Introductions

Each of the Métis Elders and speakers of Michif shared a bit about themselves to introduce themselves to the others gathered and to the filmmakers. They describe something of their lives, the sources of their knowledge, the communities they grew up in and inhabit today, and aspects of the names they have been called or call themselves.

Elmer Introducing Elders

Elmer Ghostkeeper was born in Paddle Prairie. He describes being involved in Métis political processes but in this project he worked as a live interpreter of this Michif living, moving, breathing language.

Read More

Cecile Introducing Elders

Cecile Howse describes being educated at the Lac La Biche mission which was really more going to work than going to school. She describes growing up and life on the land, helping her father and […]

Read More

Esther Introducing Elders 1

Esther Auger introduces herself through a discussion of her family, a name she was given at birth, and where she was raised and how they lived.

Read More

Ella Introducing Elders

Ella Arcand’s ceremonial name is Woman – given by her grandfather on father’s side who was from Alexander – Kipohtakaw and called Letander. Her mother and grandmother are from Munto Sakahikan – Lac Ste. Anne […]

Read More

Tom Introducing Elders

Tom McCallum introduces himself as originally from Île-à-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan, his parents, and that he spoke only Cree until at school he learned English from nuns and priests. He describes the changes that came to the […]

Read More

Julia Introducing Elders

Julia Pitzel (nee Cummings) describes growing up in Buffalo Narrows and speaking Dene, Cree, and English and being called half-breeds. She describes close family ties and working together. They fed people who came to visit […]

Read More

Diane Introducing Elders

Dianne Ludwig (nee Mckay) describes growing up in Buffalo Narrows in Northern Saskatchewan and accompanying grandparents on the trap line and speaking only Cree until going to school where she was told not to speak […]

Read More

Don Introducing Elders

Don Cunningham describes growing up where his father worked in the bush with horses and only speaking Cree. Only white people spoke English then. His father hauled freight for the Hudson’s Bay Company in northern […]

Read More

Francis Introducing Elders

Francis Dumais describes growing up in a large family in Pierceland, Saskatchewan, then Kehewin when they had treaty and now living as Métis/half-breed in Bonnyville. He has many children and grandchildren and lives well.

Read More