Author Archives: CBuss

My Final Project

For my final project I decided to look at how Modern Metis communities are using technology for Self-representation and Self-Determination.  I provided a brief history of the Metis and their struggles as well as a current snap shop of the progress that the Metis have made and continue to make.

My Presentation is a Prezi titled: The Metis Looking Back, Moving Forward and it is viewable here: http://prezi.com/j0zgljcejwdb/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Direct Link Here: The Metis Looking Back, Moving Forward

Thanks everyone, this course has been a wonderful experience.

Module 4 – Post 5 – Our Worlds, Our Ways

“Our Worlds, Our Ways: Teaching First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Learners” is a resource created by the Alberta Education Authority in conjunction with many First Nations, Metis and Inuit elders.  The resource is designed to support teachers in better serving the needs of Aboriginal students.  Culturally-relevant approaches to Aboriginal education are explained from a holistic point of view in terms of students’ spiritual, physical, cognitive, and emotional competencies.  Built into the resource are the guiding principles of understanding and respect for diversity, respecting and reflecting Aboriginal perspectives, the importance of the teacher/student relationship, and the connection to community.  While the resource is primarily aimed at supporting Aboriginal learners, it has relevance and value for a range of educational settings and contexts.

The resource is located here: http://education.alberta.ca/media/307199/words.pdf

Module 4 – Post 4 – Best Practices

I found this resource as I was searching for curricular materials for teaching Metis heritage, history and culture.  The “Best Practices -Including First Nation, Métis, and Inuit in the Curriculum” resource was created by the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board from Ontario.  The resource is designed to support teachers in a culturally responsive way in teaching First Nations topics.  The resource defines potential problem areas in terms of Key Concepts, Accuracy, Culture, Authenticity, Diversity, Eurocentrism, Pedagogy, Use of Terminology, and Visual Images and gives teachers concrete language they can use to cover these topics in a culturally appropriate and sensitive way.

The resource can be found here: Best Practices

Module 4 – Post 3 – Awchimo

Awchimo is a website designed to teach children more about Metis heritage, culture, history, and the Metis language, Michif.  In addition to the categories mentioned, the site is organized into click-able links including colouring, games, stories and recipes that are embedded in a fun, colourful picture.  The site is easy to navigate and has many appealing activities for children, however the material presented does seem to be too complex for younger readers.  The site provides a good amount of useful information for anyone wanting to have their children learn more about Metis culture in a fun and engaging environment.

Awchimo is located here: http://www.awchimo.ca/index.html

Module 4 – Post 2 – The Metis Raconteur

Susan Greig is a health care professional and storyteller who lives in the lower mainland of BC.  Through her blog, “The Metis Raconteur” Susan shares her Metis heritage and culture with others.  From the blog:

“Traditional Métis storytellers related family and community history, stories, lessons and customs around camp fires, or while going about daily activities such as sewing, harvesting berries, or hunting and fishing. Following in my ancestors footsteps I have been writing and telling stories since the fourth grade and my most cherished memories of storytelling are the narratives I would weave for my children at bed time each night.  Blogging is also storytelling and this is where I plan to chronicle more of my family story and to share items and news about Métis culture, particularly anything to do with writing or the arts.”

While most of “The Metis Raconteur” site is dedicated to Metis current events and happenings, links are also provided to Metis associations from across Canada, other Metis bloggers, as well Susan’s paintings and published books.  The site is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and provides god insight into Metis culture.  I recommend browsing through when you have a chance – it’s worth a read.

The blog can be found here: http://metisraconteur.com/

Module 4 – Post 1 – Canadian History a Distinct Viewpoint

“Canadian History a Distinct Viewpoint” is the website of Dick Garneau.  Dick is a researcher of both written and oral history of the Metis peoples, with emphasis on the genealogical roots of the Metis Garneau clan.  Dick has been researching his family history and the history of the Metis peoples for the past 60 years.  The bulk of this historical research appears on his website.  While the material was originally intended as a book, Dick decided instead to make the information available on the internet for free with the goal of supporting the education of young people to a different view of history,

The website includes written histories of many of the peoples of Canada including the Indigenous peoples, Europeans, and Asians.  Histories are provided for many regions of Canada including New France, Central Canada, Alberta, and British Columbia.  Information is also provided on the genealogies of many Metis families.  While the provided information is quite text heavy, it is easy to read and navigate.  This resource is recommended for anyone who wishes to explore the history of Canada from a Metis perspective.

