Coyote has been resting after his party at the library last month. Barb McCrie has invited us to return to St. Pat's with Coyote and friends next Thursday afternoon to entertain, educate and inspire 122 children in their library in two seatings.
Go! Coyote! Go!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Coyote plays at the Library February 21, 2009
Coyote Shadow Puppet Plays and Stories Feb. 21, 2009 2-3p.m.
At 1:45 the library was ready to host a Coyote shadow puppet show with storytelling, a game and crafts. The puppet stage, projector, scripts and characters were lined up and ready for performance. Three craft tables had been set up by Courtney, Jacie, Ariel and Margaret with in-house made stamps to match the characters in the plays and stories. Pre-cut craft paper, pre-cut beading string in many colors, baskets of feathers, colored wooden beads, glue, scissors and hole punches were evenly distributed over the tables. All the necessities to create individual wall hangings were in place. A round table close by displayed copies of Earl color your own story books in three parts that were available to color immediately and/or to take home. The books were produced in-house, all stories written by Margaret, book 1 illustrated by Hilary and books 2&3 illustrated by Carol. A photo booth with Charley the mascot was ready for photos to be taken home.
As 2:00 approached families arrived, signed in and were greeted by Carol Low from the Swift Current Friendship Center and Margaret. A total of 25 children and 20 adults enjoyed 3 puppet shows, a game and a story followed by a very active craft session and social time.
Margaret introduced the program and characters to the audience. Then Margaret and Manisha presented the first play, Coyote and Mouse, a short delightful tale in which Mouse gets the upper hand on Coyote and tricks him. Encouraged to join in with Mouse the audience enthusiastically called out Yellow Behind the Ears to Coyote’s great agitation. A game followed which promoted a character from a junior fiction library book called Black Nell. Margaret asked the children to find Nell hiding among the bookshelves in the children’s area and to return to the carpet as soon as they each find one. 28 laminations of the Nell image with the book title and author printed on the reverse side had been hidden in the 15 minutes prior to starting the program. Those who found more than one were quite willing to share with friends who had not found any. This activity provided 5 minutes open time to set up scripts and acetates for the next play, And Me, Coyote.
Margaret and Manisha presented And Me, Coyote after a short introduction by Margaret to the Aboriginal culture’s Creator whose name is World Maker. This creation legend was well received by a very attentive audience of adults and children. They enjoyed the talking animals as well as Manisha’s singing in her role as World Maker.
A short East Indian Mouse Tale was introduced by Margaret and told by Manisha. The circle of children were invited to share their own story and some adult members of the audience did. One father shared his love of the popular Harry Potter stories and in particular the character Bilbo.
In the final play, And Me, Coyote part 2, presented by Margaret and Manisha the audience finds out what Coyote does after his big sleep in the sun. After his animal friends create a lop-sided poorly made human figure, Coyote assists World Maker in creating human beings. (The plays were written from old legends by Margaret and illustrated by Hilary and Kyle.)
The audience was then introduced to Carol Low from the Friendship Center who had graciously baked two cake tins of bannock to share. The children were also quite interested in seeing ‘behind the screen’ and enjoyed moving the acetate images around on the projector to see the effects.
The craft activity which followed was a bee-hive of activity for the remainder of the program as Courtney, Jacie and Ariel assisted in the tying of strings and beading. Many children also worked with the Earl color your own story books. Adults clustered around the round table for an informal social time as jerky and blueberries were passed around.
The photo booth generated mixed reactions as some children were hesitant to pose with Charley, Carol’s coyote. Kyle and Hilary managed to capture a lot of pics of willing participants. Using the display window as a booth provided a unique thrilling moment.
Parfleche envelopes, originally made of rawhide and used to carry jerky on the buffalo hunt, were given to children as they were leaving. They were made by Margaret and colored and beaded by Jennifer in the weeks leading up to the program.
The participants were fully engaged for 1 ½ hours as the crafting and social time extended well beyond the 3:00 time frame. The co-operation between all library staff members made this a successful program. Much appreciation is extended to all involved either directly or indirectly.
