Every couple of days, Anne could barely wait to visit Granny’s house. She would always ask her parents if she could go visit just for a little while.

Granny’s house was small but cozy, warm, and pink. Her driveway was long and winding, with colourful trees, leaves, and bushes surrounding her house. This was Anne’s second-favourite place in the whole wide world!

When Granny knew Anne was coming to visit, she would wait by the living room window until they arrived, watching them pull into the parking lot. Anne’s parents would walk her up Granny’s steps and knock on her door. When Granny answered, Anne and Granny would greet each other with a big bear hug followed by ear-to-ear smiles.

Hiya Granny, what are we going to do today?” Anne asked.

“Hello, Anne! I’m just about to get started on my cinnamon raisin cookies and Bannock Would you like to help me?” Granny replied.

“Yum! Sure, please!” Anne said excitedly.

Anne loved visiting Granny’s house, especially when they would bake together. Granny’s kitchen was always ready for baking – her mixing bowls and pans were on the counter, ingredients on the table, and the oven was preheating.

Granny would always ask Anne to pour the wet and dry ingredients, mix, and stir the dough for her. It was Anne’s favourite task. They would spend a lot of time measuring, mixing, forming, and getting everything ready for the oven.

Granny taught Anne her recipes, going over each ingredient as it was put into the bowl.

“Granny, who taught you these recipes?” Anne asked.

“I learned how to make these cinnamon raisin cookies and Bannock from my family. I would always watch them bake when I was younger. Now I’m teaching you how.” Granny replied.

“Wow, thanks, Gran!” Anne says proudly.

While they waited for the baking to finish, they would sit at the table where Granny would share stories of her younger days with Anne about how she grew up, what they ate, and where they lived when she was a small girl. On Granny’s table, there was a black and white cookie jar with a red collar. This cookie jar made a mooing sound every time it was opened. It was Anne’s favourite cookie jar. Whenever Anne opened it and heard the mooing, she would giggle, and Granny would smile at her.

When the baking was done, they would sit at the table and eat the cinnamon raisin cookies and Bannock – even though raisins weren’t Anne’s favourite. She would sit there, carefully picking out each raisin from the cookie, one by one. Granny would always smile at Anne as she did this.

Anne always had a wonderful time visiting and baking with Granny. She couldn’t wait to return, listen to her stories, and bake again. When Anne’s parents picked her up from Granny’s, she would always ask, “Can I come back to Granny’s tomorrow?” They would stand there smiling at Anne, and all would say, “Yes, you can.”


About the Author

Aniin! Hello! My name is Savannah Sanderson, and I am from Pinaymootang First Nation. I am currently in my final year of the Kenanow Bachelor of Education/Arts program at University College of the North. Balancing full-time work as an Educational Assistant in my community since 2014, I have also dedicated the last five years to my studies –attending evening classes and sometimes weekend classes. Life is busy, but I’m filled with excitement as I approach graduation in 2026!

Instructor's Remarks

Savannah Sanderson’s story, “Cinnamon Raisin Cookies and Bannock at Granny’s House,” beautifully captures the warmth and importance of intergenerational connections. The relationship between Anne and her Granny feels genuine and tender—from their greeting with “a big, huge hug” to Granny’s patient smile as Anne picks raisins from her cookies. These small, specific details add authenticity to her narrative and reflect the Aboriginal daily lives in Northern Manitoba. The inclusion of Bannock, a traditional food passed down through generations, carries cultural significance. Savannah seamlessly weaves this element into her story, illustrating how traditional knowledge and practices are passed on within families. She does an excellent job of highlighting the elements of daily life. (Dr. Ying Kong)