Bear Moon
February: 2nd Moon - Mkwa Giizis - Bear Moon
The second moon of Creation is Bear Moon. This moon gives us a special teaching about the birth of bear cubs. This is usually one of the brightest moons of the year. Names for this month’s Moon have historically had a connection to animals.
Other Names for this Moon: Snow Moon, Bald Eagle Moon or Eagle Moon (Cree), Black Bear Moon (Tlingit) refer to the time when bear cubs are born. The Dakota also call this the Raccoon Moon (Dakota), Goose Moon (Haida) and some Algonquin peoples named it the Groundhog Moon.
Learning IN & FROM all of Creation
Learning FROM the Outdoors
Notice the changes in animals who hibernate
Learn about the life cycle of the bear and other animals that hibernate
When are different animals born?
How do animals adapt to their changing environments?
Walk and learn along a nature trail
Create a nature journal and notice the changes in the environment happening this month
Learning IN the Outdoors
Create with items found in nature
Winter walk scavenger hunt (embed Anishinaabemowin)
CBCParents_WinterScavengerHunt.pdfWinter Activities:
✅ Build a Mini Snow Sculpture – Create an animal from snow. ⛄
✅ Make a Winter Offering – Leave a small pinch of semaa (tobacco) in gratitude for the season.
✅ Sing a Winter Song – Learn and sing an Anishinaabe song about winter. 🎶
✅ Observe the Night Sky – Look for constellations that guide winter travelers. 🌌
✅ Warm Drink Time – Enjoy a cup of cedar tea or hot chocolate. ☕
Anishinaabe Winter Scavenger Hunt
Biboong—Winter ❄️
Explore the winter season with this fun scavenger hunt while learning Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language)!
Scavenger Hunt Items:
Zhooshkwaadewin (Ice) – Find a frozen surface or icicle. 🧊
Goon (Snow) – Gather a handful of fresh snow. ❄️
Aadizookaan (Story) – Listen to a traditional winter story or tell one. 📖
Mishiimin (Apple) – Find or draw an apple, a winter food. 🍎
Waawaashkeshi (Deer) – Look for deer tracks or pictures of a deer. 🦌
Giizhik (Cedar) – Find cedar leaves or a cedar tree, used for medicine and protection. 🌿
Makwa (Bear) – Look for an image or symbol of a bear, an important winter animal. 🐻
Waabanong (East) – Find the direction of the sunrise. 🌅
Aagim (Snowshoe) – Find or draw snowshoes, used for winter travel. 👣
Jiimaan (Canoe) – Find an image or model of a canoe, used in warmer seasons but prepared in winter. 🚣