Weaver’s Report
Margaret Lottridge
At 1:45 the library was ready to host a Coyote shadow puppet show with storytelling, a game and crafts. The puppet stage, projector, scripts and characters were lined up and ready for performance. Three craft tables had been set up by Courtney, Jacie, Ariel and Margaret with in-house made stamps to match the characters in the plays and stories. Pre-cut craft paper, pre-cut beading string in many colors, baskets of feathers, colored wooden beads, glue, scissors and hole punches were evenly distributed over the tables. All the necessities to create individual wall hangings were in place. A round table close by displayed copies of Earl color your own story books in three parts that were available to color immediately and/or to take home. The books were produced in-house, all stories written by Margaret, book 1 illustrated by Hilary and books 2&3 illustrated by Carol. A photo booth with Charley the mascot was ready for photos to be taken home.
As 2:00 approached families arrived, signed in and were greeted by Carol Low from the Swift Current Friendship Center and Margaret. A total of 25 children and 20 adults enjoyed 3 puppet shows, a game and a story followed by a very active craft session and social time.
Margaret introduced the program and characters to the audience. Then Margaret and Manisha presented the first play, Coyote and Mouse, a short delightful tale in which Mouse gets the upper hand on Coyote and tricks him. Encouraged to join in with Mouse the audience enthusiastically called out Yellow Behind the Ears to Coyote’s great agitation. A game followed which promoted a character from a junior fiction library book called Black Nell. Margaret asked the children to find Nell hiding among the bookshelves in the children’s area and to return to the carpet as soon as they each find one. 28 laminations of the Nell image with the book title and author printed on the reverse side had been hidden in the 15 minutes prior to starting the program. Those who found more than one were quite willing to share with friends who had not found any. This activity provided 5 minutes open time to set up scripts and acetates for the next play, And Me, Coyote.
Margaret and Manisha presented And Me, Coyote after a short introduction by Margaret to the Aboriginal culture’s Creator whose name is World Maker. This creation legend was well received by a very attentive audience of adults and children. They enjoyed the talking animals as well as Manisha’s singing in her role as World Maker.
A short East Indian Mouse Tale was introduced by Margaret and told by Manisha. The circle of children were invited to share their own story and some adult members of the audience did. One father shared his love of the popular Harry Potter stories and in particular the character Bilbo.
In the final play, And Me, Coyote part 2, presented by Margaret and Manisha the audience finds out what Coyote does after his big sleep in the sun. After his animal friends create a lop-sided poorly made human figure, Coyote assists World Maker in creating human beings. (The plays were written from old legends by Margaret and illustrated by Hilary and Kyle.)
The audience was then introduced to Carol Low from the Friendship Center who had graciously baked two cake tins of bannock to share. The children were also quite interested in seeing ‘behind the screen’ and enjoyed moving the acetate images around on the projector to see the effects.
The craft activity which followed was a bee-hive of activity for the remainder of the program as Courtney, Jacie and Ariel assisted in the tying of strings and beading. Many children also worked with the Earl color your own story books. Adults clustered around the round table for an informal social time as jerky and blueberries were passed around.
The photo booth generated mixed reactions as some children were hesitant to pose with Charley, Carol’s coyote. Kyle and Hilary managed to capture a lot of pics of willing participants. Using the display window as a booth provided a unique thrilling moment.
Parfleche envelopes, originally made of rawhide and used to carry jerky on the buffalo hunt, were given to children as they were leaving. They were made by Margaret and colored and beaded by Jennifer in the weeks leading up to the program.
The participants were fully engaged for 1 ½ hours as the crafting and social time extended well beyond the 3:00 time frame. The co-operation between all library staff members made this a successful program. Much appreciation is extended to all involved either directly or indirectly.
Weaver’s Report
Margaret Lottridge
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Coyote Goes to School
School Visit by Chinook Library Staff for Coyote Shadow Puppet Plays and Stories
Carrying the shadow puppet theatre through the halls at St. Patrick's Elementary School, I could hear recess ending as children streamed into the halls . Up a set of stairs and at the end of a hall way I located the library and Manisha and Mrs. Barb McCrie. Our set up included some adjustments as we tried a second projector and stacked books under the thetre for better visuals. Forty-seven children and six adults attended our inaugural Coyote Shadow Puppet Show and Storytelling for schools and libraries on Feb. 3. During the set up the students were intrigued by the acetate visuals created by library staff to complement the stories. Some of them described the artwork as "Cool!"
