All My Relations is a project to protect and preserve family history for kiše-âniskotâpânak (Translation: our great-grandchildren way in the future).
Healing opportunities to overcome the trauma caused by colonization and residential schools are essential to ensure the health and well-being of Ililiwuk. Cultural identity is vital to the well-being of Ililiwuk. Knowledge of family history supports cultural identity. Knowing where we come from supports mental health because it helps us feel connected and proud of who we are. All My Relations provides the opportunity to learn family histories, strengthening cultural identity and mental health.
Learning our family history also supports reconciliation and shows us that our relations extend across the continent and ocean. For example, my 5x great-grandfather is Dr. Robert Goodwin, a Hudson’s Bay Company surgeon. Many Ililiwuk descend from his daughter Nancy and her husband Tekokumaw (renamed Adam Goodwin at baptism).
School visits were made to Northern Lights Secondary School in Moosonee, Ontario. A presentation of the All My Relations project was made, which included the following storytelling message:
As humans, we have personal stories about our lives from beginning to end.
We have ancestors whose blood flows inside us and traditions and practices we learn.
Knowing our ancestors and their stories is culture.
We need to know where we come from to know where we are going.
Students at Northern Lights Secondary School had the opportunity to build family trees with support from Paula Rickard, and they were surprised to learn they were cousins and not only classmates!
Come see us at the All My Relations workshop taking place as part of the More Than 350 and Gathering of Our People events held in Moose Factory. Link 350 agenda to come.
GENEALOGY CURRICULUM
The Genealogy Curriculum provides information on how to conduct research to build a family tree. Some detailed information is provided on census records for Moose Factory. The learning objectives for the curriculum are:
Students gain an interest in genealogy and family history.
Students conduct genealogical research through various sources.
Students learn how to build a family tree.
Students become aware of and strengthen their cultural identity.
Students gain an understanding of the connections they have to their family, extended family, community members, and each other.
Students preserve and protect their family history.
Curriculum Material – Lesson Plan
All My Relations Medicine Wheel: Holistic overview of family history and cultural identity developed by Paula Rickard
5-Generation Family Tree Sheet: Developed to support the creation of family trees. Students can search online for alternative family trees.
Alternative Activities to Family Tree Activity Sheet: Some students may experience anxiety and stress during family history activities. This activity sheet offers some alternative activities to ensure the student feels safe. Educators may contact Paula Rickard for more information about Trauma Informed Care related to family tree activities.
Census Information for Moose Factory: An overview of the 1881, 1901, 1911, and 1921 censuses. Spellings of last names and lists of students in residential schools are highlighted.
Censuses for Moose Factory: 1881, 1901, 1911, and 1921: Library and Archive Canada Research requires specific information to search within census records, making it challenging and lengthy. The 1881, 1901, 1911, and 1921 census records for Moose Factory can be found linked above to minimize time spent on family tree building.
GENEALOGY RESEARCH: Birth, Marriage & Death Records in Ontario: Provides details about vital statistical records in Ontario.
Questions to ask Kookum and Mooshum to learn family history Sheet: Let this sheet guide student conversation with their Kookum, Mooshum, and other family and community members.
Biography
Paula Rickard is a Moose Cree First Nation member, where she resides with her daughter Nikamuwin Mianscum. Paula has been in health and social services for 25 years and understands how culture supports well-being. Her interest in genealogy helped her learn how her ancestors lived along with their customs, beliefs, family, and inter-community connections. She enjoys spending time with her daughter and conducting research for her family tree. Her family tree is a product of countless hours of online and community research and family stories shared by her parents, James and Mary Ann Rickard, paternal Aunt Eve Lazarus, and fellow genealogists across Canada. Paula enjoys storytelling when sharing her family tree to facilitate understanding family connections. She aims to write short stories about family members with accompanying family trees. Her research affirmation is to say our ancestors’ names to remember them. David Reuben is my great-grandfather, and I hope my story about him inspires you to write a family story!
Feel free to reach out to learn more about All My Relations:
Paula Rickard,rickardpaula@gmail.com
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