Rik Leaf's Blog, page 6

Want To Learn To Travel More For Less?

Why Family Travel Adventures Are Important & Playing It Safe is Dangerous

Recently our family toured the Northland region of New Zealand. Over 10 days we had many extreme family travel adventures that included Rock The Boat Adventure Cruise, The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. We saved a frigging bundle of cash by staying at some of the best hostels we’ve ever seen…so thank you YHA New Zealand.

Our experience on Rock the Boat Adventure Cruise was perfectly summed up in a raucous song I wrote and used as the backdrop for the opening segment of the story. Conversations with other travellers and YHA hostel owners in Paihia and Whangarei inspired a short slam poem. And if you’ve got six minutes to spare, you can read the adventurous story below.

Mental Pilgrimagery & Exploding Hand Gestures

“I’m going on a mental pilgrimage now. I’ll talk to you all later,” Our 19-year-old son Zion lobbed this lofty pronouncement from the backseat, as he organized his earphones and dubstep playlist. As his parents, Zara and I have spent two decades riffing on Zion’s phraseology. “Ah, you’re into pilgrimagery now,” I remark.

“You should put pilgrimigering on your resume,” Zara added.

Five years ago, Zara and I sold our house in Canada and invested our life savings traveling around the world for a year with Zion and our daughter Riel. On that trip, we spent six weeks touring New Zealand, but never made it to Northland. We’ve come back to remedy that outrageous oversight.

The Hibiscus Coast Highway swallows us in a ‘junglee’ vibe. Zara and Riel are filming out every window trying to capture the ridiculous amount of greenery, as my gums flap in the breeze in a vain attempt to describe what I see. Northland leaves me feeling inadequate as a poet and writer…I mean, we’re not even halfway from Auckland to Whangarei and I’ve already run out of adjectives and am desperately short on superlatives.

300 meters from our accommodations tonight in Whangarei #whangarei #newzealand #yha #travel #adventure #fourhomelessmillionaires

“You know how people in movies can never run or hide from the mob or nefarious government agencies?” I say at one point, trying to describe the otherworldliness. “Seriously…you could just move anywhere on this coast and I swear no one would ever find you!” As I make this observation, I am unaware I’ll be eating these words later that night for dinner in the Bay of Islands.

We’re heading to Paihia where we’re overnighting on YHA Bay of Islands The Rock Cruise. The Rock is a floating hostel that offers a 22-hour adventure package. Personally I think management should be ashamed for their misleading online advertising. Nowhere in their promotional material did I find any mention of a ‘mind-blowing, conscious-altering life experience.’ As this best describes our time on board, it just seems a bit irresponsible is all I’m saying.

Over the 22 hours we fished, kayaked, snorkeled, ate steaks off the BBQ and tried raw ‘kina’ eggs from sea urchins. But the most spectacular, jaw-dropping experience happened under the cloak of darkness. Now I’m no scientist, but as I understand it, there is a plankton-like creature with magical Middle-earthish superhero skills that lives in the water in the Bay of Islands. It absorbs sunlight during the day and at night when the water is disturbed, glows and shimmers with an electric bioluminescence. We knelt on the deck with childlike wonder, running our fingers through the water, mesmerized by the miniature galaxies shooting out of our fingers tips. I didn’t realize I was making laser sounds until Zion elbowed me in the ribs and shushed, “Dad, two words ‘mental pilgrimagery.’ Give it a try…for all our sakes.”

At one point we jumped in a couple of tandem kayaks and paddled off into the darkest reaches of the bay. We laid back in silence under a breathtaking array of stars as the water shimmered through our fingers. With Zara in front of me, and Zion and Riel floating just a few feet away, it was easily one of the Top 3 experiences of my life, in no small part because we were experiencing it as a family. “This world is amazing,” I whispered as Riel paddled past. With exploding hand gestures on either side of her head she nodded and mouthed the words, “mind blown.”

Back at The Rock some people were night swimming. As someone swam by four feet under water, their breaststroke movement looked like they were making snow angels in outer space.

As Zara and Riel huddled with a shivering group of swimmers around the fireplace, the first mate came up to me and said, “All day I’ve been trying to figure out why the names Rik, Zara, Zion and Riel sound so familiar, and I finally figured it out. I was at your concert in Fort St John, B.C., Canada and bought your book.”

