(Cheerful piano music begins)
♪ You are the best you the world will see ♪
♪ Come along now and share you with me ♪
♪ Let's learn something new and share feelings too ♪
♪ Cause these are the things to do to be the best you ♪
- Hi Possum,
and hello friends.
- Hi Auntie Lena.
(gasps)
Is that a new vest?
- Yes it is,
it arrived in the mail yesterday.
It's a gift from my niece.
- A gift for what?
- Well,
nothing in particular.
She saw the vest in a store,
and wanted to buy it for me.
- Oh.
Well I know why,
because it's purple.
Your favorite color?
- Oh, Possum.
You know me so well.
- That was very nice of her.
- Wasn't it?
I am filled with gratitude.
- Oh, gratitude?
What does that mean?
- Gratitude is like saying 'Thank you.'
I'm grateful for my gift,
and I'm grateful to have such a thoughtful niece.
- Oh.
Are you gonna send her something on Auntie Lena?
- You know,
I think I'll make her something.
- What are you gonna make?
- I'm not sure,
but I know who can help.
Let's look,
listen, and learn
what our friends are making
at the Salish School of Spokane.
(magical chime)
- (speaks Salish)
- Hi, my name is LaRae.
And what's your name?
- My name is Seneca.
- Well Seneca and I are talking
our Native American language,
Salish
because we're here at Salish School of Spokane
where the students,
and the teachers speak the Colville Salish language.
And we're excited to be here today with you
because we are going to learn how to make a parfleche pouch.
Parfleche is the hide of a deer,
and the hair has been scraped off,
and we make these beautiful pouches.
And a long time ago,
we made a parfleche that were even as big as suitcases
to carry our things in.
So we're gonna get started.
First, we need some supplies.
Instead of deer skin,
we are going to use paper.
We're going to use a leather cord,
but if you don't have that at home,
you can use yarn.
We need a pencil,
a (speaks Salish).
We need (speaks Salish).
Do you remember what (speaks Salish) is?
- [Seneca] Paper.
- [Miss LaRae] Yeah.
And we need (speaks Salish).
- [Seneca] That's a ruler.
- [Miss LaRae] And how about we need (speaks Salish).
- [Seneca] Scissors.
- [Miss LaRae] Um hm,
and of course we're gonna need (speaks Salish).
- [Seneca] Those are beads.
- And (speaks Salish).
- [Seneca] A hole punch.
- Yeah.
So the first thing we're gonna do
is we're going to take our (speaks Salish), right?
And we're going to mark at the edge of the paper.
Let's do a little line there (speaks Salish).
And we're gonna make our pouch two of these rulers wide.
Seneca made a little mark there so she knows.
Okay now I gotta go over another ruler,
and she's just gonna make a line there.
Nice work.
And so now Seneca is going to take the
(speaks Salish),
the scissors,
and she's gonna cut that paper all the way down the line.
All right, wonderful.
Now we have this big, long strip.
But we really only want our pouch to be this long, right?
So maybe we can,
see how long that is?
We can just make a little mark along there.
Nice.
(speaks Salish)
Okay, so now what the next thing we're gonna do
is we're gonna fold our paper into a square.
The next thing we're gonna do is we're gonna fold
our flap down to make a rectangle.
So that's our flap for our pouch.
We wanna make sure that our necklace can fit over our head.
So let's take our (speaks Salish), our string
and we'll measure.
It'll hang right about there?
- Mm Hmm - Yeah.
Okay,
why don't you go ahead,
and you can cut that string right here.
Nice.
The next thing we're gonna do is we're gonna take our
(speaks Salish),
our hole punch,
and we're gonna punch two holes really close together
in the flap of our pouch.
And this is so that we can tie it down.
We gotta do the two on the bottom.
Right there.
The next thing you wanna do is
we wanna make a tie that goes through your pouch
to close it up.
So we're gonna need our string again.
Put one through the this hole,
pull it through,
and then one through this way.
So it's like this.
The next thing we're gonna do is
we're gonna punch some holes.
So we have one hole at the bottom,
one hole at the top
and then one hole in the middle.
The one in between those two,
And in between those two,
and there's our five holes there.
Then we're gonna do five holes on the other side.
I'm gonna cut like a smiley face right there,
so it helps the pouch to open up a little bit easier.
So I'm getting my (speaks Salish).
I'm just gonna make a little cut there.
