Have you ever heard the tale of the Wendigo? The human who, according to many Indigenous and Métis legends, transforms into a ferocious tree-height deer at night. Our grade 6 students sat wide-eyed with complete attention last week as Métis elder and educator, Jo-Ina Young, told them about this supernatural creature and the cultural role this story played in keeping Métis children safe.
This story is just one of the nuggets that our Grade 6 and 7 students have been exposed to over the last few weeks. These enriching weekly sessions will culminate in a rousing round of Métis games at month’s end.
Jo-Ina is a master storyteller, who without slides or flashy tech, manages to hold the attention of our often wiggly Middle Schoolers. Her stories weave in Canadian history — the Canadian Pacific Railway, Louis Riel, Canada’s first Prime Minister — and the impacts of the newly forming nation on the Métis culture and lifestyle. She spoke to the Grade 6s about how Métis stories teach lessons about the value of sharing and the negative impacts of greed, a great compliment to our Humanities curriculum and chapel program, which focus on many of the same themes.
Jo-Ina is not only a storyteller but also a curator of traditional Métis items, including beautiful beadwork and an impressive collection of furs. The student revelled in the softness of the prized white ermine fur reserved for European royalty and learned how furs helped the Métis and early Europeans survive in the harsh climate of the Prairies. This hands-on experience, where they donned the furs and appreciated the animals they belonged to, brought the Métis culture to life for our students.
When asked about their time with Jo-Ina Young, the Grade 6s responded with, “her stories are so interesting. I feel Canadians might not tell the whole story”(Madi B) and “it is fun not being talked to but actually touching and making something.” (Alex G). Myra M “loved learning about all these animals, while Megan K “loved when she [Jo-Ina] opened up the fox mouth and scared all of us.”
This week, Jo-Ina will bravely try to teach our Middle Schoolers the art of Métis beading. But more importantly, she is teaching the lesson that is expressed so well by our Indigenous Guide, Bill White and our school’s Land Acknowledgement: our Indigenous, Inuit and Métis neighbours are a living and vibrant culture from whom we can learn so much.
