Bear Clan Entrance Dance 

This is a very special potlatch entrance song hosted by the Bear clan in Burns Lake B.C. as it was the Headstone feast for my late aunty Martha Crouse who also held a Hereditary Chief name. My aunty Martha had a heart of gold and was a great loss to our whole community as she was known as 'Burns Lake Mom' to many. Family, Friends, Hereditary Chiefs, and Honorary Guests participated in this two Headstone potlatch feast as another family member of the Bear clan also celebrated their loved one as well. Dancing in to the potlatch hall is started by spouses first then followed by children and grandchildren of the Bear clan who dress up, or wear blankets with money to help pay expenses. I am also taking part in this entrance dance as my Grandma, and Father are both from the Bear Clan. The potlatch system is a very strong cultural practice that I am proud to be apart of, and participate in from our Carrier Culture.
Mesiy - Thank you!

Classroom Totem Poles

I had fun creating a classroom totem pole as I introduced this topic by presenting a power point about a little bit on the history of totem poles, an also pictures of my uncle, Ron Austin who is a Master Carver from Hazelton, B.C. who recently carved a 28 foot totem pole in Moricetown, along with 2 other totem poles in Smithers for the North West Community College, and Smithers Secondary school.

In the classroom students were really engaged as I brought some visuals to the classroom such as carved items like a mask, and a painted drum that was designed by my uncle Ron. 

The activity of this lesson gave students a chance to implement their own stories by creating their own crest, and sharing about their culture, or favourite emblem. I was surprised how well this lesson turned out. One of my favourite story from a student was who made a native designed salmon that resembled his summer visits to Bella Coola with family. Another one was having a story that resembled two nationalities by being from Canada, and China then the students spoke about both cultural experiences. All were so creative in their own ways, and at the end all the students were happy to present their crests that built on itself in the classroom. I would definitely do this again in the classroom, and happy to share a cultural activity.

"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." ~Marcus Garvey ~ 

In sharing this quote, when it comes to our past history, origin, and culture there are many connections when it comes to Fine Arts such as our traditional singing, dancing, blanket making and craft making etc. Here is a picture of my first button blanket that I made, which was one of our major projects during our Carrier Language and Culture program in 2010. The images you see on button blanket that I have designed all mean something to me, and also resembles my cultural connections through fine arts. First, I wanted to have the shape of Roche de Boule Mountain which is the most beautiful mountain that overlooks Hazelton B.C. My connection to the mountain is I was born in Hazelton, and raised in Hagwilget by my late Grandmother; also my youngest brother is named 'Roche'. I wanted to implement the four colours: black (solid colour), red, yellow, and white to represent the medicine wheel when designing the mountain. Second, I wanted to add a print of the Eagle in the Coast Salish art design in which my uncle helped me design as he is a Master carver who designed a couple of prints, totem poles, and plaques. Third, I wanted to put one pearl shelled button after every ten to represent prayers.
Overall, the significance of this button blanket is very valuable to me as I have put my own designs into it that is connected to my past history, origin and culture of who I am. 

Thank you, 

Rosalie