The Four Homeless Millionaires and the 2cd mate aboard The Rock Adventure Cruise #fourhomelessmillionaires #rocktheboatnz #paihia #northlands #newzealand #bayofislands #yha #myyha

My mind reeled at the staggering odds that out of 35 people floating on a little houseboat in the Bay of Islands, one of them would have been at a concert on the other side of the world. Speechless, I mimed Riel’s actions and mouthed, “mind-blown.” That’s when I realized the movies are true…this great big world is too small to hide from the mob!

The following day we checked into YHA Bay of Islands Paihia and met Andy, the gregarious owner who exudes an infectious joie de vivre that permeates the establishment. As I commented on the energy bustling about the kitchen and patio, Andy said, “We’re social creatures. We want connection with others and at a hostel it’s easy. You don’t have to go to a bar or club, it happens while you’re cooking dinner or just hanging out having a glass of wine. Interaction is all around.” Andy perfectly summed up why our family has always loved hostels.

The next morning we joined a group kayaking from the Waitangi Bridge to Haruru Falls. We glided through Mangrove forests, past Maori Pa sites and eventually paddled our badass selves right into the falls. After paddling back and devouring a second breakfast that would have made Pippin proud, we drove down to the Waipoua Forest to walk among the gargantuan kauri trees. Standing at the base of the 2500 year old, Tāne Mahuta ‘Lord of the Forest’ I fully expected to run into the Lorax.

Zara & Riel & the Three Sisters #kauritree #threesisters #northland #newzealand #aotearoa #familytravel #fourhomelessmillionaires

The next day we headed north to 90 Mile Beach and Cape Reinga. Savvy parental travelers know that stocking up on pilgramigering snacks before a road trip is a must. As I was pulling into the Countdown, I had a Kiwi-Canadian, smile-and-wave moment with a couple that were hitchhiking on the side of the road. An hour later when we stopped for gas we saw them again, standing thumbs up on the side of a different road.

A couple hours and a terabyte of photos and video later, we arrived at Cape Reinga. We were strolling down the path to the lighthouse, feeling like we were on top of the bottom of the world when we met the hitchhikers! The fact that we ran into them again, AND, that they’d beaten us to Cape Reinga turned me into a babbling brook. I told them how connected we all were in this great big world, but how the universe had revealed that none of us can hide from the mob or nefarious governments because it’s so small. Zara whispered that I was scaring the hitchhikers, but I like to think the wariness in their steely-eyed gaze meant that they found my observations incredibly deep.

On our return from Cape Reinga we stopped to rent sandboards so Zion and Riel could fly pell-mell down the giant dunes. Someone on Instagram thought we were on a Star Wars movie set. We headed to Rarawa Beach to investigate a claim that it has the whitest and squeakiest sand in NZ. Then with much fear and trepidation, we seized the opportunity to drive down 90 Mile Beach, one of the only beaches in the world that is a registered highway. Thankfully tsunami-like waves did not materialize, and I was not tumbled out to sea amid the accusatory screams of my children. Mental pilgrimagery for an imagination like mine can be quite terrifying at times.

The next day we oohed and aahed our way through more gorgeous greenery on our way to Whangarei and as we rolled into town wouldn’t you know…we passed the same hitchhikers! There are some moments this great big world feels ridiculously small.

We checked into YHA Whangarei and met Martin, the owner who immediately asked, “How much time do you have and what would you like to do while you’re here?” Within minutes, Martin’s hand drawn map had led us to a gorgeous waterfall and a secluded swimming hole with a dangling rope swing that Zion found too tempting to pass up. Riel videoed me blathering on to Zion about momentum and trajectory while Zara tried to protect her firstborn by continually interjecting that I had no idea what I was taking about.

Even though we’ve been in New Zealand driving on the left side of the road for ten days, I still periodically turn my windshield wipers on instead of my signal lights. I don’t know if I should blame it on muscle memory or stupidity…for the most part, Kiwi drivers have saved their commentary for behind my back…and for that, I am truly thankful.

In spite of my latent asininity, we’re back on the road barreling south with windshield wipers flying on our way to Waitomo with visions of glowworms and blackwater rafting dancing in our heads.

