Métis Learning Comes to Life at École J.B. Mitchell School

Throughout the school year, students in Grades 3 to 6 at École J.B. Mitchell School were immersed in a hands-on Métis learning experience that has brought history, culture, and identity into the classroom in meaningful ways. Through a long-term collaboration with WSD’s Indigenous Way of Life Teacher Teresa Byrne, students explored Métis teachings in engaging learning spaces that encouraged curiosity, creativity, and personal reflection.

Together, they explored Red River Métis traditions, storytelling, and history while making connections to their own identities and to Manitoba’s past.

Learning About Identity Through History

A key focus of the learning was Red River Métis history and its lasting influence on Manitoba and Canada today. Students learned about Métis leader Louis Riel and his provisional government, exploring how language rights, religious freedoms, and governance helped shape Manitoba laws today. As Byrne explained, “Students were especially surprised by how the provisional government wrote rights around language and religion that acted as a foundation for The Manitoba Act.”

They also studied traditional Métis transportation, including Red River carts, York boats, and birchbark canoes, reflecting on how these methods compare to travel today.

This learning encouraged students to think critically about how history is told and how it continues to shape Manitoban society.

Cultural Learning Through Hands-On Activities

Beyond history lessons, students engaged in a variety of hands-on experiences that brought Métis culture to life, including jigging, spoon playing, sash creation, dot art, traditional medicine learning, and the creation of octopus bags.

These activities allowed students to connect cultural teachings to their own identities.

Inspired by the style of Métis artist Christi Belcourt, students were tasked with creating personal versions of dot art. Grade 5 student Jenny created a piece in which each flower represented a member of her family, carefully chosen through colour and design.

Another student, Jamie, said designing his Métis sash was a favourite activity. He selected colours that reflected both his personal style and his family’s roots in the Philippines.

One of the most challenging projects was the creation of an octopus bag, originally known as fire bags, which were traditionally used to carry tools and supplies. Decorated with floral beadwork, they are a recognized symbol of Red River Métis culture, representing balance, nature, and interconnectedness.

The full process, from sewing to decorating the octopus bag, was a learning experience. Each flower and detail reflected important relationships. Grade 4 student Kathryn shared that her design represented her whole family. “The different flowers represent my dad, my mom, my twin brother, my big brother, my grandparent, my friend Freya, and my pet.”

Students also explored traditional Métis medicines through clay bead making, representing plants such as sage, strawberries, blueberries, and the prairie crocus. Grade 5/6 teacher Sarah Barton explained, “The strawberry represents the heart, blueberries were used for teas when people were sick, and sage represents healing and gratitude. These teachings come with responsibility and respect.”

Through this work, students learned that traditional knowledge is both cultural and practical, grounded in care for the land, health, and community.

Learning That Extends Beyond the Classroom

For Byrne, these experiences highlight the connection between family, community, and land that lies at the heart of Métis teachings.  The goal of the sessions was also to build knowledge capacity among teachers so the teachings can continue throughout the school with added resources and guidance to extend the learning.

The impact of the project extended to the whole school as students shared their learnings during a school-wide assembly. By teaching others about Métis history and culture through their own perspectives, they became storytellers and knowledge keepers all at once.

Overall, École J.B. Mitchell School students were left with a big reflection, as Grade 5 student Fletcher shared, “We should always keep telling the stories that happened and never forget them, so it never happens again”