A Visit with Kokum

Dani was so excited, she could barely contain herself as she rushed into her grandmother’s house calling, “Kokum, I’m here!”  Taking off her backpack and shoes, she went from room to room until she finally found her in the kitchen, busy chopping vegetables for a big pot of soup. “Mmm, that smells good Kokum,” she said as she plunked down at the table. “Aaaachooo, oops! What are you making Kokum?” she asked while rubbing her nose.

“Goodness Dani, sounds like you have a cold. Please use a tissue to blow your nose and then go wash your hands. Next time, you can try to sneeze into the crook of your arm. Good thing I’ve got a nice pot of fish soup on,” said her grandmother, “It’s that time of year again when those nasty cold bugs start making their rounds. I’m going to add a good shake of cayenne pepper to the pot! Nothing like a little heat to help you feel better.”

“What do you mean Kokum? What does cayenne pepper do?” Dani asked after returning from washing her hands. Kokum turned around from stirring the pot and said, “Well Dani, our cousins to the south have given us cayenne pepper as a traditional medicine to help chase those bugs out of our systems. When we eat healthy and use all that the Creator gives us, we get everything we need for our bodies to be strong and fight these little outside invaders. That’s why when I make fish soup, every part of the fish, including the head goes into the soup stock. It should be ready for us to eat soon.”

“Are you ready to bead today?” Kokum asked. “Beading, yay! I’d like to work on some flowers.” Clapping her hands together, Dani got the beading tin and set it on the table. Opening the lid, she began to get out the vials of beads, thread and needles. Choosing a needle and a bobbin of thread, Dani cut off a piece of thread and sat down to try threading her needle, “Careful with the needle Dani, remember it’s really sharp. Can you thread yours or would you like me to do it?” asked Kokum.

“I think I’ve got it,'' said Dani with a sniffle, closing one eye and sticking her tongue out while trying to get her thread through the eye of the needle. “Yup, I got it, see Kokum,” Dani stated as she showed her Kokum. “Good job Dani,” her Kokum said with a smile, “now you can do mine too - practice makes perfect. So what did you learn in school today?” Kokum asked while she handed Dani her needle and thread.

“Nothing much. Auntie Rose came into class today and we talked about antibiotics. She said antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria. Do I need antibiotics for this cold?” Dani asked as she threaded her Kokum’s needle and handed it back to her. Dani started to pour beads from the vials onto the mat on the table.

“What did Auntie Rose say?” Kokum asked. Dani responded, “She said there are over 200 types of cold viruses and colds don’t need antibiotics. Something about them being viruses and not bacteria. They are both germs aren’t they? I’m confused,” Dani said as she looked up at her grandmother. Kokum responded, “Yes, you are right Dani they’re both germs, but antibiotics only work on bacteria. Antibiotics don’t work on viruses like the ones that cause colds.”

Kokum kept talking as they beaded. “So it’s always good to remember to wash your hands before you put anything into your mouth or rub your eyes or nose. You never know if one of those germs has landed on you and wants to take up residence. This is why we smudge, go to sweat lodges and drink spruce tip tea. The medicines and heat help our bodies to be strong and let our warrior cells take care of any invaders. Sometimes though, our littlest warriors need help to keep fighting. We have to make sure we give them lots of rest and good food, so they can recharge to fight for us again. Would you like some tea with your soup, Dani? It will help take care of that cold.” Kokum got up and went to put water in the kettle and put it on her old gas stove. Getting honey, bowls and two mugs out of the cupboard, she grabbed a couple of spoons along with a lemon. Cutting nice juicy slices of lemon, she added them to the cups along with a big spoonful of honey that she got from her neighbor. The kettle started singing as the water began to boil and Kokum went to her special cupboard where she keeps her medicine teas and pulled out a large tin.  

“Good thing we were able to do some harvesting this spring,” Kokum said to Dani with a smile.  She scooped what looked to be pine needles into the kettle of boiling water and turned the stove off.  The smell of spruce trees began to fill the air. “It’ll be just a few minutes for our tea,” she said as she ladled the hot soup into bowls. “The soup needs to cool a bit, so let’s keep at our beading. Just remember, every bead is a breath”, said Kokum. “Good breathing helps us with our growth, memory, and general wellness. Take good deep breaths, pushing all that air right down into the corners of your belly. And don’t forget, always think good thoughts when you are beading too, so good energy can be passed along in the beads. 

Can you smell the tea, Dani?” Kokum asked. “Yes Kokum,” Dani replied while taking deep breaths. “Mmm, that smells so good too! My littlest warriors are doing some fancy dancing, with yummy soup and tea to fill their bellies. They will be happy to fight germs for me. I guess I won’t need antibiotics to fight this cold,” Dani giggled.

“You got that right Dani,” Kokum smiled and gave Dani a hug, “You don’t always need antibiotics when you’re sick. And always remember there are many different ways to keep yourself healthy. Now let’s go have that soup! We have enough to share with the neighbours too.” 

Authors

Shawna Duncan, Story Writer and Artist

I hope you enjoyed the stories and they helped you to learn more about immunization. I’m a Cree and English Kokum, Grandma, with four grand babies and four children. My late spouse was Indigenous, Wolof, from Senegal. My family and friends are from different Nations, living in urban and rural communities. This is how I gather my stories. I re-imagine my family, friends and different experiences in the stories. I went to University for a lot of years while my kids were growing up, and I have two undergraduate degrees and a master’s degree. I’m an artist, graphic recorder, instructor, curriculum/program developer, and Indigenous cultural safety facilitator. In my free time, I love to canoe, do strength and conditioning training, and jiu jitsu.

Elder Glida Morgan

Elder Glida Morgan is from Tla’amin Nation. She reviewed the story, provided recommendations and gave final approval for the story. Elder Glida is an Elder in Residence at Sheway and Vancouver Native Health Society. She is also the Digital Elder at the First Nations Technology Council. She participates on Boards and advisory groups. Her love for singing, drumming and gospel music has led to her singing for those in palliative care and in the hospital.

Additional Partners

This lesson was developed in partnership with the BC Centre for Disease Control’s Community Antimicrobial Stewardship Team.

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