Upon arrival, a rotund gentleman with what my son described as a, Gilmi-esque physique, directed us to park in a delightfully green field and showed us a secret path to the visitor centre. We joined the teeming crowds touring the Waitomo Caves, weaving our way through stalagmites as stalactites hung like gothic chandeliers in a vaulted subterranean cathedral. At the end of that tour, we popped our heads above ground just long enough to catch a shuttle bus down the road to explore the Ruakuri Caves. My only real complaint with New Zealand so far is how many times I have to mouth the words, ‘mind blown’ while making the little exploding hand gestures.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

After a full day of driving and caving, we headed to YHA Waitomo where we’d booked a room. Or had we? Wires had gotten crossed, reservations had not been reserved and the hostel was fully booked. Not being a religious family, we still thanked god profusely for Stephanie, a very resourceful and extravagantly tattooed young woman who possessed razor sharp problem solving skills. She procured a tent, mattresses and sleeping bags for Zion and I, and found Zara and Riel the last two available beds in the hostel. No matter what she’s making, Stephanie deserves a raise!

We woke well rested the next morning and headed to the Legendary Blackwater Rafting Co. for a 5-hour caving adventure. It was hands down one of the best family adventure experiences we’ve had. We were abseiling, clinging to flying fox zip lines, climbing waterfalls, jumping off ledges into inky black eel infested waters and floating down an underground river on tubes. There were caves the height of cathedrals with glowworms illuminating the ceiling like constellations. And long narrow tunnels with slender clefts in the rock that allowed me ample opportunity to test the strength of my safety helmet. It was family fun at its absolute best.

As we headed for Auckland we were all chattering and laughing in a post-adrenalin haze. Taking turns retelling our favourite moments, it was hard to believe we’d done so much in Waitomo in just 24 hours. It’s a truly spectacular area in an amazing country. If I were a local, putting up with goofy foreigners flapping their windshield wipers at every intersection would be a small price to pay for living in paradise. At least that’s what I’d tell myself.

 

The post Want To Learn To Travel More For Less? appeared first on Rik Leaf.

Extreme Family Travel

Extreme Family Travel Adventures – Minds Blown in New Zealand

A lot of the time I work with schools and educators in communities across Canada, but recently I worked on a project for YHA New Zealand. Our family of, Four Homeless Millionaires, toured the Northland region, which is located right at the top of New Zealand’s north island. Drawing from our activities over a 10 day period, I produced a number of videos and wrote a story-forward article of our extreme family travel adventures. This included, YHA Bay of Islands The Rock Cruise and The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. in Waitomo.

Part of the process included writing two original songs and a new travel/adventure slam poem that were used in the videos. You can read the story below.

Mental Pilgrimagery, Blown Minds & Exploding Hand Gestures

“I’m going on a mental pilgrimage now. I’ll talk to you all later,” Our 19-year-old son Zion lobbed this lofty pronouncement from the backseat, as he organized his earphones and dubstep playlist. As his parents, Zara and I have spent two decades riffing on Zion’s phraseology. “Ah, you’re into pilgrimagery now,” I remark.

“You should put pilgrimigering on your resume,” Zara added.

Five years ago, Zara and I sold our house in Canada and invested our life savings traveling around the world for a year with Zion and our daughter Riel. On that trip, we spent six weeks touring New Zealand, but never made it to Northland. We’ve come back to remedy that outrageous oversight.

The Hibiscus Coast Highway swallows us in a ‘junglee’ vibe. Zara and Riel are filming out every window trying to capture the ridiculous amount of greenery, as my gums flap in the breeze in a vain attempt to describe what I see. Northland leaves me feeling inadequate as a poet and writer…I mean, we’re not even halfway from Auckland to Whangarei and I’ve already run out of adjectives and am desperately short on superlatives.

“You know how people in movies can never run or hide from the mob or nefarious government agencies?” I say at one point, trying to describe the otherworldliness. “Seriously…you could just move anywhere on this coast and I swear no one would ever find you!” As I make this observation, I am unaware I’ll be eating these words later that night for dinner in the Bay of Islands.

We’re heading to Paihia where we’re overnighting on YHA Bay of Islands The Rock Cruise. The Rock is a floating hostel that offers a 22-hour adventure package. Personally I think management should be ashamed for their misleading online advertising. Nowhere in their promotional material did I find any mention of a ‘mind-blowing, conscious-altering life experience.’ As this best describes our time on board, it just seems a bit irresponsible is all I’m saying.

