David Bouchard's Blog, page 16
October 10, 2011
October in Alberta and Northern Ontario
Edmonton, Standoff on the Blood Reserve, Owen Sound, Lindsay... I'm on the road making new friends and sharing my message: literacy/song/dance/culture...
My new book, Raven's Greatest Creation, is at the printer. Beneath Raven Moon should be there within the month. In the words of brother Joseph, "it's all good!"
Look closely in this image for Wolf...and Raven appears in the corners of Bear's eyes. Brigitte Lopez is a brilliant artist and Raven's Greatest will be one of my most spectacular cultural books to date!
September 12, 2011
SEPTEMBER TOUR
Summer has come and gone. Kids are back in schools and that means teachers are back and so am I. I'm back on the road. I spent the first week of September in and around Kenora/Dryden. This picture is of Shoal Lake 40 school...on the spectacular island that houses Shoal Lake 40 First Nation. I came home for my birthday and am soon headed to Durham for a week.
Raven's Greatest Creation is at the printer's. Rainbow Crow is nearly there and Beneath Raven Moon is right behind that.
Professionally, all is good. Personally, my mom is in a battle with cancer. She is elderly and not likely to win this one. My father, sister..our entire family are soaking in every last minute we can with our wonderful mom/grandmother.
July 13, 2011
EducationMatters, Calgary's public education trust
Discovering Who You Are
Character, literacy and celebrating diverse cultures were the main focuses of the Towards a Compassionate Learning Community program at Cambrian Heights School.
As a diverse micro-community, Cambrian Heights School recognized the need to engage the students in literacy and culture, and to promote the love of reading outside of the school environment. Thanks to the support of an EducationMatters grant, famous Canadian Author, David Bouchard was invited to spread his messages about the importance of literacy and discovering who you are to the Cambrian Heights students.
Bouchard is a dynamic, passionate and engaging oral story teller and presenter who captures children's imaginations, while implanting powerful messages and lessons within the story. "This program was really three-fold," says Principal Bonnie Bilcox. "Children learned about character education, and how such virtues as honesty and humility make you a good person; there was a literacy piece that really brought the love of reading with your family at home to the forefront; and there was a cultural piece that allowed us to connect with the very diverse student population, and to celebrate their heritage." Bouchard's presentation was based on his book, The Seven Sacred Teachings of White Buffalo Calf Woman, which resonates with the messages of traditional First Nations values. The experience allowed children of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit descent, in particular, to really connect with Bouchard and reflect on their heritage and Aboriginal roots.
Bouchard's presentation involved parents and was a piece of a bigger picture, as his book became the theme for the year's studies throughout all grades. Students participated in many projects that related to the Seven Sacred Teachings. Students were given the opportunity to collaborate with Matt Palmer a documentary filmmaker, and to interview Bouchard when he visited Cambrian Heights. "It was epic meeting David Bouchard and talking with him about his ideas for our documentary based on his book— The Seven Sacred Teachings. I interviewed him and asked him what inspired him to become a writer and I remember him saying that his grandmother, who is dead, was his inspiration," says student Paula.
Learning leader, Christine McCrory says, "Bouchard is a very provocative and compelling individual who speaks about his own disconnect with his Métis heritage; as educators, we were realizing that a lot of our students couldn't identify with their roots and that there was a real lack of self-belonging."
The Towards a Compassionate Learning Community program in combination with Bouchard's presentation left a powerful impact on a great many students. One of the most powerful examples was when a student, who had experienced violent social influences, stood up in front of his peers during Bouchard's presentation and spoke about his personal connection to Bouchard's lessons. Afterwards, Bouchard met privately with the student and gave him a book about embracing his Aboriginal roots.
Watch David Bouchard present to Cambrian Heights students here.
Character, literacy and celebrating diverse cultures were the main focuses of the Towards a Compassionate Learning Community program at Cambrian Heights School.