We're going to have our (speaks Salish),
and we're going to put the string
through these holes to lace our pouch.
So this first stitch you're gonna do is just a flat stitch.
Pull it through,
in and out.
Like that.
Okay.
And then the next one, right?
You wanna do this this next one?
Yeah.
And then you bring it up,
and go through,
and pull it down and it's wrapping around.
That's great.
(speaks Salish)
Good work.
What's the next thing we do?
- We pick out the beads.
- Mmhm. Yeah, yeah.
Then we pick out the beads.
So you can pick out the colors that you like,
that you think you wanna put on your beads.
I like that you've got pink,
blue,
and yellow.
(speaks Salish)
We're gonna tie a little knot at the bottom of this
so that it doesn't come undone.
It doesn't fall out.
And then now Seneca can put her beads on.
Yeah.
Okay,
the next thing she's gonna do is she's going to
put this string into this hole on the flap of her pouch.
And she's gonna do a straight stitch,
just like this one.
It lays flat so that your flap can close.
Now she's gonna go around,
through the back,
through the front.
Nice.
That looks great.
(speaks Salish)
And then we'll just flip it over,
and we'll make enough.
So then what's our next step?
We've got our beads.
We've got our string.
- [Seneca] Oh, we take these.
- [Miss LaRae] Oh yeah.
We take the string here,
and we put it through the flap.
That's gonna tie it down, right?
So that our special something,
that we've gathered,
that will remind us to be thankful,
doesn't fall out.
What do you think?
I know in my pouch?
I have a rock from the ocean.
It makes me thankful.
It makes me feel grateful about family,
and spending time at the ocean.
And what do you think you will put into your pouch?
- This rock that I got from Owl Moon Meadow
on my field trip.
- [Miss LaRae] Oh, it's beautiful.
What does that rock remind you of
or make you feel grateful for?
- Mm. Nature and the outdoors.
- Mm hmm, mm hmm.
I'm grateful for that too.
Yeah.
Do you wanna put it into your pouch?
- [Seneca] Mm Hmm
- [Miss LaRae] There you go.
And then you can tie that in there.
There it is.
Her beautiful Parfleche pouch.
And I hope that you have fun making these at home.
Would you please share how to say thank you
with our with our guests?
- Lim'limpt
That's how we say thank you in Salish.
So we're gonna say goodbye and thank you.
(both speak Salish)
- Oh, I can't wait to make a pouch necklace.
I wanna give one to Mama Possum.
- Why's that?
- Because I'm grateful for her.
I wanna say thank you for all the nice things
she does for me.
- Oh, I'm sure she'll love it.
But you know what, Possum?
- What, Auntie Lena?
- You already do a great job of showing your gratitude
to Mama Possum.
- You think so?
- Yes.
Gratitude doesn't always have to be a gift.
- It doesn't?
- Nope.
Sometimes gratitude looks like spending time with
or helping others you care about,
like helping Mama Possum in the garden.
- I never thought about it that way.
- Well,
can you think of other ways that you might show gratitude?
- Hmm.
Um, what about cooking for someone?
- Absolutely, Possum.
Cooking is one of the best ways to say 'thank you'.
It brings people together.
That's why food is a part of so many special celebrations.
- Like getting bug berry pie on my birthday!
- Exactly.
- Now I wanna give Mama Possum a pouch,
and make a new recipe with her.
- Well let's go back to our friends
at the Salish School of Spokane,
and see what they're making today.
- (speaks Salish)
- Hi, my name is LaRae.
And what's your name?
- My name's Keyes.
- We're happy to be here with you today.
We're speaking Salish,
which is our Native American language.
We're at Salish School of Spokane,
where all the teachers,
and the students speak Colville Salish language.
And we're happy to be here today.
We're going to to show you how to make
a traditional Salish food called (speaks Salish).
And (speaks Salish) is bright pink,
and it's very beautiful,
and it looks very sweet.
It's a little different taste,
but I think you're gonna like it.
(speaks Salish) is a berry that grows on plants
in Washington,
and Oregon,
and all around the United States.
I'm gonna have Keyes share a little bit
with you about when we gathered (speaks Salish) last July.
Do you remember how we did that?
- Yeah, we put in a blanket under the bush,
and then we hit the bush with a stick.
And then ripe berries come down.
- And then we grab up the berries in some cheese cloth,
and we squeeze 'em,
and we put 'em into a can.
And we bring this out,
and we can use this anytime of the year.
