for centuries. What would they name their child and how would the Christmas Princess deal with the curse that followed her into the land of the Immortals...the land of Forever...???

Holly Claus is a book for young and old alike. I first shared it with our daughter Victoria when she was six. My 26 year old will tell you that her childhood was highlighted by Harry Potter and Holly Claus.

When I asked if she had not outgrown these classics, she answered,

"Dad, I haven't outgrown Harry and Holly. I grew up with them."

A hero - let it be you

 To become a reader, every child (every student) needs a hero. 

 A Perfect Mission Statement: Our school is a sanctuary for students, staff and parents.

A Focus/objective - Our school will make "reading" our focus this year. The collective goal of our staff and our parent support body will be to promote reading in everyone of our students. 

Our plan 

To adhere to the teachings of Dr. Maria Montessori (shown here)

To learn to read, Maria taught three pre-requisites. 

1. Time

2. A hero

3. Books. 

Heroes

Children (as do we all) need a hero to guide them along the path of becoming readers They will do as you do and not as you say.

There will be a designated time everyday where absolutely everyone within the school premises will read. Call it DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) or START (Students and Teachers All Read Together)…or what you may but that period of time is sacred. Who will read? The principal and vice-principle. The office staff. The custodial staff. All teachers and teacher assistants. Any and every visitor who chose to be in our school during that allocated time. Signs will be posted at the doors of entry stating that our school is inaccessible during this time period and that if the need is great, this is the phone number of our principal who will take your call but will prefer you call back at a later time. 

Start with your own children...

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A fresh look - a clear focus

November 27 

Happy Birthday to our Granddaughter Izabell. Seven years old today and as of two weeks ago, big sister to our wee Rowan. Amid all the confusion, the ongoing wars and the struggle to make this world a kinder place, these two are my hope for the future. 

My website has a lighter and happier tone. We've changed a few components that reflect my focus and my hope for all our tomorrows. 

Recently, I have been posting updates on my various social media platforms. I have been reading some of my favourite books and as well as some of my own. I have described what I speak to when working with students, with parents and of course with educators. 

Chris Patrick (my friend and agent) is currently booking tours that will see me in schools working with students, teachers and parents. I am also available to present on-line. 

Reading and Indigenous awareness are priorities of most Canadian schools. 

I present to all groups about the importance...no, about the need to read. With them, I share the why and the how. Getting our students reading isn't magic but it does require some basics and a plan of attack that I shared in my book The Gift of Reading. Students deserve to know. Teachers sometimes need reminding. And parents all too often do not know their role in this vital part of their children's education. 

Then there is the matter of Indigenous studies. The TRC's recommendations are now in the hands of us all. School divisions...individual schools...administrators and teachers all understand the value and importance in doing their part. Now is the time to reach out for help and to make these priorities known. 

Through my writings and my touring, I have learned much. I speak at venues of all sorts featuring my flutes, writings and learnings from what is nearing three decades. 

Chris is available to talk about how I might be able to support you. 

Stay healthy and keep smiling (start smiling if you aren't already). 

David -

Hallowe'en has come and gone - 52 days till Christmas

Christmas, Hallowe'en, Diwali, Easter, Yom Kappur, Ramadan...

Many of these culture landmarks, and there are many, provide us with opportunities to better come to understand one another. They also provide educators with fodder for selecting and reading new and exciting books. 

There was a time when I wouldn't have given a second thought to sharing books about any and all cultural events. We seem to be at a time however, when the word "appropriate" casts a dark shadow on such things. At great risk, I dare share a few but guaranteed winners of my favourite Christmas reads. 

This amazing book of short stories by Cynthia Rylant is one of my all time and forever favourites. Six short stories, each one capable of bringing you to tears... I don't recall religion being a theme in any of the stories - poverty, loneliness, love... 

I don't know how accessible this treasure is as I have had my three copies for a long time now. But it is out there and worth your tracking down now, in early November. 

My daughter Victoria will tell you this is THE best Christmas book ever and I agree. No, not religion but Santa Claus, his wife and the child they have always been denied - Holly. We read the novel together several times over. We shared it with friends and neighbours and anyone walking by. It was and remains THAT good. 

A few years back, Holly Claus was released as a picture book and again, WOW! If you plan on reading the novel aloud (as I did and would highly recommend), you will have to get started soon. 

I can't imagine any North American not knowing of The Polar Express. Chances are that they have read the book (or had it read to them). If not, they have almost  certainly seen the movie. Amazing! 

That being said, I am absolutely certain that some children have yet to read or hear the book read to them. You will not want them to be denied this magical experience. 

And finally, I obviously could go on at length and I am not even a librarian, let  me close with one of mine. This beautiful book illustrated by the late Moses Beaver, teaches us how closely intertwined Christianity is to Indigenous belief. The Haudenosaunee will tell you that Peace Maker was born to a virgin, that he
paddled a canoe made of stone and that his greatest gift was a book known as the Great Law (not really a book but a series of stories that would later be written down as the Great Law. Our book is in both English and French as well as in Inuktitut, the Inuit language. It includes a CD of Susan Aglukark singing Canada's oldest carol, the Huron Carol.