As a diverse micro-community, Cambrian Heights School recognized the need to engage the students in literacy and culture, and to promote the love of reading outside of the school environment. Thanks to the support of an EducationMatters grant, famous Canadian Author, David Bouchard was invited to spread his messages about the importance of literacy and discovering who you are to the Cambrian Heights students.
Bouchard is a dynamic, passionate and engaging oral story teller and presenter who captures children's imaginations, while implanting powerful messages and lessons within the story. "This program was really three-fold," says Principal Bonnie Bilcox. "Children learned about character education, and how such virtues as honesty and humility make you a good person; there was a literacy piece that really brought the love of reading with your family at home to the forefront; and there was a cultural piece that allowed us to connect with the very diverse student population, and to celebrate their heritage." Bouchard's presentation was based on his book, The Seven Sacred Teachings of White Buffalo Calf Woman, which resonates with the messages of traditional First Nations values. The experience allowed children of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit descent, in particular, to really connect with Bouchard and reflect on their heritage and Aboriginal roots.
Bouchard's presentation involved parents and was a piece of a bigger picture, as his book became the theme for the year's studies throughout all grades. Students participated in many projects that related to the Seven Sacred Teachings. Students were given the opportunity to collaborate with Matt Palmer a documentary filmmaker, and to interview Bouchard when he visited Cambrian Heights. "It was epic meeting David Bouchard and talking with him about his ideas for our documentary based on his book— The Seven Sacred Teachings. I interviewed him and asked him what inspired him to become a writer and I remember him saying that his grandmother, who is dead, was his inspiration," says student Paula.
Learning leader, Christine McCrory says, "Bouchard is a very provocative and compelling individual who speaks about his own disconnect with his Métis heritage; as educators, we were realizing that a lot of our students couldn't identify with their roots and that there was a real lack of self-belonging."
The Towards a Compassionate Learning Community program in combination with Bouchard's presentation left a powerful impact on a great many students. One of the most powerful examples was when a student, who had experienced violent social influences, stood up in front of his peers during Bouchard's presentation and spoke about his personal connection to Bouchard's lessons. Afterwards, Bouchard met privately with the student and gave him a book about embracing his Aboriginal roots.
Watch David Bouchard present to Cambrian Heights students here.
July 12, 2011
The First Flute...and the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede draws millions of people ever year, all attracted for different reasons. The last time my girls and I attended was to take in the chuckwagon races from behind the scenes. Yet the highlight was spending time with our good friends Sharon and Dennis Weber. Master Metis artist Dennis Weber was my partner in The Secret of Your Name, a best seller that is still going strong. We are currently working on a new book with a Metis focus, 1885: The Metis Resistance (first hand accounts of North West Resistance).
I am working on another book with American artist Dol Oelze (http://www.donoelzeart.com/). Our book, The First Flute, is being published by Red Deer press this coming spring. The highlight of this years Stampede was meeting with Don to go over what we had, what we needed and all the wheres and whens of our book.
I can't imagine a more exciting way to make a living than dreaming my dreams and watching them unfold through the art of such talented people as all of my partners.
June 29, 2011
the Valley Sentinel - Aboriginal Day 2011
...Sincere thanks to the Valley Sentinel for this lovely article! It was a real pleasure spending time with Daniel and Andrea prior to our lovely community event! ...David
"Eagle who flies in and out of the clouds bringing messages from Creator"
On Tuesday June 21, David Bouchard plays one of his many flutes for a crowd that gathered after the end of his two-hour presentation to listen to more of his songs and stories. Bouchard performed in the Valemount Community Theatre at Valemount Secondary School to an attentive audience following an outdoor potluck dinner. Bouchard's Métis spirit name is Zhiibaayaanaakwad which means roughly…""Eagle who flies in and out of the clouds bringing messages from Creator".