The website can be found here: http://www.metis-history.info/index.shtml

Module 3 – Post 5 – âpihtawikosisân

âpihtawikosisân is the website of Chelsea Vowel, “a Métis from the Plains Cree speaking community of Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta.  Chelsea currently lives in Montreal, Quebec. Her passions are: education, Aboriginal law, the Cree language, and roller derby. She holds a BEd, an LLB and teaches indigenous youth.”

The website features blog posts, links to interviews that Chelsea has conducted, and informational links to a wide range of Indigenous topics including: Indigenous Identity and Culture, Aboriginal Law and treaties, Historic and Continuing Injustice, Specific Myths and Misunderstandings, Indigenous Health and Safety, Organisations, and Attawapiskat.   I was originally attracted to her website to view an article entitled, “You’re Metis? So which of your parents is an Indian?” which attempts to dispel some of the myths and misunderstandings around Metis identity.  Chelsea’s website is well written, easy to navigate, and includes a coverage of a wide variety of timely, topical information.

I would recommend this resources for anyone wanting to know more about how Indigenous peoples are (mis)represented in the media.

You can view the website here: http://apihtawikosisan.com/

 

Module 3 – Post 4 – A Gesture of Reconciliation

People gathered from far and wide at Saskatoon City Hall on October 25th to witness the historic occasion of the raising of two new flags.  Two new Flags representing Treaty Six and the Metis were raised as a gesture of openness and good faith, and to recognize and honour the First Nations Peoples.  The ceremony included presentations from many different First Nations groups: singing, dancing, fiddle music and drumming.  Speeches from local representatives, First Nations elders and Lieutenant-Governor Vaughn Solomon were included as well.

You can read the full article here

You can see pictures from the ceremony here

Module 3 – Post 3 – Voices in the Wind Productions

Voices in the Wind Productions is the website of Dr Judy Iseke, who is the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledge and Research and Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  Dr. Iseke’s work is focused on “challenging the appropriation and misrepresentation of Indigenous Knowledge in mainstream art and media.”  Dr. Iseke received a $500,000 grant in 2012 for Michif language research, the results of which will be presented on the website.  The site also contains some short films (descriptions sourced from the website) with aspects of storytelling and traditional knowledge:

How the Spirit Moves – In this animated short film, we see the human beings who enter the lodge in their spirit form and the animal spirits who help them heal.

A Living History of Metis Families as told by Dorothy Chartrand – Dorothy Chartrand, a Métis grandmother, tells the story of her Metis families as their lives are affected by the political and social change that impacted Métis lives in the 1800s to today.

Grandmothers of the Metis Nation – This film shares Metis grandmothers stories and histories told by the grandmothers and a narrator, to understand the complex roles and responsibilities of Metis women in the past and today.

Understanding What Life is About – Storytelling with Tom McCallum – Tom McCallum (White Standing Buffalo), Métis Elder and storyteller, explains that stories are a history of our people from many lifetimes and that stories are real. In English, with some Cree, he shares 6 entertaining stories which have been animated.

Paper Mache Totem Poles – Misrepresentation, appropriation, and denigrating Indigenous knowledge is still common practice in educational institutions despite efforts of critical educators to challenge these practices.

If you have time for only one, I recommend “Paper Mache Totem Poles”, as it does a nice job of exposing problematic representational practices common to Western education

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Module 3 – Post 2 – Longhouse Media

 

Longhouse Media

Image Source: http://www.longhousemedia.org/about.html

After viewing this week’s video, “March Point” I wanted to try to find out more about its origins.  Through an internet search, I discovered that March Point is a production of Longhouse Media, a Washington State non-profit organization.  The production was completed as part of their “Native Lens” program.

“The mission of Longhouse Media is to catalyze indigenous people and communities to use media as a tool for self-expression, cultural preservation, and social change.”

The Longhouse Media website provides information on the organization’s current and past video productions (including March Point), their mandate and rationale, latest news and upcoming events, and also links to many other Indigenous artists and Native Organizations.

I found the website to be visually appealing, quite user friendly and easy to navigate.  I liked the fact that the website was very positive in nature, and seemed to be based around a message of hope.  I also really appreciated the information provided on the “About Us” and “News” pages as they give a lot of background information as to both the history and future of this talented and dedicated group.

The website can be found here: Longhouse Media