Formal Literary Paragraph: Métis Traditional Story

Within the pages of Janice DePeel’s Chi-Jean and the Red Willows, the young, naive protagonist of Ralph pleads for more indigenous stories to be told, showcasing how learning is truly embedded in memory, history, and story (fnesc 1). Ralph learns and discovers new stories through the traditional history and memory of his ancestors, and his elders provide him with immersive memories that are built from the story of The Red Willows, the first story he had ever been told by one of his elders. The impact of the story was great, with the quotation “Mooshum smiled. It was the first story he’d ever told Ralph when they had first come to Canoe Lake together.” (DePeel 1) showcasing the magnitude in which the impact of the story was felt. The piece uses traditional Métis phrases and language while still being understood by a wider, English-speaking audience, and the showcase of tradition is hugely important for culture to be shared and spread throughout various communities. This short piece of prose showcases a wide array of emotional storytelling, emphasizing trickster stories and different reactions to create something deeply resonant with Métis culture. To emphasize this traditional storytelling, the author paints a picture of the storyteller using body language to create a unique and important atmosphere “Mooshum jumped forward from the rock onto his feet, startling everyone, so they too jumped. Everyone gasped in surprise, and then they all laughed.” (DePeel 2). In first people's stories, body language and format are some of the most important factors in getting points across, and showcasing this knowledge through the lens of an indigenous family is an important statement towards how indigenous storytelling is passed down through generational knowledge and memories. 

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Citations:

Principles of Indigenous Learning (fnesc 1)

Chi-Jean and the Red Willows (DePeel 1-4)