Join celebrated Métis artist Leah Dorion as she takes us on a fascinating tour through the rich history of the Métis people of Saskatchewan, including their Michif language, and many cultural traditions based on their centuries of life in Canada's west and north.
Publisher
Canadian Geographic - Metis Nation Saskatchewan - Explore Podcast Productions
Episode 10: Vincent Ahenakew - The Story of Northern Michif
On this final episode of Paykiiwikay - Season 1, we travel to the thriving Metis community of Ile-a-la-Crosse, the heartland of the Northern Michif dialect, to meet with the man who has arguably done more than any other to revitalize Northern Michif as a living language. This year Vincent Ahenakew is retiring as the Principal of the Rossignol High School where, for decades, he spearheaded efforts to bring Michif into the school curriculum. He was so successful, that having passed a course in Michif is now a requirement to graduate, and Michif can be heard in the hallways, classrooms and read in text-books, many of which Ahenakew translated himself. He also literally wrote the book on Northern Michif, as the creator of the Michif/Cree Dictionary: Nêhiyawêwin Masinahiķan, published with the Gabriel Dumont Institute. You can also hear his voice on the “Northern Michif To Go” language App that he helped develop. We hope you enjoy this episode with one of the great Metis educators.Host Leah Dorion and producer David McGuffin would like to thank their colleagues at the Metis Nation Saskatchewan and Canadian Geographic for making this season possible. And they also want to thank our guests for their wonderful telling of the story of the Metis people, and to you, our listeners, for making this podcast a success. It is now a featured series on Apple Podcasts Indigenous Voices category.Mína ka wapamitin! See you in Season 2!
4 May 2021
Episode 9: Amy Briley - Traditional Metis Beadwork and Sewing
"Métis people, we use a lot of colour in our beadwork. We're very colourful people as it is, and so we infuse that into our artwork. We're known as the flower-beadwork people because all of our clothing traditionally was very heavily adorned with these very beautiful, intricate flower patterns."Amy Briley, a leading Metis traditional beadwork and sewing expert, is our guest on this episode of Paykiiwikay. She and Leah talk about the history and traditions of Metis beadwork, one of the defining aspects of Métis culture. Amy discusses her own Métis heritage and how she came to be an author and leading educator on Métis sewing traditions through her work at the Gabriel Dumont Institute. She recalls working on her first pair of moccasins, the art of choosing the right moosehide, how to get started in beadwork and why this craft is vitally important to keep alive.Links to learn more:WÂPIKWANIY: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO MÉTIS FLORAL BEADWORK by Amy Briley, Sherry Farrell Racette and Scofieldgdins.org/product/wapikwaniy-a…tis-floral-beadwork/ (%5C)Video: Our Shared Inheritance - Traditional Métis Beadwork. Gabriel Dumont Institute.www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GcmH7wnK3c (%5C)Canadian Geographic and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) are proud to present Paykiiwikay Métis Culture Podcast, a series exploring the rich Métis culture and Michif language. Hosted by interdisciplinary Métis artist, mentor and author Leah Dorion, the first 10 episodes of Paykiiwikay, which is Michif for “come and visit,” take listeners on a journey through Métis communities around the province of Saskatchewan.Paykiiwikay is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions in Ottawa.Our opening theme music is by Adam Daigneault. The closing theme is by Leah Marie Dorion.
20 Apr 2021
Episode 8: Cort Dogniez - Teaching Michif to Urban Métis
On this episode of Paykiiwikay, we're joined by award winning Métis educator, Cort Dogniez. He is an active leader in the revival of the Michif language for urban Métis in his hometown of Saskatoon and beyond. A teacher with decades of experience in Indigenous education, he is currently the Métis Education Program Leader based at St. Michael’s Elementary School in Saskatoon. There he developed and helps guide the groundbreaking core Michif program for young learners that was launched in 2019.A descendant of the Dumont family, Cort has a deep knowledge of Métis history, including little understood areas like our role in the Treaty process, as you’ll hear in the interview.He is also an author of an ongoing series of Métis history books for young readers. The First book in that series, "Road to La Prairie Ronde," is available through the Gabriel Dumont Institute Press.Canadian Geographic and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) are proud to present Paykiiwikay Métis Culture Podcast, a series exploring the rich Métis culture and Michif language. Hosted by interdisciplinary Métis artist, mentor and author Leah Dorion, the first 10 episodes of Paykiiwikay, which is Michif for “come and visit,” take listeners on a journey through Métis communities around the province of Saskatchewan. Paykiiwikay is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions in Ottawa.Our opening theme music is by Adam Daigneault. The closing theme is by Leah Marie Dorion.