Honoured Métis Writer Visits on Aboriginal Day
Daniel Betts
Editor
A bright warm sun broke through the clouds when famous Métis author and Order of Canada recipient, David Bouchard, arrived in our Valley on June 21, which also happened to be Aboriginal Day across Canada.
Outside Valemount Secondary School (VSS), many Valley residents gathered to enjoy a community potluck with David Bouchard. An authentic teepee had been set up and enjoyed by the children who attended. "I expected more mosquitoes, " Bouchard joked when opening his evening presentation, held at the Community Theatre at VSS. Moments earlier, as the audience was seating themselves, beautiful melodies filled the theatre as Bouchard expertly played one of his many flutes.
It had been a long road that led Bouchard to our community theatre on Aboriginal Day. "This year alone, since the first of February, I've travelled 62,000 miles. In the last 11 years it's for sure been a million miles," Bouchard told The Valley Sentinel, speaking to us before the show. Bouchard told us that he has likely been snowed-in in every remote community in Canada, including with a "big white ugly cook" in Natuashish in northern Labrador. "I've met a lot of interesting people and learned a lot of interesting stories," Bouchard said of his many travels. "The most significant thing I'm doing in my life is what I'm doing now," Bouchard declared. He said it took him 25 years to learn to become a better father and teacher. It started with him progressively watching his own son's struggle and coming to realize the importance of reading. "My sons don't read because I wasn't a good father, I just didn't know," Bouchard explained. He quoted famous author Maya Angelou who said, "Parents who know better, do better." He said he realized the power he has to make change happen and decided to use that power as a school principal.
Part one of his destiny was realized. Part two of Bouchard's journey came with the realization of his Métis ancestry. "It dawned on me that maybe I was put here for a reason, maybe my Grandmothers were waiting for the time to be right for me to be mature enough, to be ripe enough, to guide me," Bouchard said. He believes that the reason Aboriginal people are not readers is because they don't see themselves in books. "The good news is anything can change," Bouchard said. Bouchard noted such famous aboriginal authors as Joseph Boyden, who won the 2008 Giller Prize for Three Day Road and Drew Hayden Taylor, the Ojibway writer of Motorcycles & Sweetgrass.
"I have a mission to write cultural books that will be of interest to all ages and I am trying to include as many nations as I can," Bouchard declares. Bouchard explained that he changed to a publisher who agreed to print his books in native languages. "My dream is to get books in as many of our languages as I can, there are at least 62 living languages in our country," Bouchard explained. Bouchard has authored 52 books. "I have... maybe 10 in the fire," said Bouchard.
Bouchard's presentation held the audience spellbound for its two-hour length during which he demonstrated the different melodies his various flutes made, demonstrated to the children of the audience the importance of reading through the telling of stories and explained the key to becoming good reader.
"To become a reader, find one book you like and then one more and one more. That is why I like series like Harry Potter and Twilight," Bouchard told the audience.
Even when the presentation ended many members of the audience joined Bouchard on stage to speak with him personally, learn more of his beautiful flutes and to perhaps squeeze just a little more knowledge from such a wise man. Particularly obvious was the ease the children had speaking and interacting with Bouchard.
[image error]
Local First Nation Elder, Mae Frye, was impressed with the presentation. "I really enjoyed the show, especially the attention he gave to the kids, and how he encouraged them to read more books and watch less television. I think that was my highlight. He is a very good storyteller. Storytelling, I think, is very important," said Frye.
"Man with a Mission"
David Bouchard discusses the struggles Métis children have in learning to read.
Photos by Andrea Scholz
"Eagle who flies in and out of the clouds bringing messages from Creator"
On Tuesday June 21, David Bouchard plays one of his many flutes for a crowd that gathered after the end of his two-hour presentation to listen to more of his songs and stories. Bouchard performed in the Valemount Community Theatre at Valemount Secondary School to an attentive audience following an outdoor potluck dinner. Bouchard's Métis spirit name is Zhiibaayaanaakwad which means roughly…""Eagle who flies in and out of the clouds bringing messages from Creator".
