Canyon-Lister Elementary School students had the opportunity of spending time with Métis educator Amy Cross and elder Marie Schoenthal before Christmas.
Cross visited the Grade 1/2 and 2/3 classes. Students learned to play the Métis spoons in rhythm to familiar Christmas tunes, and later they practised some basic jig steps while listening to traditional fiddle tunes such as the “Red River Jig”.
The Grade 4/5 and Grade 7 classes listened to the childhood stories of Schoenthal, or Koukoom. She spoke of her Métis heritage and her personal journey to feeling proud of who she is. She spoke of her loving family and how they overcame the challenges they faced living in a remote community with no electricity, or running water. Living on the “road allowance” required resourcefulness — harvesting berries and hunting. Schoenthal grew up speaking the traditional language of Michif, yet learned to speak and write English at school. She shared childhood stories of discrimination while focusing on the importance of always being kind and respectful to all people.
To celebrate their time together, the students learned to make traditional bannock bread and then enjoyed a bannock feast with a little butter and jam. Teachers and students are so very grateful to Cross and Schoenthal for a wonderful day of learning!
—CANYON-LISTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