We can the juice.
This is (speaks Salish).
(speaks Salish) juice.
I think we're ready to make some (speaks Salish).
Are you ready to make some (speaks Salish)?
- Yes.
- All right,
let's do it.
So Keyes do you have a (speaks Salish)?
- Yes, I have a big bowl.
- (speaks Salish)
And do you have a (speaks Salish)?
- Yes, I have a big spoon.
- And do you (speaks Salish)?
- Yes, I have measuring spoons.
- (speaks Salish)
- Yes, I have water.
- (speaks Salish)
- Yes, I have sugar.
- (speaks Salish)
- Yes, I have a mixer.
- (speaks Salish)
- Yes, I have foam berry juice.
- (speaks Salish)
I think we're ready.
Yeah?
Okay, let's do this.
The first thing we're gonna do is take
four tablespoons of sugar,
and put it into the big bowl.
There goes Keyes.
1,
2,
3,
4.
Nice work.
(speaks Salish)
And now we're gonna take four tablespoons
of the (speaks Salish),
and put it into the big bowl.
Okay.
(speaks Salish)
- One.
- (speaks Salish)
- Two
- (speaks Salish)
- Three
- (speaks Salish)
- Four.
- [Miss LaRae] Ooh, that's bright color.
Now we're going to take some (speaks Salish)
and I'm gonna pour this (speaks Salish),
into Keyes' measuring spoon.
So we have (speaks Salish)
- One
- (speaks Salish)
- Two
- (speaks Salish)
- Three
- (speaks Salish)
- Four
- (speaks Salish)
Alright.
Nice job.
Good work.
Okay, now we're gonna take our mixer,
and we're gonna whip the foam berry juice,
the sugar,
and the water together.
And if you need some help
at home from an adult,
that's great.
Keyes is really good at baking and stuff.
So she's already has a lot of experience with mixing.
So she's just gonna go ahead,
and turn on the mixer,
and we're gonna whip up our (speaks Salish)
- [Keyes] Is it ready?
- [Miss LaRae] I think it's ready.
What do you think?
I think it's ready.
- [Keyes] Yeah.
- [Miss LaRae] Nice work.
Oh, look at that.
Whoa! That's wonderful.
That's wonderful.
Okay, should we try it?
- Um hmm.
Okay, oh, we need our (speaks Salish).
- Oh yeah.
Right, our big spoon.
Oh, look at that.
So beautiful.
And this comes right off of the (speaks Salish) bush.
Nice.
That's perfect.
Okay, (speaks Salish)
let's try it.
(speaks Salish)
Do you like it?
- Yeah.
- I do too.
It's really good.
Well, we're really grateful for all of the plants
that the earth provides for us,
and the food that the earth provides for us.
And we're really grateful for the (speaks Salish),
and we're really grateful that we got to spend today
with you sharing about how to make (speaks Salish).
And so Keyes
would you mind sharing how we say thank you in Salish?
- (speaks Salish)
- Oh, nice.
Thank you and good day.
So we're gonna say goodbye,
and (speaks Salish).
Thank you.
You ready?
(both speak Salish)
- Auntie Lena, what else are you grateful for?
- Good question, Possum.
Let's see.
I can think of three things right now.
I'm thankful for the bees that buzz around,
and help pollinate flowers.
- Oh, me too.
(Possum buzzes)
- I'm grateful for the sun that keeps us warm,
and for the rain.
- Well, you're grateful for rain?
- Yes.
There are many reasons to appreciate the rain.
The earth needs rain to keep forests healthy,
and lakes full of water.
And I love to listen to the sound of rainfall
when I read a good book.
- Oh, I've never done that before.
- You should try it, Possum.
Sometimes it takes a little longer to discover
what we should be thankful for.
There's a traditional Salish story that will help you see
what I mean?
What's it called?
It's called Mouse and Grizzly.
Let's listen.
- (speaks Salish)
- Hi, my name's Mireya.
What's your name?
- My name's Irie.
- (speaks Salish)
Today we're gonna read (speaks Salish).
What's (speaks Salish)?
- Mouse.
- What's (speaks Salish)
- Bear.
- Right.
So we're gonna read "Mouse and Bear".
(speaks Salish)
Mouse was Winter Dancing.
(speaks Salish)
They told Mouse, "Go on, sing!"
(speaks Salish)
Mouse said, "I'm Mouse,
I don't have a song."