Manisha Khetarpul began with an introduction that introduced grade two class of 47 students to an aboriginal culture hero named Coyote. As Manisha introduced the program she engaged her audience fully with a question and answer dialogue about shadow puppets, Coyote and the library. The children said they had heard one story previously about Coyote as myth and legend. The story of Coyote goes back to days when animals, plants and rocks talked with humans; when stories were told and language was not written down. Coyote is wise, foolish, creative, helpful and trickster. The stories told demonstrate some aspects of his personality.
In Coyote and Mouse (Yellow Behind the Ears) a shadow play by Manisha and Margaret (script retold by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary) Little Mouse plays a trick on Coyote and the tables are turned on the ‘master trickster’. The children were encouraged to join in with mouse in calling Coyote Yellow Behind the Ears and took great delight in doing so.
As Manisha introduced the next play Margaret set up the acetates in order of appearance in the script. In the setup I confused my order of plays so there was a little scramble to make things right for the next play.
In Coyote and Rock a shadow play by Manisha and Margaret (script retold by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary and Kyle) Coyote and Rock have a disagreement and Rock becomes very angry at Coyote. Rock chases Coyote through water, past trees and buffalo. The spinning rock on the overhead projector added the element of motion to the chase scene. Who is going to stop Rock and help Coyote? As rock explodes I could hear many children breathe in quickly saying, "Oooo! That would hurt!" The visuals were very effective.
This play was followed by a story read by Manisha as I (Margaret) placed laminated scenes from the story on a magnetic board for the students to follow along.
How the First Rainbow was Made was read by Manisha, laminations by Margaret (story from Ruth Robbins reference book). On Mt. Shasta the animals go for help to Coyote because he is wise and will know how to stop the rain. Coyote creates a plan that involves all their co-operation. Manisha's reading was animated, well phrased, well paced and engaged the students in the action of the story when the entire audience was huffing and puffing to blow the spider brothers up to the clouds. Moving along to the final play I set up the acetates and Manisha introduced the title and theme.
In Coyote Brings Fire a shadow play by Manisha and Margaret (script retold by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary) the story opens in winter and human beings are suffering from the cold. The animals go to Coyote for a plan to bring fire to humans. The plan works with some minor cost to the animals. The words 'eating frog's tail soup' created many grimaces and then the lunch dismissal bell rang. The students wanted to hear the outcome and were quite willing to stay another two minutes in order to hear the ending.
After a round of applause and bows from the performers Mrs. Barb McCrie presented Manisha with a thank you card from each class and a gift bag for Margaret containing a tea mug and a writing pen from St. Pat's Elementary Scool. Both items will be put to good use. Manisha presented the Aboriginal Storytelling Week posters to the staff and students inviting them and their families to attend the events. Margaret presented a Coyote craft item to Mrs. McCrie and the students who felt the feather to test it's "realness'. She also presented Earl Meets Coyote on the Farm color your own story book written by Margaret and illustrated by Hilary. Coyote helps Earl to appreciate his Grandpa Will and Grandma Bea when Earl meets Coyote in the winter hills behind their farm. They were welcomed to make copies if they felt inclined to do so. Sequels 2 and 3 will be available at the Feb. 21 storytelling event at the library.
Packing up quickly we were on our way back to Swift current Library by 12:15 and happy with ourselves about our first school puppet show as a team. We learned that it may be wiser to take our own projector next time as we know how the images will appear with ours. When I get flustered by small details I will stay focused on the next step in the process of presenting. It was great to feel the audience appreciation and we had a good time.
Weaver's Report
Margaret Lottridge
Carrying the shadow puppet theatre through the halls at St. Patrick's Elementary School, I could hear recess ending as children streamed into the halls . Up a set of stairs and at the end of a hall way I located the library and Manisha and Mrs. Barb McCrie. Our set up included some adjustments as we tried a second projector and stacked books under the thetre for better visuals. Forty-seven children and six adults attended our inaugural Coyote Shadow Puppet Show and Storytelling for schools and libraries on Feb. 3. During the set up the students were intrigued by the acetate visuals created by library staff to complement the stories. Some of them described the artwork as "Cool!"
