Metis Literature Connection
You can find this storyboard in the following articles and resources:
Métis Nation of Canada Teacher Guide
By Liane Hicks
In Canada, the Métis Nation refers to people of both European and Indigenous ancestry. They are descendants of First Nations mothers and European fur trappers and traders who arrived in the 1700s. Engage and educate students with Storyboard That premade activities!
Storyboard Description
There are many stories written by Métis authors that can inform students in an engaging way about the lives, culture and traditions of the Métis people. This story is called "The Secret of Your Name". The author, David Bouchard, wrote it for his Kokums, his grandmothers. It tells "the story of so many Metis whose Grandmothers names were kept hidden so that we might not know of our Native ancestry."
Storyboard Text
- THE GIVING TREE by Leah Dorion
- GRANDPA'S STORY
- A SPECIAL MANITOBA MAPLE
- This is a retelling of the traditional Métis story about giving and receiving. It emphasizes the 12 core Métis values of strength, kindness, courage, tolerance, honesty, respect, love, sharing, caring, balance, patience, and the important connection with the Creator and Mother Earth.
- HONESTY AND RESPECT
- Once there was a tree: "an old, twisted Manitoba Maple". My grandpa loved that tree and called it "the Giving Tree." It had a hollow that was always filled with something special for the Métis people!
- CARING AND SHARING
- The Giving Tree was along a road halfway between the Métis villages. When Grandpa's family traveled by horse and wagon, they would stop by the tree to have a picnic of bannock, tea and pemmican. One day, they forgot the sugar for the tea! That's when Grandpa learned the magic of the Giving Tree!
- THE METIS WAY
- Grandpa's father told him that the Giving Tree was a special cache where the Metis people could communicate and share with others. It was a symbol of honesty and respect. When Grandpa looked inside he saw sugar, tea, tobacco, letters, flour, even moccasins! Grandpa said once there was even an engagement ring in the tree!
- If you took something from the tree, it was your responsibility to put something back in return. It was "the Métis way" to be kind, generous and helpful towards others. Grandpa's family borrowed sugar from the tree and they put pretty polka dotted handkerchiefs in return.
- My grandpa made me promise to tell my children about the Giving Tree and pass on to future generations the true spirit of the Métis and our values of honesty, respect, kindness and generosity: the "Metis Way."
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