Turtles bring kids into another culture

“What Madam has invited me to do is to share earth-based arts with children,” she said. “I’ve been working with the kids all the time to teach about First Nations and Metis connection to the earth.”

The term Turtle Island, which means North America bringing together indigenous and European cultures, has been the basis of Dorion’s teachings.

“The turtle is the symbol for the Earth. They’ve done artwork, now they’re making clay expressions of turtles so it really enhances their teachings about Earth-based spirituality, [and] seeing Earth as a living being that’s to be respected,” she said.

Channeling the Magic School Bus’s message from Miss Frizzle to “take chances, make mistakes, and get messy,” Dorion’s way of passing on her teachings consists of getting messy and having fun, she said.

“I’m Metis and I’ve gotten a lot of…cultural teachings from women elders [mostly from Ontario, either Ojibway or Mohawk,]” she said. “They gifted me with this knowledge and I’m just sharing it with the kids and the families and women from my community.”

The purpose of the lessons, according to Dorion, is not to ignore other cultures that exist but rather to increase their knowledge about Canada’s first people.

“I think they really respect cultural diversity,” she said. “They just want to learn from other cultures, they don’t judge and they just get right involved.”

MacFarlane said the project is possible because of a grant from the Community Grant Program by the City of Prince Albert, for Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund for Sports, Culture and Recreation.

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter: @KaylaBruch1

by Kayla Bruch

Turtles bring kids into another culture

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