Welcome to Surrey's Aboriginal Learning video page

Our district cultural facilitators have missed you and your students.  They've been busy making videos that you can share with your students as we all navigate this new way of learning.  We will add videos as they become available.  Some background  knowledge will be included to help you unpack these videos with your students.  We hope you enjoy them and please feel free to share this page with other teachers in your school.   ​(These videos are shared for educational use and should only be accessed by linking to this page. Any other use is not authorized.)

Storytelling - some background knowledge

Storytelling has been and still is an important way of sharing knowledge in Indigenous communities.  Stories were also used to entertain, to share history, and to pass on knowledge.  Storytelling is a skill.  The storyteller has to be able to share the story accurately, has to be able know the intention of the story and has to be very clear that the story they are sharing is a story that can be shared.  Some stories belong to communities or families and can only be told by certain people.

The Learning Circle Resource provides this excellent background knowledge about storytelling.  This document, with lesson ideas and other stories, is available by clicking here

How to use stories in your classroom
  • Non-Aboriginal people often recorded First Nations legends as fairy tales or myths, adding convenient morals to sum up the story. However, the stories of Elders and accomplished storytellers often have no such ready explanation. The listener was expected to take time to think about the story and its meanings. Students need to be made familiar with this format, if your stories follow this method.
  • Repetition is an important element of First Nations storytelling. Stories need to be told and "felt" over and over again.
  • Storytelling is not just a creative activity for the highly accomplished. Because stories are essential to the oral tradition of First Nations, they can become an important part of the classroom. Storytelling helps children with their memory skills, reading, oral communication, writing and imagination.
  • Stories based on memories and anecdotes can be just as effective as traditional legends. Above all, it is important that as the narrator, you rehearse the story and identify its critical elements. If you practice, the story will come alive for students and ensure they pay attention and participate.

Table of Contents 

Here is a list of the all the videos made to date.  You can scroll down manually, or click on the links here to get to the video of your choice.  We have tried to organize them into categories.  

 Animal videos (oral stories and informational videos)
Book/Story Readings​ ​
Drumming/dancing Videos Cedar Videos Cultural videos
First Nation Art Videos
First Nation Plants and Medicines

The Frog Story - Mavis Dumont

The Frog Story is loosely based on a story written by Ann Cameron.  As a natural storyteller, Mavis modified this story to make it an appropriate entertaining story for primary aged students.  After watching this video, have students talk about some of the actions Mavis used as she told the story.  Could they do the actions?  Are there parts of the story that repeat and they could say along with the actions as they watch the video for a second time?     Notice the setting in which Mavis recorded the story.   Who is the character featured near her fireplace?

The Teachings of the Wolf - Mavis Dumont

In Mavis' second video she shares her very own wolf.  It's not a live wolf, but a wolf that has been preserved and she uses it in her storytelling.  In this video, viewers learn about all the teachings we humans can learn from the wolf.  Mavis has a number of stories relating to animals.  Indigenous teachings include  a strong connection to all living things.   They include  a sense of interconnectedness and a strong obligation to take care of the two legged, the four legged, the winged, the feathered, and the finned.  

After watching this video, think about one of the teachings that you connected with most.  
The Fox - Mavis Dumont's Animal Teachings
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Mavis used the word "interconnected" in this story.  Do you know what it means?   In a sense, everything is connected.  Think about the fox.  He thrives when he finds food to eat.  Mavis mentions he eats mice.  What would happen if we did something that disturbed the life cycle of mice?  What would the fox do?   What other animals might be affected if there were no mice?  You see, everything on earth is interconnected.  When you take away one thing, it affects many other things.  First Nation peoples have always had a connection to their traditional territories and the animals that live on it.  They strive to keep a balance.  Only take what you need.  

There is also an  understanding that when you take the life of an animal, you must use all of it.  You always gift an offering to the animal too and thank it for giving up its life to feed the people.  By using all the animal, you are showing respect.  

The fox was not hunted by First Nation people.  Settlers though, saw value in its fur.  Thinking has changed about the use of animal fur for fashion.  This creates complex arguments.  In some of our northern communities, Indigenous peoples hunt for as a way to support their families.  Here, , we have the option to go to stores and purchase meat if that is what we choose to eat.  Food is relatively affordable.  In northern communities the cost of food is so great that hunting is one way in which families can provide for themselves.  

Understanding point of view is an important social studies skill.  Sometimes it's difficult to understand the point of view when you don't have all the facts.  Sometimes it's not easy to understand the point of view of someone who has a view that is totally different from yours.  We strive to do so in Canada.  This is why we learn about other cultures in school.  We learn that other cultures have different traditions, beliefs and values.  The fact that we celebrate different cultures in Canada is one of the things that makes our country great.  Do you agree?
Buffalo Part 1 - Mavis Dumont
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Mavis continues her animal series.  In this video, learn the significance of the buffalo to First Nations people.  Mavis explains how the buffalo was used to feed the people and how various parts of the buffalo were used to provide clothings, shelter and tools.  Knowing how to do this, how to make things from things we find naturally is an example of Indigenous knowledge.  Your ancestors probably had similar skills too.  There was a time when there were no stores so we all had to live off of the land.  Life was challenging back then but it pushed people to think about how we can use things in new ways.  If you have a grandparent, or great grandparent, ask them about what their lives were like.  Did they have stores they could go to ?  Did they purchase all their food?  
Buffalo - Part 2 - Pointallism
There are many different styles of Indigenous art.  Each community has their own style of art.  The materials used to create their art would vary too.  Prior to contact, the materials would have come from the land.  The images featured in art often reflected the things in nature that the community valued.  Some images are crests.  Not all First Nation communities have crests though.  

