At Youth4Youth Canada, we care deeply about creating spaces where culture is not only talked about, but experienced through mind, body, heart, and spirit
It was a privilege to lead a hands-on Métis Culture and Jigging Workshop for the children of an Aboriginal Head Start Program. The staff were warm and attentive to the needs of the children and seemed genuine focus on the principles of Indigenous education.
Children aged 2-6 years old were shown how to make and play their own spoons. It was a lot of fun watching everyone tap their spoons to the beat of The Lucky Trapper's Reel. Afterwards, everyone was taught some basic jigging steps to the lively fiddle tune Rubber Dolly.
There was so much good energy and excitement in the room as we listened, laughed, and learned together. At the end of the workshop, we handed out some homemade blueberry bannock bites and some colouring pages with traditional Métis items so that they could share what they learned with their families.
It's important to instill curiosity and connect with children of all abilities so that everyone can participate, experience, and pass culture forward in a more meaningful way.