Over the 22 hours we fished, kayaked, snorkeled, ate steaks off the BBQ and tried raw ‘kina’ eggs from sea urchins. But the most spectacular, jaw-dropping experience happened under the cloak of darkness. Now I’m no scientist, but as I understand it, there is a plankton-like creature with magical Middle-earthish superhero skills that lives in the water in the Bay of Islands. It absorbs sunlight during the day and at night when the water is disturbed, glows and shimmers with an electric bioluminescence. We knelt on the deck with childlike wonder, running our fingers through the water, mesmerized by the miniature galaxies shooting out of our fingers tips. I didn’t realize I was making laser sounds until Zion elbowed me in the ribs and shushed, “Dad, two words ‘mental pilgrimagery.’ Give it a try…for all our sakes.”

At one point we jumped in a couple of tandem kayaks and paddled off into the darkest reaches of the bay. We laid back in silence under a breathtaking array of stars as the water shimmered through our fingers. With Zara in front of me, and Zion and Riel floating just a few feet away, it was easily one of the Top 3 experiences of my life, in no small part because we were experiencing it as a family. “This world is amazing,” I whispered as Riel paddled past. With exploding hand gestures on either side of her head she nodded and mouthed the words, “mind blown.”

Back at The Rock some people were night swimming. As someone swam by four feet under water, their breaststroke movement looked like they were making snow angels in outer space.

As Zara and Riel huddled with a shivering group of swimmers around the fireplace, the first mate came up to me and said, “All day I’ve been trying to figure out why the names Rik, Zara, Zion and Riel sound so familiar, and I finally figured it out. I was at your concert in Fort St John, B.C., Canada and bought your book.”

My mind reeled at the staggering odds that out of 35 people floating on a little houseboat in the Bay of Islands, one of them would have been at a concert on the other side of the world. Speechless, I mimed Riel’s actions and mouthed, “mind-blown.” That’s when I realized the movies are true…this great big world is too small to hide from the mob!

The following day we checked into YHA Bay of Islands Paihia and met Andy, the gregarious owner who exudes an infectious joie de vivre that permeates the establishment. As I commented on the energy bustling about the kitchen and patio, Andy said, “We’re social creatures. We want connection with others and at a hostel it’s easy. You don’t have to go to a bar or club, it happens while you’re cooking dinner or just hanging out having a glass of wine. Interaction is all around.” Andy perfectly summed up why our family has always loved hostels.

The next morning we joined a group kayaking from the Waitangi Bridge to Haruru Falls. We glided through Mangrove forests, past Maori Pa sites and eventually paddled our badass selves right into the falls. After paddling back and devouring a second breakfast that would have made Pippin proud, we drove down to the Waipoua Forest to walk among the gargantuan kauri trees. Standing at the base of the 2500 year old, Tāne Mahuta ‘Lord of the Forest’ I fully expected to run into the Lorax.

The next day we headed north to 90 Mile Beach and Cape Reinga. Savvy parental travelers know that stocking up on pilgramigering snacks before a road trip is a must. As I was pulling into the Countdown, I had a Kiwi-Canadian, smile-and-wave moment with a couple that were hitchhiking on the side of the road. An hour later when we stopped for gas we saw them again, standing thumbs up on the side of a different road.

A couple hours and a terabyte of photos and video later, we arrived at Cape Reinga. We were strolling down the path to the lighthouse, feeling like we were on top of the bottom of the world when we met the hitchhikers! The fact that we ran into them again, AND, that they’d beaten us to Cape Reinga turned me into a babbling brook. I told them how connected we all were in this great big world, but how the universe had revealed that none of us can hide from the mob or nefarious governments because it’s so small. Zara whispered that I was scaring the hitchhikers, but I like to think the wariness in their steely-eyed gaze meant that they found my observations incredibly deep.

On our return from Cape Reinga we stopped to rent sandboards so Zion and Riel could fly pell-mell down the giant dunes. Someone on Instagram thought we were on a Star Wars movie set. We headed to Rarawa Beach to investigate a claim that it has the whitest and squeakiest sand in NZ. Then with much fear and trepidation, we seized the opportunity to drive down 90 Mile Beach, one of the only beaches in the world that is a registered highway. Thankfully tsunami-like waves did not materialize, and I was not tumbled out to sea amid the accusatory screams of my children. Mental pilgrimagery for an imagination like mine can be quite terrifying at times.