Mavis is introducing pointillism.  The Metis are famous for this style of art.  If you want to know more about this style of art, visit Christi Belcourt's webpage.  
Raccoon: Facts About Raccoons by Mavis Dumont
In this video, Mavis shares her knowledge about raccoons.  She shares some important information about safety so be sure to listen carefully.  How do you think Mavis knows so much about animals?   ​

Chipmunk and the Three Owl Sisters - Okanogan (Colville) Story

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Listen to Mavis tell a delightful story about Chipmunk and the Three Owl Sisters.   If you have watched most of Mavis's videos, you will notice that she loves to tell stories.  As you watch this video, think of some of the things she does to make this story more interesting for her listeners.   How does she use expression, body language and other things to draw her listeners into the story.   

One thing before you watch.  Some Indigenous stories use humour and like the fairytales we read, sometimes things that happen in the story seem a little shocking.  Remember what happens to the wolf in the story of the Three Little Pigs?  He goes down the chimney and lands in a pot of boiling water.  When we stop and think about this, it is kind of a scary ending  from the perspective of the wolf BUT it is a story.   So remember this when you watch these videos and enjoy.  

Some questions from the guide to explore after reading:
What does Grandmother tell chipmunk to do while out picking berries?  Why does she tell chipmunk to get home before dark and not to eat any berries until she thanks the creator?  Does  Chipmunk listen to Grandmother?  What happens to Chipmunk because she does not do what Grandmother asks?  What saves Chipmunk?

What lessons can we learn from this story?  How can you use these teachings in your life?


​Chipmunk - Part 1
Chipmunk - Part 2
Honour Song - Chandra Antone
What is an honour song?  Listen to Chandra describe the importance of honour songs.  Did you know that when an honour song is being sung, you should stand and remove your hat?  This is a sign of respect.  It is an important protocol.  Can. you think of another time when we stand and remove our hats when a song is sung?   
Learning About Animal Hides - Chandra Antone
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In this video, Chandra explains the different materials used to make drums and rattles.  These are her teachings that she is generously sharing with us.  Do you think different hides produce different sounds?  What wonderings do you have about making drums?  I want to know what hide is used to make the big pow wow drums and how did First Nation people learn how to make drums. 
Working with Cedar - Chandra Antone
When you watch Chandra's video relating to cedar, think about where she got her teachings about cedar.  Was it something she learned in school?   Chandra demonstrates that teaching happens outside of school too.  Is there someone in your family who teaches you things?  

More About Cedar - Paddles, Preparing Cedar by Chandra Antone

In this video, Chandra continues her discussion about cedar.  She shares some of the preparation needed to make a cedar headband.  She also shares a song but instead of using a drum, she uses something different.  What does she use?  Did you know that the protocols for drumming may be different in each community?  In some. First Nation communities, women do not drum while in others, women do drum.  Why do you think it is different?  The protocols around the drum are important teachings.  Never, ever touch someone's drum without permission.  Watch for an upcoming video related to drumming protocols.  
Coast Salish Paddle Songs sung by Chandra Antone
Chandra shares some of her beautiful regalia and paddles that she uses in her cultural presentations.  She also introduces us to three Coast Salish paddle songs.   Canoes were an important means of transportation for First Nation peoples.  Chandra explains how canoes and paddles were made from the cedar trees.  These canoes helped the First Nation Peoples travel up and down the Fraser River to neighbouring communities.  They also had ocean going canoes too.  In preparation for landing a canoe onto neighbouring communities territory, protocols were followed to let the community know their intentions.  Part of the protocols often included songs.  Listen as Chandra shares some of those songs.  

Jingle Dress Story and Song by Chandra Antone
In this video, Chandra and her lovely granddaughter teach us about the jingle dress.  Chandra reads a delightful story about a young girl who thinks her feet don't work well enough to be a Jingle dancer.  When you watch this video, see if you can identify the parts of a jingle dancer's regalia.  Do you remember what the word regalia means?
Chandra Antone - Introduction to Beading
In this video, Chandra introduces the materials needed to make a beaded key chain.  What materials are required?   Look at all the beads that Chandra has.  Do you notice that some come in packages and some come on strands.  Do you notice that she talks about different sizes of beads?  Why does size matter?  