Manisha Khetarpul began with an introduction that introduced grade two class of 47 students to an aboriginal culture hero named Coyote. As Manisha introduced the program she engaged her audience fully with a question and answer dialogue about shadow puppets, Coyote and the library. The children said they had heard one story previously about Coyote as myth and legend. The story of Coyote goes back to days when animals, plants and rocks talked with humans; when stories were told and language was not written down. Coyote is wise, foolish, creative, helpful and trickster. The stories told demonstrate some aspects of his personality.
In Coyote and Mouse (Yellow Behind the Ears) a shadow play by Manisha and Margaret (script retold by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary) Little Mouse plays a trick on Coyote and the tables are turned on the ‘master trickster’. The children were encouraged to join in with mouse in calling Coyote Yellow Behind the Ears and took great delight in doing so.
As Manisha introduced the next play Margaret set up the acetates in order of appearance in the script. In the setup I confused my order of plays so there was a little scramble to make things right for the next play.
In Coyote and Rock a shadow play by Manisha and Margaret (script retold by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary and Kyle) Coyote and Rock have a disagreement and Rock becomes very angry at Coyote. Rock chases Coyote through water, past trees and buffalo. The spinning rock on the overhead projector added the element of motion to the chase scene. Who is going to stop Rock and help Coyote? As rock explodes I could hear many children breathe in quickly saying, "Oooo! That would hurt!" The visuals were very effective.
This play was followed by a story read by Manisha as I (Margaret) placed laminated scenes from the story on a magnetic board for the students to follow along.
How the First Rainbow was Made was read by Manisha, laminations by Margaret (story from Ruth Robbins reference book). On Mt. Shasta the animals go for help to Coyote because he is wise and will know how to stop the rain. Coyote creates a plan that involves all their co-operation. Manisha's reading was animated, well phrased, well paced and engaged the students in the action of the story when the entire audience was huffing and puffing to blow the spider brothers up to the clouds. Moving along to the final play I set up the acetates and Manisha introduced the title and theme.
In Coyote Brings Fire a shadow play by Manisha and Margaret (script retold by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary) the story opens in winter and human beings are suffering from the cold. The animals go to Coyote for a plan to bring fire to humans. The plan works with some minor cost to the animals. The words 'eating frog's tail soup' created many grimaces and then the lunch dismissal bell rang. The students wanted to hear the outcome and were quite willing to stay another two minutes in order to hear the ending.
After a round of applause and bows from the performers Mrs. Barb McCrie presented Manisha with a thank you card from each class and a gift bag for Margaret containing a tea mug and a writing pen from St. Pat's Elementary Scool. Both items will be put to good use. Manisha presented the Aboriginal Storytelling Week posters to the staff and students inviting them and their families to attend the events. Margaret presented a Coyote craft item to Mrs. McCrie and the students who felt the feather to test it's "realness'. She also presented Earl Meets Coyote on the Farm color your own story book written by Margaret and illustrated by Hilary. Coyote helps Earl to appreciate his Grandpa Will and Grandma Bea when Earl meets Coyote in the winter hills behind their farm. They were welcomed to make copies if they felt inclined to do so. Sequels 2 and 3 will be available at the Feb. 21 storytelling event at the library.
Packing up quickly we were on our way back to Swift current Library by 12:15 and happy with ourselves about our first school puppet show as a team. We learned that it may be wiser to take our own projector next time as we know how the images will appear with ours. When I get flustered by small details I will stay focused on the next step in the process of presenting. It was great to feel the audience appreciation and we had a good time.
Weaver's Report
Margaret Lottridge
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Outline of School Visit by Chinook Library Staff for Coyote Shadow Puppet Plays and Stories
1. Introduction by Manisha Khetarpul, head librarian.
2. Coyote and Mouse (Yellow Behind the Ears) – shadow play by Manisha and Margaret.
-script retold by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary.
Little Mouse plays a trick on Coyote and the tables are turned on the ‘master trickster’.
3. Coyote and Rock – shadow play by Manisha and Margaret.
– script retold by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary
Rock chases Coyote through water, past trees and buffalo. Who is going to stop Rock and help Coyote?