The next day we oohed and aahed our way through more gorgeous greenery on our way to Whangarei and as we rolled into town wouldn’t you know…we passed the same hitchhikers! There are some moments this great big world feels ridiculously small.

We checked into YHA Whangarei and met Martin, the owner who immediately asked, “How much time do you have and what would you like to do while you’re here?” Within minutes, Martin’s hand drawn map had led us to a gorgeous waterfall and a secluded swimming hole with a dangling rope swing that Zion found too tempting to pass up. Riel videoed me blathering on to Zion about momentum and trajectory while Zara tried to protect her firstborn by continually interjecting that I had no idea what I was taking about. Good time…good times.

From Cape Reinga to Whangarei, our Northland adventures were truly epic and receive our 8 enthusiastic thumbs up endorsement, followed with a resounding ‘mind blown’ cheer with exploding hand gestures.

We’ve been in New Zealand driving on the left side of the road for ten days, and I still periodically turn my windshield wipers on instead of my signal lights. For the most part, Kiwi drivers have saved their commentary for behind my back…and for that, I am truly thankful.

Our family loves travelling. My wife and I sold our house in Canada a few years ago and spent thirteen months traipsing around the world, having the time of our lives with our two kids. Of all the exotic locations we visited, New Zealand ranked top of our list. So we’re back, barreling down the road with windshield wipers flying on our way to Waitomo with visions of glowworms and blackwater rafting dancing in our heads.

Upon arrival, a rotund gentleman with what my son described as a, Gilmi-esque physique, directed us to park in a delightfully green field and showed us a secret path to the visitor centre. We joined the teeming crowds touring the Waitomo Caves, weaving our way through stalagmites as stalactites hung like gothic chandeliers in a vaulted subterranean cathedral. At the end of that tour, we popped our heads above ground just long enough to catch a shuttle bus down the road to explore the Ruakuri Caves. My only real complaint with New Zealand so far is how many times I have to mouth the words, ‘mind blown’ while making the little exploding hand gestures.

After a full day of driving and caving, we headed to YHA Waitomo where we’d booked a room. Or had we? Wires had gotten crossed, reservations had not been reserved and the hostel was fully booked. Not being a religious family, we still thanked god profusely for Stephanie, a very resourceful and extravagantly tattooed young woman who possessed razor sharp problem solving skills. She procured a tent, mattresses and sleeping bags for Zion and I, and found Zara and Riel the last two available beds in the hostel. No matter what she’s making, Stephanie deserves a raise!

We woke well rested the next morning and headed to the Legendary Blackwater Rafting Co. for a 5-hour caving adventure. It was hands down one of the best family adventure experiences we’ve had. We were abseiling, clinging to flying fox zip lines, climbing waterfalls, jumping off ledges into inky black eel infested waters and floating down an underground river on tubes. There were caves the height of cathedrals with glowworms illuminating the ceiling like constellations. And long narrow tunnels with slender clefts in the rock that allowed me ample opportunity to test the strength of my safety helmet. It was family fun at its absolute best.

As we headed for Auckland we were all chattering and laughing in a post-adrenalin haze. Taking turns retelling our favourite moments, it was hard to believe we’d done so much in Waitomo in just 24 hours. It’s a truly spectacular area in an amazing country. If I were a local, putting up with goofy foreigners flapping their windshield wipers at every intersection would be a small price to pay for living in paradise. At least that’s what I’d tell myself.

 

The post Extreme Family Travel appeared first on Rik Leaf.

Inspiring Students Through Storytelling

Inspiring Students Through Storytelling, Slam Poetry & Songwriting

The Power of Words will interest schools who are looking for engaging and entertaining presentations that will inspire students of all ages.

One Hour Assembly Presentation

The Power of Words is an entertaining one hour assembly presentation featuring SLAM POETRY, SONGS, INSTRUMENTAL STORYTELLING and an author READING HILARIOUS EXCERPTS from his book. Inspiring & Ideal for all grades & ages

Power of Words & Paper Planes (this is activity is optional)

Each student makes a paper airplane that contains an inspiring or encouraging message. Everyone makes one. Everyone throws one. Everyone gets one.

It’s fun and crazy experience that highlights the power of words in our lives.