This is only the first video.  Stay tuned for more videos related to beading.  
Mrs. Anderson - Teachings of the Big House
Big In these two videos, Mrs. Anderson shares some of her personal photos of the bighouse in her community.  This is such a privilege for us to see these photos.  Visiting a bighouse is by invitation only.  It is a special and sacred space.  She shares photos of family and community members.  These connections are important to her.  Her knowledge comes from her community.  It has been shared with her and we are fortunate that she is sharing this with us.  Mrs. Anderson shares lots of her language with us.  Did you try and say some of the words she said?  Do you remember the word for bighouse?  In Indigenous cultures, language is so very important.  Our languages hold our culture, our history and our knowledge.  Do you speak another language?  Is there a special sacred place that you visit that relates to your culture?

Mrs. Anderson says at the beginning of her videos that she does not want people to copy or record her videos.  Why do you think this is so important to her.

Big House - part 1
Bighouse - Part 2
Sacred Masks by Mrs. Anderson
Mrs. Anderson shares her teachings about the sacred masks from her community.   This is such a treasure for us to be able to view.  Notice that Mrs. Anderson uses her language to name the masks?   In the title of her video, we learn the location of her home community.  Locate it on a BC map.   What is the name of her community?
Killer Whale Story by Mrs. Anderson
Before we can hear the story, Mrs. Anderson takes some time to share with us the importance of story.  Why were stories told?  Why was it important for young people to listen to the stories?  How come some of these stories weren't written down?   Understanding that some stories are not to be shared is an important teaching.  Mrs. Anderson explains that it is unusual to record stories like she has done here because stories were meant to be shared in person.  She accepts these are new times but she wants students and teachers to remember that stories should not be recorded.

Listen to the song that Mrs. Anderson uses at the beginning of this video.  Notice that it is not a drum?  What do you think she might be using to perform this song?

​The Story Begins ....
At the end of the first part of the story, we learn that Baby Killer Whale is all alone.  He is hungry and he is tired.  Did you notice a strange sound at the end of the video?  What do you think that sound was?   Do you think it was a good sound or a sound that might mean danger for Baby Killer Whale?  Listen to the final part of Mrs. Anderson's story.
The Dance of the Seven Sisters - An Iroquoian Story narrated by Richard Pierre
Listen to Richard Pierre narrate this story.  Teachers, you can see an electronic copy of this story here:  https://www.deseret.com/1993/1/21/19027951/the-dance-of-the-7-sisters-an-iroquoian-legend

Notice that i have changed the word from legend to story.  Many of our texts use words that are no long culturally appropriate.  Older resources tend to use the word legend or tale when describing our stories.  It is more accurate to use story and understand that there are many kinds of stories.  There are stories that entertain, stories that share traditional knowledge and stories that are sacred.  So when sharing this story with your students be sure to share this.  It is important for students to understand how things are changing in Canada to reflect a deeper understanding and respect of Indigenous peoples, their culture, their history and their languages. 

In this story, there is mention of a longhouse.  Knowing this is a story from the Iroquoian story, do you think they have the same kind of long houses that we see on the west coast of Canada?  Do some research and see if you can find photos of both kinds of longhouses.

This is one of many stories that relate to the stars.  Indigenous peoples used the stars to navigate.  Do you think people still use the stars to navigate today?   

Links:
Why the North Star Stands Still, a Paiute story - narrated by Richard Pierre
Notice that i have changed the word from legend to story.  Many of our texts use words that are no long culturally appropriate.  Older resources tend to use the word legend or tale when describing our stories.  It is more accurate to use story and understand that there are many kinds of stories.  There are stories that entertain, stories that share traditional knowledge and stories that are sacred.  So when sharing this story with your students be sure to share this.  It is important for students to understand how things are changing in Canada to reflect a deeper understanding and respect of Indigenous peoples, their culture, their history and their languages. 

In this story, we learn why it appears like the north star stands still.  For a text version of this story, visit https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/WhytheNorthStarStandsStill-Paiute.html

Can you locate the north star on a clear night?   Visit this site to locate the north star using the big dipper.  https://earthsky.org/?p=3588

There are so many resources online related to star stories.  Remember though, Indigenous communities vary greatly in terms of protocols, traditions, histories and languages.  Watch this video to hear an Cree perspective of the stars., from Wilfred Buck.  They believe their people came from the stars.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkXlHM2zFTg.     Do you think all Indigenous peoples have that belief?  Locate some of the creation stories from your local First Nation community.
The Sun, the Moon and the Stars - Richard Pierre
Many of you are familiar with the story, How Raven Steals the Sun.  In this video, Richard tells us why the sun is so very important.  It is important to all people but there are also cultural connections to the sun, the moon and the stars.  Hear what Richard has to say.

What do you see when you look up at the night sky?  Do you have a favourite constellation?
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Coast Salish Weaving by Candace Crockford
When our presenters visit your school to do presentations , the wool is often prepared.  It is been harvested, cleaned, dyed, and spun.   How does that process happen?  Watch Candace show you the process.

Please watch a variety of movies Mavis Dumont has made relating to plants and Medicines

Blackberries

Bullrushes
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Cedar

​Ferns

​Hazelnuts

Huckleberries

​Salmonberries


Skunk Cabbage

Thimbleberry

Surrey School District, Surrey, BC
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