A baby in a traditional moss bag. Click here to viewlarger picture.
On June 29, 2017, in Bancroft, Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Métis Healthy Babies Healthy Children Coordinators Tammy Hoover and Robin Simpson partnered with the Hastings Prince Edward Health Unit – Food for Two program to host a traditional gathering for pre and post-natal women. The gathering included a workshop on how to create moss bags for their babies.
The women were taught how to fashion moss bags with their hands and learned traditional teachings about the moss bag. These teachings include that moss bags sooth colic and dramatically decrease crying, provide longer more contented sleep, sharpen vision, hearing and awareness and enhance stimulations provided by a child’s environment and family. The moss bag keeps the baby and the mother close; allowing babies to see the world as their mothers see it and listen to their mothers’ conversations. This allows the babies to recognize the rhythm of their mothers’ breathing, walking and touch, which stimulates the baby’s speech and emotional development and fosters a sense of safety and security.
Upon completion of moss bag workshop, the women gathered to honour the moss bag teachings with a smudge and a beautiful hand-drum song delivered by the MNO Victims Services Coordinator Marsha Depotier.
Posted: September 6, 2017