Classroom / Toys

The Art Of Being Métis is a ten-part documentary (150 min) that tells of being Métis through the teachings of the traditional birch bark canoe. This includes the history, construct, use, as well as traditional harvesting, music, food and even healthful plants and medicines. Follow along and see a birch bark canoe envisioned, the materials harvested, all the stages of the build and finally launch. Each stage is filled with teachings about the land and the water, about taking what you need, not what you want, and respecting Mother Earth. This movie has been featured at the McMichael Art Gallery and The Montreal Indigenous Film Festival.

This documentary film follows Mahigan through all the facets of creating a traditional birch bark canoe. Much more than a how-to film, the viewer will be taken on a spiritual journey that contemplates the very close relationship the people of the Métis Nation and all indigenous peoples have, with Mother Earth. Mahigan will discuss the meaning of being Métis as well as what living a Métis lifestyle means. The viewer will also learn about the language, customs, culture, food and music of the Métis People. The Métis Nation is recognized by The United Nations.

Indigenous Peoples see themselves as an important part of nature, but not more or less important than any other creature in nature. A common respect for all living things and Mother Earth are central themes within indigenous cultures throughout the world. Indigenous peoples were the first conservationists and are leaders in earth stewardship today.

Mahigan shares many stories and teachings through the various parts of the creation of his birch bark canoe. From the selection and harvesting of the materials to the shaping of those materials into a finished canoe, viewers will learn about Métis and indigenous culture and perhaps even a little about themselves.

Divided into ten segments:
- The Blueprint for the Canoe...jiimaan (13:34 min.)
- Harvesting Birch Bark (11:03 min.)
- Harvesting Cedar (19:50 min.)
- Roots and Gum (21:24 min.)
- Finding Balance (11:24 min.)
- Challenging Times (16:41 min.)
- Back to Balance (20:47 min.)
- Patience (13:51 min.)
- The Art of the Canoe (15:38 min.)
- The Canoe is Born (10:22 min.) 

Educator Information
This edition includes PPR (Public Performance Rights) suitable for classrooms, organizations and theatres fundraisers and more.
 
Additional Information
DVD format, 2.01" x 2.94" | Feature-length documentary
 

Mini Frog Finger Puppet / Grenouille marionnette à doigt

Approx 12.7cm long, 7.6cm tall, 15.2cm wide.

Brilliantly colored and extraordinary, the Red Octopus Finger puppet is ready for marine exploration and beach fun!

Canoe with Bear, Raven and Frog Finger Puppets
All with First Nations Designs by Bill Helin

Canoe Length: Approx 12"
Bear and Raven: Approx 5"
Frog: Approx 3.5"

Salmon Finger Puppet with First Nations Designs by Bill Helin

Length: Approx 5"

Designed by artist Ben Houstie (Bella Bella).

Additional Information

• Approx 12"
• High-quality stuffed animal.

Salmon Plush with First Nations designs by Bill Helin

Length: Approx 12"

Experience the beauty of life and the magic of metamorphosis with the Monarch Life Cycle puppet. A wonderful teaching tool with extraordinary design, this unique toy changes from caterpillar to chrysalis to adult monarch butterfly. Utilize the zippers to tuck and reveal one stage to the next and watch life unfold before your eyes! Once the transformation is complete, insert your hands into the monarch wings to cause a flutter with your friends.

Features:

• 12 inches long, 22 inches wide, 4 inches tall (Note: 22" width is the wingspan).

Turtle Book Spine Labels are 1” round high-quality plastic labels. Each label features the four colours of the Medicine Wheel encircling a turtle. Each Roll contains 250 stickers.

The turtle is important in many First Nations cultures as it represents “Turtle Island,” also known as North America. Also, the 13 sections on turtles back signify the 13 lunar months of the calendar. These plastic stickers have been made with a high-grade adhesive to ensure that they will stick to your Indigenous book collection for a long time.

Additional Information
Each Roll Contains 250 Stickers | Product Number: 4593128660486

Celebrate the arrival of spring with the Spring Bulletin Board Trimmers. The scene is set with frogs, eggs and pond grasses. The frogs are illustrated by Bill Helin.

15 pieces cover nearly 44 feet around your bulletin board.

Each piece is 35" x 2.75".

Additional Information
ISBN: 4593128590400

Bring the joy wherever you go! With soft plush the color of sunshine, the Duckling Finger Puppet chirps happily with a little shake. 

Additional Information

• 5" long x 3" wide x 4" tall 

Ce jeu de cartes donne deux opportunités d'apprentissage. Le paquet comprend 25 cartes qui démontrent les cinq espèces de saumon, les six cycles de vie du saumon, et une image du timbre du Saumon. Les cartes d'espèces des saumons montrent la phase marine et la phase de frai du saumon.

25 cartes – 1 carte d'instructions et 2 de chaque : 

• Les œufs 

• Les fretins 

• L'alevin  

• Les saumoneaux 

• Les adultes 

• Les géniteurs 

• Le saumon rouge 

• Le saumon coho 

• Le saumon rose 

• Le saumon kéta 

• Le saumon quinnat 

• Le timbre du Saumon  

Educator Information / Information pour éducateurs  
Cette ressource est aussi disponible en anglais ICI.

Additional Information / Information additionnelle
Dimensions: 4,5" x 3,5" | ISBN : 459312860039

Les joueurs peuvent classer les cartes à partir des groupes ci-dessous ou ils peuvent les classer à partir des quatre saisons.

Les Cartes des Saisons :

• 4 Oiseaux
• 4 Mammifères
• 2 Arachnides/2 Insectes
• 4 Arbres
• 4 Plantes

Educator Information / Information pour éducateurs 
Ces cartes supportent le livre Nous partageons les saisons de la collection Des montagnes à la mer.

Cette ressource est aussi disponible en anglais ICI.

Additional Information / Information additionnelle
Dimensions : 4,5" x 3,5" | ISBN : 459312860046

Célébrez les saisons avec cet ensemble de quatre affiches de lune inspirés par le livre Nous partageons les saisons. Chaque lune est magnifiquement illustrée par Tsimshian Bill Helin. Elles représentent le printemps, l’été, l'automne et l’hiver. Chaque affiche fait 10" x 14" et est fabriqué à partir de papier épais de haute qualité pour durer plusieurs saisons.

Educator Information / Information pour éducateurs 
Trouvez Nous Partageons les saisons ICI.

Cette ressource est aussi disponible en anglais ICI.

Additional Information / Information additionnelle
Dimensions: 10" x 14" | ISBN : 459312861012

Additional Information

• 9" long x 5" wide x 9" tall 
• Movable mouth and forelegs.