Classroom / Toys

Grade Level: All Ages

Narrators: Penny Condon, Anna Flaminio, and Cheryl Troupe

To showcase and celebrate the artistic talents of Métis women, the Gabriel Dumont Institute produced The Métis Women’s Traditional Arts Series. This DVD contains the four-video series, which provides in-depth instruction and direction in the production of various forms of Métis cultural expression.

Aen Kroshay aen tapee avec mi gineey: Métis Hooked Rugs

Margaret Harrison, and her mother, Adeline Pelletier dite Racette, provide the viewer with step-by-step instructions on how to make a hooked rug. As well, Margaret and Adeline share their stories about living on a road allowance in the Qu’Appelle Valley in southern Saskatchewan.

Mashnikwawchikun avec la sway di fil: Métis Silk Embroidery

With instruction from Margaret Harrison, viewers have the opportunity to learn basic embroidery stitches, and receive direction in working with patterns, designs, needles, and fabrics. Margaret also shares her experiences and thoughts on the importance of preserving and promoting this traditional Métis art form.

En saencheur flechey: Métis Fingerweaving

Combining Aboriginal fingerweaving techniques with European materials, the sash remains an integral and highly symbolic aspect of Métis identity. In this video, Penny Condon provides fingerweaving lessons to grade seven and eight students from St. Frances School in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Our Shared Inheritance: Traditional Métis Beadwork

This documentary discusses the Métis beading tradition of Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, and centres on Isabelle Impey and her efforts to preserve Métis beadwork. It also provides instructions on how to bead and make moccasins.

Grade Level: All Ages


Choreographer: Jeanne Pelletier
“The Métis Thunder” Dancers: Jeannine Pelletier-Banin, Paul Banin,
Kim Kovacs, Wilfred Burton, Erin Kramer, Russ Fayant, Michael Racette,
Derek Racette, Megan Shiplack, and Nicole Morrow
Music: Brian Sklar, Joe Schultz, Wayne Kuntz, and Garry Lepine
Producer/Director: Don List, Birdsong Communications
Format: DVD, Approximately 70 minutes

Jeanne Pelletier’s Steps in Time II instructs people of all ages the intricate steps of the “Red River Jig”, and square dancing moves and holds. It includes three reels of the “Quadrille” and “la danse du crochet.” A conversation with Jeanne outlines her history as a dance instructor and caller, and why dance is important. Also included on this DVD is the original Steps in Time from 1989, which teaches dancers the “Duck Dance,” some basic Métis dance steps, fancy jig steps, and the “Rabbit Dance.”

Help children identify their emotions with photo emotion cards.

Card Size: 8.5" x 5.5"

Includes:
Happy
Afraid
Guilty
Excited
Sorry
Jealous
Sad
Tired
Bored
Loved
Embarrassed
Surprised
Shy
Hopeful

This little bat puppet spreads skin-thin wings, ready to take to the sky on the tip of your finger. With silk-screened detailing and beady black eyes, the only aerial mammal will make a fine specimen to add to your finger puppet collection.

Additional Information

• 10" Wide

This mini beaver puppet is ready to get down to business. His resume includes sleek brown fur (for swimming), front teeth (for gnawing), a flat textured tail (for thumping) ready to go to anywhere with you. He enjoys travel or settling by your computer.

7 inch long

This large buffalo finger puppet would be a wonderful resource to use with the following books:

• Buffalo Wild!
• Honouring the Buffalo: A Plains Cree Legend
• Métis Camp Circle: A Bison Culture Way of Life

This tiny woodland creature appears to be alive when nestled atop your finger. With lifelike detail, this miniature Chipmunk finger puppet will bring to your home the charm of a walk in the woods.

8 inch long

The power to fly like an eagle is at your fingertips, and your imagination. All you need now is this Eagle finger puppet and you're ready to soar!

5 inch tall

6 inch long, 3 inch wide, 2.5 inch tall

A favorite of the finger puppets, this charming field mouse has mottled brown plush and big soft ears.

Additional Information
Measures 3 inches long x 2 inches wide x 4 inches tall

A velvety-soft emerald green body compliments the ruby throat of this nearly life-sized Hummingbird Finger Puppet.

5 inch long

The sheer wings of this finger puppet, silk screened with the realistic orange and black markings of the Monarch Butterfly, flutter gracefully up and down with the motion of your hand. Its stretchy nylon fabric body fits fingers of many sizes.

4 inches long

Dive into adventure with the Narwhal finger puppet, an arctic animal with a long protruding tooth that gives it the nickname “unicorn of the sea.”

This stripy-tailed, masked bandit and raider of garbage cans sits perched to steal your heart. From his clever paws to the end of his bushy tail, this Raccoon finger puppet has the classic look of the always-in-trouble, but too-cute-to-punish.

5 inch long, 2.5 inch wide, 3 inch tall

An important figure in folklore, mythology and literature from various cultures all over the world, this finger-sized Raven finger puppet is a perfect representation of the iconic bird.

Features:

• 7 inches long, 3 inches wide, 5.5 inches tall