The Talking Stick. Val Moker. Grade 4-6

Transcription

1 The Talking Stick Val Moker Grade 4-6 Subject: Topic: Language Arts Communication Descriptive Sentence Students will design, create, and use a Talking Stick, representative of the First Nation s people (Note: Each band has a specific style of Talking Stick in terms of materials used, methods of attachment and significance of placement). Curricular Outcome or Expectation Please see the lesson plan preview for the expectations/outcomes for your province. Materials Sticks which are 30 cm long and one cm in diameter, feathers, elastics, tape, beads, cut ribbons of four different colours, scraps of fake fur, black pen. First Nation s Symbols and Student Information Sheet are included at the end of the lesson. Space Requirements Classroom Complete Description of Lesson Getting Ready Ask the students to gather together in a circle and pose the question: What is a conversation? How do we know when to talk and when to listen? Initiate a discussion on the value of every person s input in a conversation. Talk about ways to have a conversation where all have a right to speak and to listen. Introduce the Talking Stick. Discuss how and why it is used. The Talking Stick was commonly used by First Nation s people in council circles to designate who had the right to speak. When important matters needed to come before the council, the leading elder would hold the Talking Stick and begin the discussion. The stick was then passed to whoever wished to speak next. In this way, the stick was passed from one person to another until all who wished to speak had done so. The Talking Stick was considered to hold spiritual powers passed on by ancestors. Whoever held the Talking Stick held the sacred power of words and spoke with an open heart and an open mind. 1

2 All other council members remained silent and were listeners. Often, an Answering Feather was used. It would be passed to the person wishing to respond to the main speaker. The most important thing to remember when using the Talking Stick is that everyone has knowledge and experiences worth sharing and that we need to respect the words of others no matter who they are. The Talking Stick was decorated to show the individual s ancestry, spirituality and accomplishments. It is an expression of a person as an individual. Discuss the ways that people can be grouped to have a discussion or conversation. They usually face each other so they can look at each other. If there are more than two people, usually a small circle is formed. First Nation s people regarded the circle as the principal symbol for understanding life s mysteries. It is everywhere in nature. Look at pictures of the Earth, Sun, Moon and planets which are all round. The sun rises and sets in a circular motion, the seasons form a circle, birds build their nests in circles and animals mark their territory in circles. Discuss other ways that the circle is significant in nature and in our lives. E.g. the medicine wheel, the concept of infinity, a ring such as a wedding band. Brainstorm and select five (5) important issues/topics as a class (e.g. Bullying, Health, Friends, Family, War/Peace). Now create flashcards for each issue so that they may be used repeatedly over the coming weeks. Select a flashcard for the day. Ask the students to begin a discussion on this topic. Think about how we know who wants to speak. Often a hand is raised. What is everyone else doing when the speaker is talking? Discuss the role of the listener. Recall the discussion of the use of the Talking Stick by the First Nation s people. If possible, show an example of a Talking Stick. Notice the different parts of the talking stick and discuss the meaning (see explanation on Student Information Sheet). Develop Tell the students that they will now make their own personal Talking Stick. Explain that the materials they will be using will be a stick, feathers, ribbons, beads and fur. Ask them to think about how they could assign meaning to the different materials. Each student should have a buddy who can help them when the time comes to attach all of the materials to the stick. To assist the students with this task, distribute the Student Information Sheet. Carefully review the significance of each material to be used in the project. Be sure to allow time for each section to be completed as this sheet acts as a design for the completed project. 2

3 Application Distribute the materials to make the Talking Stick. As this is being done, discuss the significance of each material used. Please take a moment to review the Creating a Talking Stick Slide FEATHERS Feathers represent the caregivers in each student s life. The feathers that are placed up are those people who are in the students life at this time. This could be parents, other relatives, or any person who looks after them in a significant way. The feathers placed downwards represent caregivers who have passed away. Feathers are attached to the stick using masking tape, placed carefully in an up or down position. RIBBONS Each of the four coloured ribbons represents different parts of the students life. Ribbon#1 represents siblings (brothers and sisters). Ribbon #2 represents achievements. Ask the students to look at all aspects in their lives when completing the achievement section. We all accomplish different types of successes every day and they don t have to be grandiose. Even the smallest accomplishment is worthy of a place on your Talking Stick. Ribbon #3 represents personal goals. These can be long or short-term goals that the students set for themselves. Ribbon #4 represents the hardships or struggles that they have overcome. This might be difficult for some students, depending on the traumas they have faced in their lives. This section may need some personal talking time. BEADS The beads are the counters for each topic they represent the number of siblings, achievements, goals and hardships overcome. A knot is made at the end of each ribbon and the appropriate number of beads is threaded onto each ribbon. The ribbons are then taped onto the stick and then secured with elastic bands to represent sinew (strips of muscle cut up and used by First Nations People a long time ago). Note: it may be easier to have a helper give out the required number of beads to each student. FUR Some First Nations People believe that rabbit fur represents honesty, it is often tied to the end of the stick (Note: we will be using fake fur). 3

4 SYMBOLS Please take a moment to review the First Nations Symbols Slide Each talking stick is also personalized through the use of symbols. See the Symbol sheet for translations. These symbols are placed on the stick using a black felt or ink pen. Working from their student information sheet, the students can now create their own Talking Stick. Closure Have each student orally present their Talking Stick and explain the significance of the various materials used. Select one stick from the class set. Select one of the flash cards and then ask the students to sit in a circle and use the Talking Stick to discuss the topic. Whoever holds the stick is to speak from the heart on the subject or issue in question. The other students are not to speak or to think about what they are going to say but should concentrate on the words of the speaker, seeking to understand. When it is their turn to speak, they can trust that the right words will come out. This process may be repeated on a regular basis over the coming weeks selecting a different Talking Stick each time. Have I forgotten to hear the whispers on the Wind and acknowledge my fellow creatures as they seek to enlighten me? ~Jamie Sams Please take a moment to review the Reflection Video 4

5 STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET The talking stick was considered to have spiritual qualities that called up the spirit of their ancestors to guide them in making food decisions. The stick ensured that all members who wished to speak had their ideas heard. All members of the circle were valued equally. Feathers up --- caregivers in your life Feathers down --- caregivers who have passed away Ribbon #1 (colour) Siblings Ribbon #2 Achievements in your life 1) 2) 3) Ribbon #3 Personal Goals 1) 2) 3) Ribbon #4 Hardships/Struggles you have overcome 1) 2) 3) 5

6 Horse Journey Bear Track Good Omen Man Human Life Sun Rays Consistency Lasso Captivity Thunderbird Bearer of Happiness Unlimited Crossed Arrows Friendship Arrow Protection Rattlesnake Jaw Strength Headdress Ceremonial Dance Butterfly Everlasting Life Coyote Tracks Rain Clouds Good Prospects Lightening and Lightening Arrow Swiftness Days and Nights Time Big Mountain Abundance House of Water Fence Guarding Good Luck Enclosure for Ceremonial Dance Eagle Feathers Chief Warding Off Evil Spirits 6