Article & photos by Gina Simon
For indigenous communities, storytelling is far more than a leisure activity; it is a fundamental method of preserving and transmitting indigenous knowledge across generations. MFN staff invited students from the local Michipicoten High School to come witness and experience how these narratives encapsulate the wisdom, values, and practical skills of a people. Through the generations this practice continues creating an archive of cultural identity that persists even amidst external pressures.
This recent visit by MHS students to MFN’s satellite office at 3 Maple Street, demonstrates how action and storytelling functions as a vehicle for preserving indigenous knowledge, with particular focus on oral tradition, the integration of spiritual and ecological wisdom, and the resilience of storytelling in the face of globalization and cultural assimilation.
Beginning with a participatory smudge of the sacred medicines the students were enveloped by the Culture, Language and Education Manager, Monique Pregent (Lacasse). She welcomed the students and explained what the days agenda was going entail. Followed by MFN Land Guardian Matthew Stone who explained the long arduous task of skinning and tanning hides.
He discussed the various tools and techniques he has learned along the way for working with moose hide, specifically how to prepare it for wet scraping.
He also shared how when you do not have others around to share the knowledge there are books that one can reference to the art of tanning hides. Matthew explained how he started with smaller hides, like those of minks and otters, before progressing to deer hides.
Other staff members on-hand from the MFN Lands and Environmental Stewardship Department explained the summer job opportunities for youth interested in the environmental job field. “Lands summer students will have the opportunity to participate in the important aspects of fieldwork and data collection, learning how Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Western science can be braided together to ensure environmental protection for the next 7 generations” explained MFN Biodiversity Coordinator Jessica Zadori. Students were reminded to ‘Keep an eye out! Job postings will be available on the MFN website and the Lands HUB over the next few months’.
Special Education Resource Teacher & Outdoor Learning Teacher, Laura Mitchell shared her sentiments:
- “Thank you again for providing such a rich learning opportunity to my students. As promised, having now had the chance to speak with the class about their experience and have them reflect on their learning, here are a few things they had to say…
- “I thought it was going to be a simple process, but there is so much to learn.”
- “It was nice to be able to get out and learn from those who are actually doing this stuff, to learn from their experience. I hope we can go back and see him in action!”
- “It was such a welcoming space; everyone was so kind.”
- “I appreciated all the stuff they shared, not only about the skinning, but learning about other cultural practices as well.”
In keeping with tradition, food was shared and MFN CLE Coordinator, Sandra Day, prepared a favourite – tomato macaroni soup and other goodies.
Pictured at left: Followed by teachings in the teepee, students gathered around the barrel which contained the moosehide, and heard more about how to use wood ash for soaking and how the combination of animal brains are utilized in the tanning process.