(speaks Salish)
(sings in Salish)
And then he said,
♪ My name is Mouse. ♪
♪ I don't have a song. ♪
(speaks Salish)
They all danced
(speaks Salish)
(sings in Salish)
and he kept singing.
♪ I don't have a song. ♪
♪ I am Mouse. ♪
(speaks Salish)
Grizzly, the leader of the Jump Dance said,
"Mouse,
(speaks Salish)
"Thanks for your song.
You have such a nice voice."
(speaks Salish)
To thank Mouse,
Grizzly gave Mouse a long tail.
(speaks Salish)
Now, Mouse still has a long tail.
(speaks Salish)
Mouse said, "Later, I'll help you."
(speaks Salish)
"Sometimes, even big people need help."
(speaks Salish)
"But how can you help me?",
said Grizzly.
(speaks Salish)
"You are too small."
(speaks Salish)
Later, the Animal People found Grizzly sleeping,
(speaks Salish)
and they tied him up with spider's thread.
Do you like spiders?
- No.
- [Mireya] (speaks Salish)
Mouse knew Grizzly was in trouble
and went to go check it out.
(speaks Salish)
Mouse found grizzly tied up.
(speaks Salish)
"What's the matter?", said Mouse.
I thought you were big and strong.
Are you (speaks Salish)?
Are you strong?
- (speaks Salish)
(Mireya laughs)
- [Mireya] (speaks Salish)
How come you can't break them?
(speaks Salish)
And Grizzly said, "I can't do it.
I'm gonna have to stay here until I die."
(speaks Salish)
and Mouse said, "But the things that are tying you
up are so little."
(speaks Salish)
Your being big is good for nothing.
(speaks Salish)
Grizzly begged...
(speaks Salish)
"Ok, I'll help you", said Mouse.
(speaks Salish)
And so he chewed on what was tying Grizzly up,
and broke them.
(speaks Salish)
Grizzly was free and he stood up.
(speaks Salish)
Grizzly said, "Thank you!
If it wasn't for you,
I would've had to stay here until I died."
(speaks Salish)
"From now on,
we'll always be friends."
(speaks Salish)
And so they traveled together
because they were best friends.
Mouse sang a song,
and Grizzly was really grateful,
so he gave Mouse a tail,
but he didn't think
that Mouse was gonna be able to help him.
But then when Grizzly was in trouble,
Mouse helped him.
I think Grizzly's really grateful.
What are you grateful for?
- I'm grateful for my teachers.
- Me too.
Thank you so much for joining us.
We're gonna say thank you in (speaks Salish)
Ready?
(both speak Salish)
(magical chime)
- I liked that story, Auntie Lena.
I'm so happy that Mouse and Grizzly became friends.
- Me too.
I'm glad that Grizzly said thank you to Mouse
even though he didn't think that Mouse was big enough
to help him with anything.
- Mm hmm.
- I'm gonna share that story with Mama Possum.
- Ha, Possum.
Wait!
Before you go,
can you name three things that you're grateful for?
- Hm.
Well,
you know that I'm grateful for Mama Possum.
Um I'm also grateful for our friends,
and I'm grateful for you, Auntie Lena.
- Oh, thank you, Possum.
And I'm grateful for you too.
And friends,
thank you for taking the time to look,
listen,
and learn with us today.
Remember,
you are the best you that the world will ever see.
- Bye for now.
- Goodbye.
(cheery music)
- [Auntie Lena] Please stay tuned after the credits
for Auntie Lena's parent tip.
(bright music)
A please,
a thank you,
and a smile were the basics
in my Granny Gran's toolkit of gratitude.
As Auntie Lena shows Possum in today's episode,
gratitude goes beyond saying "thank you".
It's a much deeper appreciation
for the people who care about us.
When our little ones begin to notice
what they're thankful for,
beyond gifts and presents,
they develop important social emotional skills
that last throughout their entire lives.
To help your child start thinking about
the experience of gratitude,
ask them questions such as
"How does it feel to receive a gift?"
Or, "Who are you grateful for?"
Then help your child come up with different ways
to show gratitude.
Maybe they make a new recipe for someone,
or show gratitude by giving a great big hug.
No matter how your child shows gratitude,
remember to acknowledge their efforts,
and continue to model acts of kindness
in your everyday life.
With time,
and practice,
both you
and your little learner will find it easier
to discover moments of gratitude.
And like Auntie Lena and Possum,
you may find happiness even in the rain.