In his article They Would Call Me a “Denier” – Let Me Explain what I Believe about Residential Schools in Canada, Rodney Clifton examines the claim that thousands of Indigenous children were forced from their homes, put into residential schools, and many, if not all, were murdered by their caregivers. This post provides a short-read…
Weaving, a skill used for centuries to make useful items for life, is also an easy craft for young children to begin to see patterns, and learn to create order and usefulness from basic items. Find out the value of weaving for children, and see easy tutorials in the videos or Blog Link here. Related…
The great Cree Chief, Mistahimaskwa, was the last Chief to reluctantly sign the infamous numbered treaties that confined aboriginals to reservations. He held out because he accurately foresaw the consequences of that policy. Changes brought by the railway and settlement in the west tragically destroyed the way of life of the First Peoples. Mistahimaskwa, known…
Birch bark is a pliable wood and most known for use in canoe construction. First Nations peoples used birch bark for many things, from covering their wigwams, making cradle boards for carrying babies, to using it for baskets, bowls, and even cooking pots. Students can have fun making a birch bark basket with instructions in…
]The igloo is a simple, yet complex structure recognized around the world. It has been decades since igloos were a common form of housing for the Inuit, but it’s still an iconic symbol for Canada’s northern people and for all Canadians. How does a house made of snow keep anyone warm, especially when it’s –40°…
Lyrics in French (Canadian dialect):
Quand on part des chanquiers
Mes chers amis tous le coeur gai
Pour aller voir tous nos parents
Mes chers amis le coeur content.
Envoyons d’l’avant nos gens
Envoyons d’l’avant!
Mais qu’nos amis nous voyent arriver
Y vont s’mettr’ à rire, à chanter.
Dimanche au soir à la veillée
Nous irons voir nos compagnées.
Dimanche au soir à la veillée
Nous irons voir nos compagnées.
Elles vont nous dire mais en entrant
V’là mon amant, j’ai l’coeur content!
Elles vont nous dire mais en entrant
V’là mon amant, j’ai l’coeur content!
Et au milieu de la veillée
Elles vont nous parler d’leus cavaliers.
Et au milieu de la veillée
Elles vont nous parler d’leurs cavaliers.
Elles vont nous dire mais en partant
As-tu fréquenté des amants?
Elles vont nous dire mais en partant
As-tu fréquenté des amants?
Qui a composé la chanson?
C’est Jos Blanchet le joli garçon!
English translation:
When we leave the chanquiers (woodworking locations)
My dear friends, all with hearts gay,
To see all our friends and family,
My dear friends, all with hearts gay,
Let’s go boys, let’s go!
Let’s go boys, let’s go!
When our friends will see us arrive,
They start laughing and singing,
Sunday night at the vigil,
We’ll go see our partners,
Sunday night at the vigil,
We’ll go see our partners,
They’ll tell us as we enter,
Here’s my lover, my heart is happy,
They’ll tell us as we enter,
Here’s my lover, my heart is happy,
And at the middle of the vigil,
They’ll tell us of their lovers,
And at the middle of the vigil,
They’ll tell us of their lovers,
And they’ll ask us as we leave,
Did you go see any mistresses?
And they’ll ask us as we leave,
Did you go see any mistresses?
Who wrote the song?
It was Jo Blanchet, the pretty boy