Métis elder Joanna Potyondi traces her roots back to one of the first Michif leaders, Cuthbert Grant, the hero of a crucible moment in the birth of the Metis people, the Battle of Seven Oaks in 1816. And she has Grant's shotgun to prove it. Now in her 80's, Grandma Joe was raised in Roche Percée, Southern Saskatchewan, by her grandparents who were born in the midst of the Métis Resistance of the 1880's. She has lived her life steeped in the rich heritage of Métis horse culture that grew out of the years of the buffalo hunt and has dedicated her life to sharing the stories and traditions of Saskatchewan’s Qu’Appelle Valley with the generations that have followed. Canadian Geographic and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) are proud to present Paykiiwikay Métis Culture Podcast, a series exploring the rich Métis culture and Michif language. Hosted by interdisciplinary Métis artist, mentor and author Leah Dorion, the first 10 episodes of Paykiiwikay, which is Michif for “come and visit,” take listeners on a journey through Métis communities around the province of Saskatchewan. Paykiiwikay is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions in Ottawa.Our opening theme music is by Adam Daigneault. The closing theme is by Leah Marie Dorion.
23 Mar 2021
Episode 6: Métis Fiddling with Adam Daigneault
In this episode, award-winning Métis musician Adam Daigneault talks about his love of traditional Métis fiddle music, his influences and mentors in northern Saskatchewan, the centuries long history of the fiddle in the northwest and its importance to Métis people. Adam is also the fiddler who plays the Paykiiwikay theme song, Buffalo Gals. He tells us about the Red River origins of this classic Michif song.Canadian Geographic and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) are proud to present Paykiiwikay Métis Culture Podcast, a series exploring the rich Métis culture and Michif language. Hosted by interdisciplinary Métis artist, mentor and author Leah Dorion, the first 10 episodes of Paykiiwikay, which is Michif for “come and visit,” take listeners on a journey through Métis communities around the province of Saskatchewan.Paykiiwikay is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions in Ottawa.Our opening theme music is by the man above, Adam Daigneault. The closing theme is by Leah Marie Dorion.
9 Mar 2021
Episode 5: Elder Norman Fleury - The history of Michif and Metis Nation.
This episode of Paykiiwikay takes a deep dive into the history of the Michif language, from its earliest roots in the fur trade, up to the present day and why Michif language preservation is so important. Our guest is Norman Fleury. He is considered the world\'s leading Michif language expert, translator, and knowledge keeper. Originally from St. Lazare, Manitoba, Norman has authored and translated numerous books about the Michif. He has worked extensively with Elders to preserve and document the Michif language. His “Michif Dictionary” published through the Gabriel Dumont Institute (2013) is available in audio and written form. He teaches at the University of SaskatchewanCanadian Geographic and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) are proud to present Paykiiwikay Métis Culture Podcast, a series exploring the rich Métis culture and Michif language. Hosted by interdisciplinary Métis artist, mentor and author Leah Dorion, the first 10 episodes of Paykiiwikay, which is Michif for “come and visit,” take listeners on a journey through Métis communities around the province of Saskatchewan.Paykiiwikay is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions in Ottawa.Our opening theme music is by Adam Daigneault. The closing theme is by Leah Marie Dorion.
