Education News Spring 2020 | Page 9

Throughout the semester , Pacholko ’ s class informed themselves of road allowance construction techniques by visiting Kohkum ’ s cabin at the Gabriel Dumont Institute Building in Saskatoon . They also took visits to the Lebret Métis farm and talked with Old Ones about the types of materials used in constructing road allowance houses . Finally , they had well-known Red River cart builder George Fayant visit their classroom to teach about traditional tools and wood joining techniques .
A number of students reflected on the process . This included third year student Kyra Menhart whose reflection was quite philosophical . As she put it : “ The house is a piece of art that tells stories of our people . As students , our aim was to be authentic . The authenticity was driven by our goal to honour our Old Ones , their stories , and their memories within our house . Displaying it at the Métis Kitchen Party allowed us to see some of our biggest Métis role models enjoy it most . The party helped to weave together our stories , memories and laughter !”
The event was held at Eastview Community Center on November 22 , 2019 . It was important for the staff and students to bring the event to the Old Ones and community members , rather than asking them to travel to the university campus . Over 100 people attended , including Michif Old Ones Jeanne Pelletier , Irma Klyne , Jeanette Grams , Delora Parisian , Norma and Joe Welsh , and Cliff LaPlante . Others included former GDI employees Calvin Racette , Joanne Pelletier , and Beverly Cardinal .
We were also joined by the students , faculty , and staff from Dumont Technical Institute Adult Basic Education program which is currently housed at Eastview Community Center . In addition to the dancing and storytelling , invitees feasted on a student prepared meal of bannock , boulettes , and stew .
Michif cultural carrier and Old One Irma Klyne stated , “ This was a great way to help our students understand how Michif lived on the road allowance . Most have no idea of what people needed to do daily to survive and how resourceful we were . This project allowed them to research that aspect of our lives .”
The road allowance home will continue to inform and inspire students and visitors to the GDI Library as the house has been transported and set up permanently within the library .
Overall , the day was a great success . Old Ones mingled with students as they shared road allowance memories sparked by the reconstructed home . Students were proud to share what they had learned with the community . Throughout the process , faculty observed high levels of commitment and engagement from students and we are excited to plan future collaborative assignments which will allow our SUNTEP community to continue to connect to our extended families and histories in the broader Michif community of Southern Saskatchewan . Ekoshi .
First printed by GDI Communicator , Feb . 2020 . Photos and captions provided by Brenna Pacholko
Tristan Frei , Jordan Parisian , Dee Aubichon , and Tana Terry at the Metis Farm near Lebret SK collecting some barn board .
George Fayant demonstrated woodworking techniques and discussed some traditional methods for Road Allowance house construction
Paige LaRose , Jordan Parisian , Micheal Langan , Kaleb Desjarlais and Tristan Frei experiment with some of the tools
Year 3 group picture with George Fayant
Kohkom Brenda Dubois helped to celebrate at the Kitchen Table Party
Kaleb Desjarlais , Jordan Parisian , and Micheal Langan share a laugh after setting up the Road Allowance House Interior
Year 1 SUNTEP students show off their Metis dancing skills at the Kitchen Table Party
Education News | Page 9