A Poetry Slam

Schools who would like to invest a bit more in the power of words, can follow up the assembly with slam poetry workshops. These can accommodate any number of students, and combine creative writing and creative performance.

For more information on The Power of Words contact, 250-896-2572 or info@rikleaf.com

Rik Leaf is a Producer/Performer, Published Author and Slam Poet specializing in creative and cultural literacy and new technology presentations in schools and communities across Canada. For more information and videos from schools Rik has worked in across Canada CLICK HERE

The post Inspiring Students Through Storytelling appeared first on Rik Leaf.

Creative Literacy Project

How To Inspire Creative Literacy Through Slam Poetry, Songwriting & Storytelling

The Power of Words will interest schools who are looking for engaging and entertaining presentations that will inspire students of all ages.

One Hour Assembly Presentation

The Power of Words is an entertaining one hour assembly presentation featuring SLAM POETRY, SONGS, INSTRUMENTAL STORYTELLING and an author READING HILARIOUS EXCERPTS from his book. Inspiring & Ideal for all grades & ages

Power of Words & Paper Planes (this is activity is optional)

Each student makes a paper airplane that contains an inspiring or encouraging message. Everyone makes one. Everyone throws one. Everyone gets one.

It’s fun and crazy experience that highlights the power of words in our lives.

A Poetry Slam

Schools who would like to invest a bit more in the power of words, can follow up the assembly with slam poetry workshops. These can accommodate any number of students, and combine creative writing and creative performance.

For more information on The Power of Words contact, 250-896-2572 or info@rikleaf.com

Rik Leaf is a Producer/Performer, Published Author and Slam Poet specializing in creative and cultural literacy and new technology presentations in schools and communities across Canada. For more information and videos from schools Rik has worked in across Canada CLICK HERE

The post Creative Literacy Project appeared first on Rik Leaf.

Inspire Literacy!

Inspiring Literacy Through Slam Poetry, Songs & Storytelling

The Power of Words will interest schools who are looking for engaging and entertaining presentations that will inspire students of all ages.

One Hour Assembly Presentation

The Power of Words is an entertaining one hour assembly presentation featuring SLAM POETRY, SONGS, INSTRUMENTAL STORYTELLING and an author READING HILARIOUS EXCERPTS from his book. Inspiring & Ideal for all grades & ages

Power of Words & Paper Planes (this is activity is optional)

Each student makes a paper airplane that contains an inspiring or encouraging message. Everyone makes one. Everyone throws one. Everyone gets one.

It’s fun and crazy experience that highlights the power of words in our lives.

A Poetry Slam

Schools who would like to invest a bit more in the power of words, can follow up the assembly with slam poetry workshops. These can accommodate any number of students, and combine creative writing and creative performance.

For more information on The Power of Words contact, 250-896-2572 or info@rikleaf.com

Rik Leaf is a Producer/Performer, Published Author and Slam Poet specializing in creative and cultural literacy and new technology presentations in schools and communities across Canada. For more information and videos from schools Rik has worked in across Canada CLICK HERE

The post Inspire Literacy! appeared first on Rik Leaf.

Tribe of One

Tribe of One – National Collective of Indigenous Artists

Tribe of One is a collective of world-class indigenous performers who fuse the rich heritage of our unique cultures with modern forms of artistic expression. Featuring First Nations, Metis, French & English musicians, dancers, painters and slam poets, we create wildly unique, one-of-a-kind performances.

Outside of Tribe performances our artists work at the highest levels of their specific industry, facilitating creative and cultural literacy events, workshops and cultural presentations. We have worked with the Foreign Affairs Department of Canada, The United Nations, Red Cross, War Child Canada and UNESCO. We’ve traveled to war torn countries and continually work to advance indigenous cultures and ways of learning, about ourselves and the world around us.

For 2016 Tribe of One is excited to unveil new collaborations, new songs, dances, teachings and workshops. We love to share our cultures and stories with others, but we also love to learn. There are many exciting opportunities in the works, and we hope our tour schedule will bring us to your corner of the world!

If you are interested in Tribe of One contact info@tribeofone.com

The post Tribe of One appeared first on Rik Leaf.

