Metis Morning

One day in March this year, I got a call from Kelli Holden, a grade four teacher at Millgrove School in Spruce Grove.  She said she googled Métis and ended up with my number through the Métis Nation website.  She was looking for someone to teach about Métis culture to grade 4 students.   I said I do presentations and also know people who do.  I asked for more details because I had not presented to children since 2008 in Pine Street School, Sherwood Park. 

I enjoy challenges and this sounded like one. The school already had First Nations morning and it was time for Métis morning.  There would be six stations that the students would visit for about 40 minutes each.  She wanted me to take one station and talk about the Métis and bring items to show.  I was to basically present the same material six times to a group of about 8-10 grade four students.  ‘Wow, I’m going to be exhausted by noon’ I thought, once I got there. 

The Creator had inspired me to bring some of my outfits – a ribbon shirt and a fringed vest for the student to try on.  I also took the ‘standard’ Métis gear, lapel sash, full size sash, an assortment of pins, small replica of a red river cart, Métis hand drum, and a desk-size Métis flag.  Some of these items I left with the school including some books.  I enjoyed it and so did the students. 

 I was very impressed with this curriculum that Kelli, other teachers and some of the parents came up with. The stations were, build a red river cart out of popsicle sticks, finger weaving, birch bark biting (using wax paper to simulate birch bark), computer station where several websites were set up to research Métis, jigs and spoons and my station.  This is a very good model for learning and I encourage more creativity.  I think the only thing I would like to see included is that the Métis helped the settlers when they moved out west – our hospitality can be credited for their survival. 

Thank you again Kelli Holden, parents, teacher’s helpers and everyone else who helped make it a positive, fun and enjoyable learning time about the Métis. 

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