On our school journey towards Truth and Reconciliation our community has learned about the Métis peoples in Canada. As a staff, we had a making session where we made lanyards from kits created by Jennifer White. We learned from Jennifer White, a métis family knowledge keeper and beadwork artist. Through the making of lanyards with beads from buffalo bones and special beads. The fire sign was created in a beading pattern and symbolized purification, cleansing and renewal.  Buffalo bone is a grounding item. Additionally, Buffalo is the only animal that walks into a storm to let it pass through quicker, which symbolizes meeting things head-on and working through problems.

Jigging and Dancing and Fiddling

Our students learned about Métis who are the descendants of French fur traders and First Nations women, dating back to days of the Red River Settlement in Manitoba.

We invited the group V’ni Dansi, a Vancouver-based traditional Métis and contemporary dance company dedicated to sharing the dances, stories and culture of the Métis to our school. Students learned traditional jigging and other dances as a large group. It pushed students out of their comfort zone as they held hands and moved around the gym and around the sashes together in large and small groups. The students used visuals and Métis traditional clothing to learn more about the stories of the Métis here in Canda.  Students learned Traditional Métis jigging which preserves the historical dances of generations ago; the dances included: The Red River Jig (up to 100 steps), Reel of Eight, Duck Dance, Rabbit Dance, The Métis Square Dance and Reels with calls (usually 8 people).