Call of the Fiddle: Integrating Metis

Culture in Pedagogy

goo.gl/aTG9Td goo.gl/Jsdw63

goo.gl/jiqiJf

Stephen Campeau, Katie Frankcomb, Gordon Phillips

 Plot Summary

● Young Métis boy (Nolin) visits

cultural event (Back to Batoche
Days)
● Dances & learns history of Red
River Rebellion
● Gains appreciation of his own
history & culture

Burton, Patton, Racette, Fleury, 2011

 Authors & Publisher

● Written by two Métis authors

● Translation done by Métis
storyteller in official language
(Michif) with CD & glossary
goo.gl/TwuLL6
● Publisher is major Métis cultural
organization (Gabriel Dumont
Institute)

Burton, Patton, Racette, Fleury, 2011

 How is this Valuable for Indigenous Students?

● Dual languages validates Indigenous

dialect use in classroom
● Ensures accurate representation of
Métis character names
● Continues important oral
storytelling strategies for customs &
values

goo.gl/vpLuje
 Graphics & Cultural Practices

● Culturally relevant
symbols, clothing, and
instruments
● Emphasis on
community & cultural
activities (e.g. jigging,
storytelling)

Burton, Patton, Racette, Fleury, 2011

How is this valuable for a Primary Classroom?

● Help students
understand how
communities emerge
& associated symbols
● Have students
participate in a jig
● Students create own
cultural texts in
response
 Historical Accounts

● Nolin joins memorial

for Battle of Batoche
● History of Red River
Rebellion
Burton, Patton, Racette,
Fleury, 2011
contextualized
● Appendix offers more
info on Battle
How is this valuable for a Junior High Classroom?

● Focus on role Red River

Rebellion had for forming
Métis identity
● Use appendix as starting
point
● Students critically
evaluate elements missing
from story’s account
goo.gl/3eX6y2
“Without the truth of accounts of our shared Canadian history from First

Nations, Métis, Inuit perspectives, that there will be no easy reconciliation.

Without these accounts, reconciliation may otherwise prove to be another

rhetorical device of manipulation” - Pratt & Daniels, 2016, p. 186

 References
● Burton, W., Patton, A., Racette, S.F., Fleury, N. (2011). The call of the fiddle. Regina, Canada: Gabriel Dumont Institute.

● Poitras Pratt, Y. & Daniels, L. (2016). Metis remembrances of education: bridging history with memory. Retrieved from

https://dspace.ucalgary.ca/bitstream/handle/1880/50603/2;jsessionid=B1CFBEF4939187140D098436154E6265?sequence=1

● Brendan, W. (2013, June 19). Bell of Batoche church bell to be unveiled in Batoche, Sak. next month, but is it the Riel

thing? [Photograph]. The Peterborough Examiner. Retrieved from goo.gl/3eX6y2

● CBC Arts. (2017, November 22). How to literally tear up the floor dancing the Red River Jig [Video File]. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gKRVTub3ng

● Museums Association of Saskatchewan. (n.d.). Gabriel Dumont Institute [Photograph[. Retrieved from

goo.gl/TwuLL6

● Toronto District School Board. (2014). Aboriginal education [Photograph]. Retrieved from goo.gl/vpLuje

● Manitoba Metis Federation. (2018). History of the Metis flag [Image]. Retrieved from goo.gl/aTG9Td

● Etchiboy. (n.d.) Sash Ceinture fléchée Carnaval Medium Moyenne Polyester [Image]. Retrieved from goo.gl/Jsdw63

● Métis Nation of Alberta. (2018, June 15). Back to Batoche Days [Photograph]. Retrieved from goo.gl/jiqiJf