Celebrating Indigenous Creativity & Culture

 
ONYAT’A:KA Celebrating Student’s Creativity & Traditional Indigenous Culture

This week 100 students from Standing Stone School, at Oneida Nation of the Thames, wrote and recorded original songs, 25 participated in filmmaking and another 20 in slam poetry. It was a celebration of Oneida creativity and indigenous culture.

On Friday afternoon just before the end of the day, students poured out of their classrooms and we had this impromptu rock show moment in the hallway! Since we uploaded the video it’s been viewed 9.3K times!

Christmas Town

When I walked into the Grade 2 classroom I asked what type of song they’d like to write. “A Christmas song!” one little girl exclaimed. I asked what we should call it. “Christmas Town” another chimed in. By the time I could grab a marker and make my way to the white board the kids were off and running, calling out lyrics as I scrambled to write them down.

I grabbed my guitar and started to find a melody that would work with the lyrics. In four days we wrote the music, lyrics and melody together and recorded it. And honestly…it’s an amazing song!

Songwriting in Oneida

At the beginning of the week, I had an opportunity to get together with L:ao Antone, the Oneida language teacher, who graciously helped me work out some Oneida words that could be incorporated into the song I was writing with the kids. Creative and cultural literacy projects are an incredible opportunity to work together collaboratively to create something bigger than anyone person who is involved. This video is where we started on Monday…by Friday we were chanting at the top of our lungs in the hallway like we were at a rock concert!

Better Hold One

Another class had a poster on the wall that talked about the importance of honesty, friendship, respect and trust. I asked them for an example of what these words look like in their lives.

They started telling me about the new girl in their class, and how they wanted to make sure she was included and felt welcome. That story became the basis of our song lyrics. In between our sessions, the class worked together to act out the story on the playground, and in our last session we managed to record and film everything. It’s a very sweet, catchy little song!

I specialize in facilitating creative literacy projects that incorporate traditional language and cultural. You can contact me at info@rikleaf.com or call 250-896-2572

The post Celebrating Indigenous Creativity & Culture appeared first on Rik Leaf.

Creativity & Culture

 
ONYAT’A:KA – Oneida Nation of the Thames Celebrates Student’s Creativity & Traditional Culture

I just had an incredible week writing and recording songs and slam poetry with students at Standing Stone School at Oneida Nation of the Thames. Just under 100 students in four different classes wrote and recorded original songs, while 25 students did filmmaking and another 20 were in slam poetry. It was a celebration of creativity and Oneida traditional culture.

On Friday afternoon just before the end of the day, students poured out of their classrooms and we had this impromptu rock show moment in the hallway! Since we uploaded the video it’s been viewed 9.3K times!

Christmas Town

When I walked into the Grade 2 classroom I asked what type of song they’d like to write. “A Christmas song!” one little girl exclaimed. I asked what we should call it. “Christmas Town” another chimed in. By the time I could grab a marker and make my way to the white board the kids were off and running, calling out lyrics as I scrambled to write them down.

I grabbed my guitar and started to find a melody that would work with the lyrics. In four days we wrote the music, lyrics and melody together and recorded it. And honestly…it’s an amazing song!

Songwriting in Oneida

At the beginning of the week, I had an opportunity to get together with L:ao Antone, the Oneida language teacher, who graciously helped me work out some Oneida words that could be incorporated into the song I was writing with the kids. Creative and cultural literacy projects are an incredible opportunity to work together collaboratively to create something bigger than anyone person who is involved. This video is where we started on Monday…by Friday we were chanting at the top of our lungs in the hallway like we were at a rock concert!

Better Hold One

Another class had a poster on the wall that talked about the importance of honesty, friendship, respect and trust. I asked them for an example of what these words look like in their lives.

They started telling me about the new girl in their class, and how they wanted to make sure she was included and felt welcome. That story became the basis of our song lyrics. In between our sessions, the class worked together to act out the story on the playground, and in our last session we managed to record and film everything. It’s a very sweet, catchy little song!

I specialize in facilitating creative literacy projects that incorporate traditional language and cultural. You can contact me at info@rikleaf.com or call 250-896-2572

The post Creativity & Culture appeared first on Rik Leaf.

Oneida Pride

Oneida Pride – Students Celebrate Their Creativity & Culture

I just had an incredible week full of Oneida Pride as I worked with students at Standing Stone School at Oneida Nation of the Thames. Four classes were interested in songwriting, one wanted to do filmmaking and another did slam poetry. On Friday afternoon I commandeered the school PA system and started playing this song we’d written together over the intercom. The students all poured out of their classrooms and we had this impromptu rock show moment in the hallway!

