Grade 4/5 students in Mme Fenelon's Class at École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys participated in a unique beading project that allowed them to gain insight into Métis culture and traditions through hands-on learning and storytelling. Chantel Skead and Jackie Tew were invited into the class to share traditional stories and teach the students the craft of Métis Beading.
Mme Fenelon talks about the numeracy skills the students gained through the experiential learning. "As the students talked around the table and worked on their beading projects they used numeracy skills such as estimation, skip counting, multiplication, measurement and problem-solving. They assessed their work and fixed their errors along the way."
Jackie spoke about another benefit of beading. "Focusing on beading is a connection with well-being and relaxation. Beading allows for the mind to escape issues or stress and focus on something that soothes the mind and body."
From Chantel and Jackie's presentation, the students learned that traditional beading patterns were almost always floral or inspired by the colours or elements in nature. The woman would gather as a form of socialization and community and craft and bead, creating gifts of clothing or medicine bags that would be given to their family members. The skills were passed down through generations. The beading was made out of love to provide protection and strength to the person who would receive the gift which was usually a family member.
Once the fur trade began, the beading and leather goods became a form of currency for Métis people.
During the beading sessions, it was noted that the students were able to relax and engage in conversation, sharing personal stories and building relationships - just as the Métis people would have done in previous generations.
A very special thank you to Chantel Skead and Jackie Tew for sharing their gifts and knowledge of traditional Métis culture with the class.
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Traditional Beadwork samples were brought and shared with the class along with an explanation of how the artwork was developed. Here a patch was shown that had been sown onto the moccasin.
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This jacket had numerous examples of Métis artwork. Students could see the traditional use of the beading. They discussed the beauty of the piece, the functionality of the jacket, and the value the artwork added to the garment.
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The students had a chance to design their own four by four inch grid. Students used estimation, measurement, and perseverance to create their beadwork. Time management was also something they began to develop as they realised that sewing one or two beads at a time was less effective than sewing multiple beads.
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Here are some examples of the finished student artwork
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