Zhashkoonh ( Muskrat ): Nishnaabemowin Children’s Book by Portia Po Chapman

During the Summer (2021), I began learning Nishnaabemowin. My Trent University Professor was Shirley Ida Williams. Professor Williams wrote the textbook for the course: “Eshkintam Nishinaabemang Mzinagan: Introduction to Nishnaabemowin.” On page iv, Professor Williams describes the dialect as, “The main dialect used in this manual is linguistically classified as Manitoulin Central dialect of Ojibwe and Odawa and is part of Eastern Ojibway and an offshoot of the Mother language of Algonkian.”

It was really exciting to begin my journey learning the language.

As part of the course, I wrote, read aloud, and illustrated my first children’s book in Nishnaabemowin. In this little video, you can read along with me.

Why did I choose to write about the Zhashkoonh ( Muskrat )? As well as being part of the creation story, I enjoyed watching the muskrats as I grew up along side the lake. They always seemed to be a bit more playful than the beavers. While they are tiny, they sure are mighty!

I hope you enjoy reading along with me! Maybe you too can learn few Nishnaabemowin words!

Click to visit my Indigenous Art page.

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Belleville, Ontario, Canada
portia@loveartbypo.ca
613-779-7975

Art News, Portia Chapman, Portia's Adventures, Uncategorized

Portia Chapman Completes Bachelor of Education

August 10, 2020March 13, 2022 Portia "Po" Chapman

Portia Chapman Completes Bachelor of Education

Yay! I have finally completed my 5 year long Concurrent – Bachelor of Education (Artist in Community Education Concentration) program at Queen’s University! I have earned my two Intermediate – Senior teachable subjects in Visual Arts and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies. I have grown a lot since my start in the program in 2015. I was so happy to spend the final year of the program with my sister Jasmine (BEd – Communications Technology). Not many sisters get to do their BEd together. Many call us the “Sisters in Education!”

Portia chapman duncan mcarthur hall queens university

Portia chapman Queens university duncan mcarthur

I am so grateful for my practical and theoretical knowledge gained over this degree journey. I can’t wait to start teaching this fall!

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Belleville, Ontario, Canada
portia@loveartbypo.ca
613-779-7975

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Portia Chapman’s Indigenous Image Scratchboard Arting was Fun for All

July 14, 2020March 13, 2022 Portia "Po" Chapman

Portia Chapman’s Indigenous Image Scratchboard Arting was Fun for All

This winter, as part of the Artist in Community Education Concentration at the Queen’s University Faculty of Education, we had the opportunity to host “Artings” in Duncan McArthur Hall. I chose to do a scratchboard event.

Basically, an arting is a brief art workshop, often only one night and for one art project. Our scratchboard arting was 45 minutes. Participants were able to start and finish their art pieces in this brief time together. It was so nice to see so many happy faces as participants left with their own finished artworks in hand.

Before participants left to mount their artworks at home, each participant received a certificate of completion. I can’t wait to host more artings this fall.

Thanks:

I would like to thank my supportive sister Jasmine Chapman (BEd CommTech) for photographing this event for me. Not many sisters get to do their BEd together – but we did!

I would like to thank my ACE professor Aynne Johnston for integrating this fun arting opportunity into our concentration. Artings are so fun, productive, and only take a short time to do. If we all took an hour to create each week/month, just imagine how we could beautify our world together.

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Belleville, Ontario, Canada
portia@loveartbypo.ca
613-779-7975

Art News, Portia Chapman, Portia's Adventures, Uncategorized

Portia Chapman’s “Desk” Has Places to Go What is Your Learning Story?

July 11, 2020March 13, 2022 Portia "Po" Chapman

Portia Chapman’s “Desk” Has Places to Go!

What is Your Learning Story?

desk learning is a journey — “Desk” was Digitally Inserted into My Photograph – Windsor, Ontario

As an Art Teacher and Teacher of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies, I hope to take “Desk” on a learning tour. Covid-19 has taught us that learning happens everywhere in life – if we are willing to learn. The classroom suddenly became our living rooms, bedrooms, and even our cars.

We kept learning during a time that prevented us from going to the school building. I want to take “Desk” on a journey across the country.

A moving journey across our great land whereby each stop along the way invites people to sit at “Desk” and to tell their stories of learning. I really, really like school – sharing, learning, teaching, and so much more.

As the artist, I so aspire for “Desk” to remind all of us that we must not move backward – we must keep moving forward. Learning is everywhere and learning flourishes when we share our stories together.