When I walked into the Grade 2 classroom I asked what type of song they’d like to write. “A Christmas song!” one little girl exclaimed. I asked what we should call it. “Christmas Town” another chimed in. By the time I could grab a marker and make my way to the white board the kids were off and running, calling out lyrics as I scrambled to write them down.

I grabbed my guitar and started to find a melody that would work with the lyrics, as well as be in a good key for them to be able to sing. In four days we wrote the music, lyrics and melody together and recorded it. And honestly…it’s an amazing song!

At the beginning of the week, I had an opportunity to get together with L:ao Antone, the Oneida language teacher, who graciously helped me work out some Oneida words that could be incorporated into the song I was writing with the kids. Creative and cultural literacy projects are an incredible opportunity to work together collaboratively to create something bigger than anyone person who is involved. This video is where we started on Monday…by Friday we were chanting at the top of our lungs in the hallway like we were at a rock concert!

If you’re interested in booking creative or cultural literacy projects for your school contact me at info@rikleaf.com or call 250-896-2572

The post Oneida Pride appeared first on Rik Leaf.

Anti Bullying Project SETS’ANI (Be A Friend)

Anti-Bullying Project Chief Sunrise School, Northwest Territories

I want to tell you about the week I just spent with students from K’atl’odeeche First Nation at Chief Sunrise School producing an anti-bullying multi-media project. When we got together on Monday morning, all we had was a name, ‘SETS’ANI…the Slavey word that means, ‘be a friend.’ By the end of the week, we’d written and recorded an original song, created an encouraging and exciting game, coloured huge posters and produced a video. 

Day #1 – Brainstorming & Breakout Sessions

We started with a brainstorming session and compared our personal experiences. We found there was a lot of common ground when it came to how bullying made each of us feel. For our first breakout session, the kids came up with lists of nice words and mean words and we started making a list on the board.

I set up my camera and recording equipment in a quiet office space and some of the kids came in for a one-on-one interview. Their stories told in their words was the perfect beginning for our video.

One particular idea emerged when a little girl named Claudia described how her initial bullying experience led to a friendship. She concluded her story with, “now we’re BFF’s”

The phrase jumped out at me, and when I mentioned it to the teacher later that day, she told me they’d been using it in their anti-bullying strategy.

Be a good friend

Use a Friendly voice

Find a solution 

 

We started writing lyrics and BFF became a great refrain for the kids to sing/scream in the chorus.

Be a buddy, not a bully

A joke that hurts isn’t funny

Words can build us up big and tall

Or tear us down make us feel small

Day #2/3 – Creating A Game

On the second day, we created a game. The game starts with a stack of cards lying face down on the ground. There is one SETS’ANI card (printed in green) one card with a mean word on it (printed in black) and all the other cards have nice words on them. The kids coloured in the bubble letters of the nice words and we included the Slavey translation below, which was a great way to incorporate their traditional language. For the game, kids take turns picking up a card without showing anyone. When they flip them over, the person with the SETS’ANI card needs to ‘be a friend’ and take the mean word away and replace it with a nice word.

The game highlights how random and unfair bullying is, and how each of us has the right and responsibility to be a good friend and support those around us. The kids had fun taking the bad word away and tearing it up, stomping on it or crumpling it up…cause they knew they didn’t want to keep those bad words around to reuse them!

We wrote a song that had a simple little ‘oh-oh-oh’ part, and of course the big BFF crescendo. Throughout the project, the kids had lots of opportunities to be involved. Colouring the letters of the nice words, creating big BFF posters, being interviewed, singing, acting and playing the SETS’ANI game gave everyone an opportunity to work together. After they learned to play the game we started filming scenes in the classroom and on the playground, so the game was played in the actual environment where bullying often happens.

Day #4/5 Recording & Filming 

On Thursday and Friday, I set my portable recording equipment up in the classroom and we recorded a number of takes live off the floor. At the end of the week, I took the tracks into the recording studio and added some vocals and guitar. Once I was finished editing the video, I added a little music for the intro and the ending of the song to fit with the story we were telling. 

We ended up with a great finished product, and just as importantly, (in my humble opinion) had an amazing experience through the process.