Honoured Métis Writer Visits on Aboriginal Day
Daniel Betts
Editor
A bright warm sun broke through the clouds when famous Métis author and Order of Canada recipient, David Bouchard, arrived in our Valley on June 21, which also happened to be Aboriginal Day across Canada.
Outside Valemount Secondary School (VSS), many Valley residents gathered to enjoy a community potluck with David Bouchard. An authentic teepee had been set up and enjoyed by the children who attended. "I expected more mosquitoes, " Bouchard joked when opening his evening presentation, held at the Community Theatre at VSS. Moments earlier, as the audience was seating themselves, beautiful melodies filled the theatre as Bouchard expertly played one of his many flutes.
It had been a long road that led Bouchard to our community theatre on Aboriginal Day. "This year alone, since the first of February, I've travelled 62,000 miles. In the last 11 years it's for sure been a million miles," Bouchard told The Valley Sentinel, speaking to us before the show. Bouchard told us that he has likely been snowed-in in every remote community in Canada, including with a "big white ugly cook" in Natuashish in northern Labrador. "I've met a lot of interesting people and learned a lot of interesting stories," Bouchard said of his many travels. "The most significant thing I'm doing in my life is what I'm doing now," Bouchard declared. He said it took him 25 years to learn to become a better father and teacher. It started with him progressively watching his own son's struggle and coming to realize the importance of reading. "My sons don't read because I wasn't a good father, I just didn't know," Bouchard explained. He quoted famous author Maya Angelou who said, "Parents who know better, do better." He said he realized the power he has to make change happen and decided to use that power as a school principal.
Part one of his destiny was realized. Part two of Bouchard's journey came with the realization of his Métis ancestry. "It dawned on me that maybe I was put here for a reason, maybe my Grandmothers were waiting for the time to be right for me to be mature enough, to be ripe enough, to guide me," Bouchard said. He believes that the reason Aboriginal people are not readers is because they don't see themselves in books. "The good news is anything can change," Bouchard said. Bouchard noted such famous aboriginal authors as Joseph Boyden, who won the 2008 Giller Prize for Three Day Road and Drew Hayden Taylor, the Ojibway writer of Motorcycles & Sweetgrass.
"I have a mission to write cultural books that will be of interest to all ages and I am trying to include as many nations as I can," Bouchard declares. Bouchard explained that he changed to a publisher who agreed to print his books in native languages. "My dream is to get books in as many of our languages as I can, there are at least 62 living languages in our country," Bouchard explained. Bouchard has authored 52 books. "I have... maybe 10 in the fire," said Bouchard.
Bouchard's presentation held the audience spellbound for its two-hour length during which he demonstrated the different melodies his various flutes made, demonstrated to the children of the audience the importance of reading through the telling of stories and explained the key to becoming good reader.
"To become a reader, find one book you like and then one more and one more. That is why I like series like Harry Potter and Twilight," Bouchard told the audience.
Even when the presentation ended many members of the audience joined Bouchard on stage to speak with him personally, learn more of his beautiful flutes and to perhaps squeeze just a little more knowledge from such a wise man. Particularly obvious was the ease the children had speaking and interacting with Bouchard.
[image error]
Local First Nation Elder, Mae Frye, was impressed with the presentation. "I really enjoyed the show, especially the attention he gave to the kids, and how he encouraged them to read more books and watch less television. I think that was my highlight. He is a very good storyteller. Storytelling, I think, is very important," said Frye.
"Man with a Mission"
David Bouchard discusses the struggles Métis children have in learning to read.
Photos by Andrea Scholz
June 24, 2011
School's out for summer...
My spring tour is over. It was amazing! In the past three months alone, I have travelled 70,000
miles and made hundreds of new friends. In spite of those miles, hotels and restaurants, I'm feeling strong and healthy.