23 Feb 2021
Episode 4: Chef Jenni Lessard - Michif Culture in Traditional and Contemporary Cooking
Jenni Lessard is one of Canada’s top chefs and proud of her Saskatchewan Metis roots. She and Leah talk about why making and processing traditional Metis foods, including the harvesting of local ingredients, helps contribute to the preservation of Michif language and identity. Chef Jenny Lessard is a professional Metis chef employed as the Indigenous Culinary Consultant at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatoon. Canadian Geographic and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) are proud to present Paykiiwikay Métis Culture Podcast, a series exploring the rich Métis culture and Michif language. Hosted by interdisciplinary Métis artist, mentor and author Leah Dorion, the first 10 episodes of Paykiiwikay, which is Michif for “come and visit,” take listeners on a journey through Métis communities around the province of Saskatchewan.Paykiiwikay is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions in Ottawa.Our opening theme music is by Adam Daigneault. The closing theme is by Leah Marie Dorion.
9 Feb 2021
Episode 3: Calvin Racette - The Michif Language, Loss and Redemption
In this episode Leah and guest Calvin Racette explore stories of language loss and its impact on Métis Elders and community members. Elder Calvin teaches us about the historical factors that have led to the Michif language becoming endangered today.This episode talks about the Road Allowance experience and how racism and exclusion devalued Michif language retention and fluency. A former Executive Director of the Gabriel Dumont Institute, Calvin’s early career was spent as a researcher/curriculum writer for the GDI in Regina. He has written multiple acclaimed books on Métis history and culture. And he has been involved in a number of important Metis history documentaries, including “ La Sawndr akwa Mawtoowin (Ashes to Tears),” the Green Lake story. Calvin is a knowledge keeper and proud grandparent living in Regina, Saskatchewan.Canadian Geographic and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) are proud to present Paykiiwikay Métis Culture Podcast, a series exploring the rich Métis culture and Michif language. Hosted by interdisciplinary Métis artist, mentor and author Leah Dorion, the first 10 episodes of Paykiiwikay, which is Michif for “come and visit,” take listeners on a journey through Métis communities around the province of Saskatchewan.Paykiiwikay is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions in Ottawa.Our opening theme music is by Adam Daigneault. The closing theme is by Leah Marie Dorion.
26 Jan 2021
Episode 2: Andrea Menard - Promoting Michif Language Through Art
Andrea Menard is an award winning actress, singer, playwright and public speaker. She has starred in Netflix TV series, given Ted Talks and sung for royalty, and all of this began, she says, performing at Michif kitchen parties when she was a child. Now based in Vancouver, decades into her successful career she says she still draws heavily on her Michif roots to keep her grounded and help her explore creative boundaries.Canadian Geographic and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) are proud to present Paykiiwikay Métis Culture Podcast, a series exploring the rich Métis culture and Michif language. Hosted by interdisciplinary Métis artist, mentor and author Leah Dorion, the first 10 episodes of Paykiiwikay, which is Michif for “come and visit,” take listeners on a journey through Métis communities around the province of Saskatchewan.Paykiiwikay is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions in Ottawa.Our opening theme music is by Adam Daigneault. The closing theme is by Leah Marie Dorion.
19 Nov 2020
Episode 1: Michif History, Language and Culture featuring Russell Fayant
Leading Michif educator, Russell Fayant, shares the history of the Metis Nation in Saskatchewan and his own story as an example of how the Michif language almost died, and is now rallying back though SUNTEP Regina programs that promote Michif language, and summer immersion programs at Lebret Farms.Russell Fayant is Michif from li vallee qu’appelle, Saskatchewan, Canada. He is an instructor for the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program and resides in oskana ka-asasteki, otherwise known as Regina, Saskatchewan. Russell has spent the majority of his career working with and for Indigenous communities. He has a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Regina. He instructs courses in Michif history, culture and language and is working on reclaiming his traditional Michif language. His areas of research include Indigenous language revitalization, Michif history and Michif identity formation.Canadian Geographic and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) are proud to present Paykiiwikay Métis Culture Podcast, a series exploring the rich Métis culture and Michif language. Hosted by interdisciplinary Métis artist, mentor and author Leah Dorion, the first 10 episodes of Paykiiwikay, which is Michif for “come and visit,” take listeners on a journey through Métis communities around the province of Saskatchewan.Paykiiwikay is produced by David McGuffin of Explore Podcast Productions in Ottawa.Our opening theme music is by Adam Daigneault. The closing theme is by Leah Marie Dorion.
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