4. How the First Rainbow was Made – story with magnetic board by Manisha.
- story from Ruth Robbins reference book.
On Mt. Shasta the animals go for help to Coyote because he is wise and will know how to stop the rain. Coyote creates a plan that involves all their co-operation.
5. Coyote Brings Fire - shadow play by Manisha and Margaret.
–script retold by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary.
It is winter and human beings are suffering from the cold. The animals go to Coyote for a plan to bring fire to humans. The plan works with some minor cost to the animals.
6. Earl Meets Coyote on the Farm – color your own story by Margaret.
– story by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary.
Coyote helps Earl to appreciate his Grandpa Will and Grandma Bea when Earl meets Coyote in the winter hills behind their farm.
7. Library handouts for students and staff.
1. Introduction by Manisha Khetarpul, head librarian.
2. Coyote and Mouse (Yellow Behind the Ears) – shadow play by Manisha and Margaret.
-script retold by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary.
Little Mouse plays a trick on Coyote and the tables are turned on the ‘master trickster’.
3. Coyote and Rock – shadow play by Manisha and Margaret.
– script retold by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary
Rock chases Coyote through water, past trees and buffalo. Who is going to stop Rock and help Coyote?
4. How the First Rainbow was Made – story with magnetic board by Manisha.
- story from Ruth Robbins reference book.
On Mt. Shasta the animals go for help to Coyote because he is wise and will know how to stop the rain. Coyote creates a plan that involves all their co-operation.
5. Coyote Brings Fire - shadow play by Manisha and Margaret.
–script retold by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary.
It is winter and human beings are suffering from the cold. The animals go to Coyote for a plan to bring fire to humans. The plan works with some minor cost to the animals.
6. Earl Meets Coyote on the Farm – color your own story by Margaret.
– story by Margaret, illustrations by Hilary.
Coyote helps Earl to appreciate his Grandpa Will and Grandma Bea when Earl meets Coyote in the winter hills behind their farm.
7. Library handouts for students and staff.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
More Reference Books at the Library
More Reference Books Available at the Library
Campbell, Nicola I. Shi-shi-etko. Groundwood, 2005.
This is a child’s story of leaving home to go away to school and the cherished memories she packs in her suitcase for the journey.
Cuthand, Doug. Askiwina A Cree World. Coteau Books, 2007.
An adult book written by Saskatoon journalist and writer filling in omitted history pockets by profiling First Nations people who have contributed to the growth and development of Canada ‘over the years’. Askiwina is a Cree word that alludes to the passage of time.
Friesen, John W. And Friesen, Virginia Lyons. Western Canadian Native Destiny. Detselig Enterprises Ltd. 2008.
An essential book to read for anyone wishing to understand the complex challenges faced by First Nations peoples in this century. It highlights key points with diverse references that help us come to a better awareness of the need for a resolution to a very old matter.
Glenbow Museum. Honouring Tradition: Reframing Native Art. Glenbow Museum, Calgary Alberta, 2008.
The collaboration of Aboriginal elders, leaders, artists with non-native museum staff has created a book that illustrates as well as tells us in many ways what the art exhibit at Glenbow is all about. The pieces range from the 1890’s to 2006 and are enhanced by the two levels of description. The work honours tradition as the title suggests.
Goble, Paul. Mystic Horse. Harper Collins, 2003.
Another wonderful Plains Indian story that celebrates the connection between man and nature. A great book for anyone who loves horses and the mysterious.
Goble, Paul. Paul Goble Gallery Three Native American Stories. Simon and Schuster, 1999.
Three stories are bound together by the common theme of the seeker who leaves home to return later with something of value for their community and in the process are transformed by their experiences in the natural world.
Goble, Paul. Adopted by the Eagles. Bradbury Press, Macmillan Publishing Co., 1994.
This is a story of two friends, kola friendship in Lakota circles, and the difficulties one man faces after his friend abandons him. It is also a story of the birds who comes to his assistance and save his life.
Goble, Paul. Iktomi and the Ducks. Orchard Books, New York. 1990.
Like other Iktomi storybooks this one uses three print type styles to let the reader find more humour in the actions of the characters and their hidden thoughts! It is another great trickster story involving two tricksters together as Coyote appears in the final pages to outsmart Iktomi.
