Indigenous storytellers visit UGDSB

January 22, 2018

GUELPH, Ontario – Several Upper Grand DSB classes in Guelph and Orangeville had the opportunity to hear from Indigenous storytellers, Isaac Murdoch and Caitlin Bill in January.

Murdoch is an Ojibway from the fish clan of the Serpent River First Nation. He spent many years in northern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba learning from Elders. Murdoch has been a highly respected storyteller for several years and has visited UGDSB classrooms for the past four years. Bill is a Nêhiyaw Mother from Cacakewsâkahikan, Saskatchewan.

Murdoch and Bill made a great impression on the students that heard their stories. A grade 7 student from Island Lake PS said, “What surprised me was how fun he made his visit with games, a real story, and how respectful he was with everyone, letting their jokes go by…he was really truthful for what he was saying all the time.”

Stories touched on environmental and social justice issues and by the end of each visit had students really thinking about societal issues and Indigenous teachings.

Categories: Spotlight On Schools