I spent a good part of June in the Rocky Mountains. In Pincher Creek, I worked with my Blackfoot friends and was able to catch up with my old friends Tyler and Judy Trafford. Tyler is the author of one of my favourite series ever: Sun on the Mountains.
In Valemount, I was hosted by my old friend Claude Germain. I stayed in Moose Cottage at [image error] Teepee Meadows. The mountains don't get any prettier and the mountain men don't get any sweeter!
I now have a few weeks to spend at home, catching up. I hope to get two of my new books wrapped up and printed by the fall. Red Deer also has my book Rainbow Crow ready to go. It could/should be out by September or October.
Catching up on my writings, walking my dogs, resting and getting reacquainted with my family... I started my home time by going to my dad's doctor for a three way chat..a talk about drugs, pain, sleep and all those vital things in the life of a 93 year old. The amazing part of this story is that dad is in great shape. He walks a ton. He drives too much. [image error] He cares for my mom, his dog and anyone who needs caring for. My dad has set the bar terribly high...as shown in this picture. As I write, my dad is calling me with updates on the NHL draft and the Blue Jays playing in the ninth.
Life doesn't get any better. I wish this kind of happiness for all...
miles and made hundreds of new friends. In spite of those miles, hotels and restaurants, I'm feeling strong and healthy.I spent a good part of June in the Rocky Mountains. In Pincher Creek, I worked with my Blackfoot friends and was able to catch up with my old friends Tyler and Judy Trafford. Tyler is the author of one of my favourite series ever: Sun on the Mountains.
In Valemount, I was hosted by my old friend Claude Germain. I stayed in Moose Cottage at [image error] Teepee Meadows. The mountains don't get any prettier and the mountain men don't get any sweeter!
I now have a few weeks to spend at home, catching up. I hope to get two of my new books wrapped up and printed by the fall. Red Deer also has my book Rainbow Crow ready to go. It could/should be out by September or October.
Catching up on my writings, walking my dogs, resting and getting reacquainted with my family... I started my home time by going to my dad's doctor for a three way chat..a talk about drugs, pain, sleep and all those vital things in the life of a 93 year old. The amazing part of this story is that dad is in great shape. He walks a ton. He drives too much. [image error] He cares for my mom, his dog and anyone who needs caring for. My dad has set the bar terribly high...as shown in this picture. As I write, my dad is calling me with updates on the NHL draft and the Blue Jays playing in the ninth.
Life doesn't get any better. I wish this kind of happiness for all...
June 14, 2011
62,000 miles since March 1st!
62,000 miles in three months! I am so lucky!
Once again, I've been high and low, east and
west...urban and rural...reserve to downtown metropolis Canada!
And now, I have two short trips before coming home for the summer...and home is a most magical place! This morning, Vicki and I shared a coffee as we walked Royal Dude and Louis Riel (seen in this picture) in our garden.
Travelling...making new friends... seeing new sights...and making a difference in the lives of communities, families and so many wonderful people! Can it get any better?
Once again, I've been high and low, east and
west...urban and rural...reserve to downtown metropolis Canada! And now, I have two short trips before coming home for the summer...and home is a most magical place! This morning, Vicki and I shared a coffee as we walked Royal Dude and Louis Riel (seen in this picture) in our garden.
Travelling...making new friends... seeing new sights...and making a difference in the lives of communities, families and so many wonderful people! Can it get any better?
June 4, 2011
A Reading List with an Aboriginal focus
For my new friends - for WILU members with whom I had the privilege of spending yesterday… (http://www2.uregina.ca/wilu2011/)
Thank you for your kind and wonderful reception. I'd like to tell you that all my audiences are as warm and passionate about my message as you were but it isn't so.
You are wonderful - a national treasure. Miigwetch/marcee/thank you.
This is the list I promised you – the books I spoke about during my workshop.
