Elementary Students Learn Traditional Songs and Legends from Stellat'en Artist

December 16, 2019

By Jordan Cryderman

Nancy Alexander, Van Bien’s student counsellor, saw the opportunity to work with Candice George, and applied for an Artstarts grant to make it happen.

“I had worked with Candice before, doing cultural education, and I knew how well she connected with students.”

George is an independent artist, traditional drummer, singer, storyteller, and founder of Skeh Nek'huna Hohdidul'eh (“teaching children our ways”). Her passion is working with children, and so this program at Van Bien was the perfect opportunity.

“My passion is to revitalize our culture, and revitalize our stories and our songs, and to build up our students and to give them amazing opportunities to see what their talents are and where their skills are, and to develop their skillset and their talent.”

Over the 9-weeks, George shared legends with the students.  They included stories about Mouse Mountain. Another was called the Blindman and the Loon. Those legends were then interpreted into Claymation videos.

Alexander says that transcribing the legends brought out the individual talents of the students.

“It really tapped into different students’ strengths because some students are really good with hands- on, and others were good at writing scripts.”

Alexander says the Claymation project also promoted teamwork and cooperation.  

“One time I was in the classroom, and they had to make a loon [with clay] … They said ‘David can make the loon, he’s phenomenal with his hands.’ David doesn’t speak English, he’s a student from a different country who lives here.”

Rayah Morrison-Murdock, a fifth-grade student, said that her favourite part of the Claymation videos was “making the characters…[it] was the most funnest part because I got to put moustaches on them.”

To create a sense of belonging and community, the parents were invited into the classroom during George’s lessons.

Kara Haack, whose child is in kindergarten, said that the first time she attended the classroom sessions, she was almost overwhelmed with emotion.

“These kids were so connected with themselves, with respecting the animal, the wood, and for the trees. They learned that in this tiny short time.”

Alexander says that she was excited to see the level of involvement from the parents.

“I saw more parents coming in and waiting to get into their classrooms to participate in the drumming…. [the children] are very proud of themselves to be able to perform, and especially proud of themselves when their parents are coming to see them and when they can show off in their classroom.”

However, the project wasn’t always easy, says George.

“When we started, they were a hot mess. They weren’t drumming together, some would pay attention, some wouldn’t.”

But that would change, and 9 weeks later the students came together and learned the songs.

Watching the children as they learned the customs was powerful, says George. Some of the children even broke out of their shell during the 9 weeks.

“There’s a young aboriginal student…she’s often super shy, but when it came to drumming, she was a shining star.  …they’ll carry that forward… with their families. I think that’s exactly what my grandparents and great-grandparents have always done…to teach them traditional values, like respect.”

At one point during the lessons, George says a student came up to her. The grade 7 student said she could feel a presence of someone as George sang and danced.  

“She had heard someone singing with me. I said that I know that I’m not alone when I sing and drum, and I said it could have been one of my ancestors, or it could have been one of your ancestors.”

As the children presented to the school, Tracy Cole, Principal at Van Bien, looked on with pride.  She says the investment in having George work with the students over a longer period of time was worth it.

“Often when we have presenters come in, it’s a one-shot deal, and to be able to work with Candice over 9 weeks, and be able to build upon those skills, and then have a celebration of the learning that is taking place, was very powerful for me."

Also watching was Shenelle McLeod. All three of her children attend Van Bien. She says she was amazed at how involved the kids were with the drumming.

“The drumming was amazing, and I kind of expected that, but they learned so many songs. The Claymation was so in-depth…I was surprised how much they were doing and learning.”

Alexander says that “even students who are not Indigenous, they felt proud too to be participating and know that we all belong together and we all have stories to tell and we’re all a product of our environment, and of our ancestors.”

As Van Bien looks forward to maintaining the same level of community, Alexander says that the school will be looking for more opportunities to include the whole community in the students’ education.

Now that the project is over, George will be leaving the Van Bien Elementary. For now.

“I’m filled with overwhelming happiness, and sadness at the same time because I’m not going to see them as regularly. Until I’m invited back again!”

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At CSFS, we applaud the hard work by Candice George. She has helped facilitate a community where all are welcome, no matter where you’re from or your cultural background.

For more on this story – and to see examples of the Claymation work the children did, check back on csfs.org.

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