Métis culture will continue to be lived and celebrated when we pass our knowledge on to the generations who follow us.
Everyone is on a learning journey. While exploring historical and contemporary Métis ways of knowing and doing, these learning packages provide knowledge and understanding for students and teachers. Topics include: Traditional Harvesting Methods, Geographical Terms, Music and Dance, Conversational Michif, Beading, and Traditional Foods. The lesson plans and videos highlight Knowledge Keepers walking in the tall prairie grass, Elders preparing la galette (bannock), students learning Michif numbers, and family greeting each other for tea. We hope these resources will assist you in your learning.
Learn how important Métis cultural values are expressed through Michif, a language that arose in tandem with the Métis Nation.
Visitors are always welcome in a Michif household! In this learning package, we not only learn some basic expressions to greet people in Michif, but we are also encouraged to think about how language acts as a vehicle for the expression of culture.
Conversational Michif
Conversational Michif lesson plan #1 – grades 1-3
Conversational Michif lesson plan #2 – grades 4-8
Activity cards:
Create works of art in the traditional style of the Flower Beadwork People
Traditional Métis artwork takes many forms, from hooked rugs to embroidery to sash weaving, but they are perhaps most famous for their intricate beadwork. In this lesson, we will learn about the significance of beading in Métis culture and create our own works of art mimicking the traditional style of this beautiful artform.
Métis beadwork
Beading lesson plan #1 grades 2 – 5
Beading lesson plan #2 grades 6 – 8
Traditional Métis Harvesting Methods
Métis leaders share their knowledge of traditional plants and harvesting while standing in the tall prairie grass, listening to the wind.
Have some fun learning about traditional Métis foods. Learn how foods are selected and used in recipes. Then go from the classroom into nature to put some traditional harvesting lessons into practice.
Traditional foods
Traditional foods lesson plan #1 – Grades 1-4
Traditional foods lesson plan #2 – Grades 4-7
Activity cards:
1. Traditional Foods Bannock Recipe
2. Traditional Foods Cooking Terms Teacher Card
3. Traditional Foods Image Cards
Traditional harvesting
Traditional harvesting lesson plan #1 – Grades 1-4
Traditional harvesting lesson plan #2 – Grades 4-7
Activity cards:
1. Traditional Harvesting Image Cards
2. Traditional Harvesting Journal Template
3. Traditional Harvesting Teacher Terms Card
4. Traditional Harvesting Wild Rose Colouring Sheet
Learn Métis geographical terms and definitions and their historical context.
Through storytelling, Elders describe how Métis learn from and live off the land. In this learning package students and teachers will explore Michif words, Elder knowledge, and geographical terms. Videos and excerpts highlight the work of St. Pierre and Caron as they reflect on their own experiences connecting to the land and settling in Métis communities that thrive today.
Geographical Terms in Michif
Geographical terms lesson plan #1 – Grades 2-5
Geographical terms lesson plan #2 – Grades 8-12
Activity cards:
1. Geographical Terms Feedback From My Peers Card
2. Geographical Terms Learning From The Land Card
3. Geographical Terms Living Off The Land Card
Discover how music and dance shape Métis culture and tradition.
In this learning package we step lively through the years as Métis fiddle music and jigging play. Métis celebrations and gatherings often include song and dance. We will discover how European roots merged into the sounds of Métis music today.
Jigging
Jigging lesson plan #1 – Grades 1-3
Jigging lesson plan #2 – Grades 4-6
