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Jacqueline Guest

Historical Presentation

Overview:

The Presentation is a mix of literacy, history and culture illustrating Canada ’s wonderful past and the fascinating era of the Fur Trade. It is appropriate for Grades Three through Twelve as the vocabulary, content and complexness is adjusted for the level of the audience. As this colourful time in our past is covered in depth in several grades, including four and seven, it acts as a complimentary teaching aid, reinforcing the classroom curriculum. The presentation is a full hour covering topics from literacy to traditional buffalo hunts, Red River Carts, First Nation’s tools including buffalo horn sewing needles, bone fishing hooks and many other actual artifacts to ensure the audience is both intrigued and engaged. An interactive segment sees a willing (?) audience member volunteering to be transformed into a hearty Voyageur, (let’s see your muscles, Mighty Pierre!). While dressed in costume, we endeavor to paddle down the river to the Hudson ’s Bay trading post with our beaver pelts but unfortunately, experience a myriad of problems which can only be remedied by the use of our trusty Métis sashes. Both fun and educational, it exemplifies the resourcefulness of our forefathers as they toiled to make their living in harsh conditions.

Literacy is a key element throughout the presentation with the constant reinforcement in my belief that success in the future is ensured through better literacy today.

Content:

Introduction- Introducing myself as a Métis author I explain how I became a writer and briefly review my novels, leaving the audience with ‘teasers’ to get them to pick up the books and read for themselves. I illustrate how being an author is exciting and rewarding and that the best way to prepare for their own literary careers is by reading today. Describing the story behind my novel Belle of Batoche, I liken the book to a time machine capable of whisking us all back to early Canada: 1885, Louis Riel, the North West Rebellion, cannons, Gatling guns and the Métis people…

Cultural Component- the presentation carries a high Métis cultural component as well as tie-ins to First Nations and early prairie life. Wearing a traditional sash, I explain who and what the Métis people are and their connections with Canada 's history, including the Voyageurs and the Hudson 's Bay and North West Companies. I explain what the colours and designs in the sash mean in both European and First Nations’ mythology. The association of Indian and Métis cultures is also explained. The importance of the buffalo is incorporated in the talk as I show various artifacts such as buffalo teeth, bone fishing hooks and horn sewing needles. Toys from different cultures, including Métis, First Nations, Inuit and European demonstrate how we are all different, but essentially the same. Actual pelts help explain the importance of the beaver as the foundation of the fur trade in Canada . A volunteer from the audience keeps interest levels high as we dress in costume and paddle to the trading post in our voyageur canoe, experiencing mishap after disaster that requires our intrepid explorers to fall back on their Métis sashes to save the day. A high humour factor makes for lots of laughter and learning. The pace is fast with many additional aspects including examples of fiddling music, birch bark biting and caribou tufting, ensuring continued interest. The presentation is an extremely effective teaching tool especially with visual learners and reluctant readers.

Reading component- An emphasis on the importance of reading is impressed on students. Choosing an age appropriate novel, I read a particularly exciting passage, and then leave them hanging! Access to my books through the school or public libraries makes lack of funding an easily dismissed excuse for not continuing to read the book themselves. Such diverse subjects as sibling rivalry, grizzly bear poaching, the Great Depression and even the Internet are discussed.

Conclusion- Students are encouraged to hold fast to their dreams and assured they can come true. Writing was my dream and, with hard work, it became a reality! Connections including teachers as mentors and librarians as dynamite search engines, allows students to understand that we all want them to succeed and are here to help.

Read to Succeed!

The entire presentation takes 60 minutes. The pace is fast and the interest level high. Students absorb both Canadian history and, hopefully, an appreciation for the diversity of our combined cultures.

For more information, or to arrange a talk or visit from Jacqueline, please e-mail Jacqueline at writer@jacquelineguest.com.