Kalman, Bobbie. Native North American Foods and Recipes. Crabtree Publishing Company, 2006.
No cultural journey is complete without a look and taste of the foods of the people. A junior level book it is full of pictures, background info and recipes without being overwhelming – a great overview of a very broad topic.
Campbell, Nicola I. Shi-shi-etko. Groundwood, 2005.
This is a child’s story of leaving home to go away to school and the cherished memories she packs in her suitcase for the journey.
Cuthand, Doug. Askiwina A Cree World. Coteau Books, 2007.
An adult book written by Saskatoon journalist and writer filling in omitted history pockets by profiling First Nations people who have contributed to the growth and development of Canada ‘over the years’. Askiwina is a Cree word that alludes to the passage of time.
Friesen, John W. And Friesen, Virginia Lyons. Western Canadian Native Destiny. Detselig Enterprises Ltd. 2008.
An essential book to read for anyone wishing to understand the complex challenges faced by First Nations peoples in this century. It highlights key points with diverse references that help us come to a better awareness of the need for a resolution to a very old matter.
Glenbow Museum. Honouring Tradition: Reframing Native Art. Glenbow Museum, Calgary Alberta, 2008.
The collaboration of Aboriginal elders, leaders, artists with non-native museum staff has created a book that illustrates as well as tells us in many ways what the art exhibit at Glenbow is all about. The pieces range from the 1890’s to 2006 and are enhanced by the two levels of description. The work honours tradition as the title suggests.
Goble, Paul. Mystic Horse. Harper Collins, 2003.
Another wonderful Plains Indian story that celebrates the connection between man and nature. A great book for anyone who loves horses and the mysterious.
Goble, Paul. Paul Goble Gallery Three Native American Stories. Simon and Schuster, 1999.
Three stories are bound together by the common theme of the seeker who leaves home to return later with something of value for their community and in the process are transformed by their experiences in the natural world.
Goble, Paul. Adopted by the Eagles. Bradbury Press, Macmillan Publishing Co., 1994.
This is a story of two friends, kola friendship in Lakota circles, and the difficulties one man faces after his friend abandons him. It is also a story of the birds who comes to his assistance and save his life.
Goble, Paul. Iktomi and the Ducks. Orchard Books, New York. 1990.
Like other Iktomi storybooks this one uses three print type styles to let the reader find more humour in the actions of the characters and their hidden thoughts! It is another great trickster story involving two tricksters together as Coyote appears in the final pages to outsmart Iktomi.
Kalman, Bobbie. Native North American Foods and Recipes. Crabtree Publishing Company, 2006.
No cultural journey is complete without a look and taste of the foods of the people. A junior level book it is full of pictures, background info and recipes without being overwhelming – a great overview of a very broad topic.
A Video Series To Watch
The CBC has produced a series on Canada - A People's History. The first two contain some excellent re-enactments by First Nations actors of the earliest inhabitants of this continent.
There are also some great 'story-telling' scenes as they share their nations' creation stories.
They are available at your local library in the video area coded:
971 Can v.1
971 Can v.2
There are also some great 'story-telling' scenes as they share their nations' creation stories.
They are available at your local library in the video area coded:
971 Can v.1
971 Can v.2
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
links to sites
The following links provide sites with more information:
the endangered stones of Moose Mountain Medicine Wheel
http://www.virtualsk.com/current_issue/endangered_stones.html
the rock carvings (petroglyphs) at St. Victor, Sask.
http://www.virtualsk.com/current_issue/st_victor_petroglyphs.html
on the importance of number four
http://www.marquette.edu/library/neh/general/index.htm
an abundance of coyote stories
www.indigenouspeople.net/coyote.htm
the endangered stones of Moose Mountain Medicine Wheel
http://www.virtualsk.com/current_issue/endangered_stones.html
the rock carvings (petroglyphs) at St. Victor, Sask.
http://www.virtualsk.com/current_issue/st_victor_petroglyphs.html
on the importance of number four
http://www.marquette.edu/library/neh/general/index.htm
an abundance of coyote stories
www.indigenouspeople.net/coyote.htm
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