Books by Aboriginal writers…that include aboriginal readers - the few that I was able to speak to in our short time together:
1. Joseph Boyden's Three Day Road and his Through Black Spruce
2. Richard Wagamese's One Native Life, For Joshua, Keeper 'n Me, and my favourite Ragged Company
3. Drew Hayden Taylor's Motorcycles and Sweetgrass, his Me Funny and Me Sexy.
4. Joseph Bruchac's….plethora of excellent books.
5. Joseph Marshall III's One Hundred in the Hand
6. Picture book by Dale Auger…Mwakwa – Talks to the Loon
7. Picture books by Richard Van Camp and George Littlechild
8. Picture books by C.J. Taylor
9. Picture book by Maxine Trottier
10. Picture/cultural books that I have written
Books that include aboriginal readers…
1. Alfred Silver's The Red River Story
2. Tyler Trafford's Sun on the Mountains (trilogy)
3. John Vaillant's The Golden Spruce (I spoke of Tiger as well)
4. Paul Peel's Autobiography
5. Sacajawea by Anna Lea Waldo
6. Guy Vanderhaeghe's The Englishman's Boy and The Last Crossing
7. Gear and Gear's multitude of books…I spoke to their newest Coming of the Storm and the their YA Children of the Dawnland.
8. Jean Auld's Clan of the Cave Bear series
9. Win Blevins' Stone Song and his Rock Child
10. The Diary of John Jewitt
11. Michelle Paver's Chronicles of Darkness
12. Manda Scott's Boudica
13. Thomas Berger's Little Big Man
During my keynote, I read from Richard Jorgensen's Reading with Dad
That's it... I home safe and sound...without the iPad I thought I might have landed at the U of R. Darn ...Group hug -
May 29, 2011
Coming into June
It's the end of May and I'm home from the longest tour of my last twelve years. I've never been away from home for so much of any one month. I left home on May 1st and didn't come home for three weeks. I came home for two days then left again
for a week in Orillia. May was a good month but not the healthiest of months. I find it difficult being away from my family. I know there are many out there, particularily in the far north, who are able to/or have to in some cases. For me, it's difficult. My issues are likely linked to my childhood growing up in a private boys college, College Mathieu in Gravelbourg, Sask. My years there were good but often lonely.
...I leave tomorrow for Kelowna but the month of June is a well balanced month...road and home in harmony. It's all good...Oh...I should add that I have found a family on the road. Just look at these two handsome, smiling faces. How could anyone not love men like these?
for a week in Orillia. May was a good month but not the healthiest of months. I find it difficult being away from my family. I know there are many out there, particularily in the far north, who are able to/or have to in some cases. For me, it's difficult. My issues are likely linked to my childhood growing up in a private boys college, College Mathieu in Gravelbourg, Sask. My years there were good but often lonely....I leave tomorrow for Kelowna but the month of June is a well balanced month...road and home in harmony. It's all good...Oh...I should add that I have found a family on the road. Just look at these two handsome, smiling faces. How could anyone not love men like these?
May 19, 2011
End of a long tour
Tomorrow will be the final day of the longest tour of my year. I left home on May 1st and I've been away from my home and family for three weeks...missing Vicki's birthday, Mother's Day...Victoria's school dance and more...I have traveled thousands of miles. Tonight, I sleep in Montreal. Last night, I slept in Ottawa. The night before that, Cambridge... If it sounds like I'm tired, I am a little. Planes, hotels and restaurants will do that to a person. If it sounds as if I'm ungrateful, I am not. I am grateful for the opportunity to make many new friends, to share my learnings and to matter where there is a need. I'm grateful to be able to see so much of our beautiful country (Owen Sound, Saugeen, Bracebridge...Cambridge and Ottawa)! And as an added bonus, I get to spend time with friends and family (cousins Denis, Ro and Lauren, friends Steve Rensink, Jeff Burnham, Raymond Skye, Ray Auger, and Tribal Vision (shown here).
I will go home tomorrow night for two quality days before flying back to Ontario for a week in Barrie, Orillia and Rama! It's all good!
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