NOTE: Ekala's diary ends off abruptly, with ripped and torn off pages. It is not clear as to what happens to Ekala. Some say she died and some say her diary had gotten stolen. There are many theories as to what happened to Ekala, but no one knows which one is right.
(By: Chinthuri Selvarajah)
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Nanjiba's References
TEXTBOOKS
Canada Revisited
WEBSITES
http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques_STU/Plaque_ThunderBay27.htmlhttp://www.google.ca/search?q=robinson+superior+treaty&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=nDl&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&prmd=ivns&tbs=tl:1&tbo=u&ei=o3lkTe7bNMSBlAes26mVBg&oi=timeline_result&ct=title&resnum=11&ved=0CGEQ5wIwCg
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/al/ldc/spc/nws/m-faq-eng.asp
IMAGES
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/news/docs/treaty1full.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/news/legation.html&usg=__tSB5XuxqYLst8-02PdqXjzH0QTM=&h=3021&w=2374&sz=1267&hl=en&start=0&sig2=LHxTyyl7RYEdSzCZM7QTCg&zoom=1&tbnid=hUYmb22LCyTEhM:&tbnh=105&tbnw=83&ei=xLJlTfSIEsH58Abzz_iSBw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtreaty%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1920%26bih%3D882%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=518&vpy=315&dur=2197&hovh=253&hovw=199&tx=106&ty=157&oei=xLJlTfSIEsH58Abzz_iSBw&page=1&ndsp=87&ved=1t:429,r:36,s:0
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/pla/ont/img/23500.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/pla/ont/ont19.htm&usg=__Prl3YerLjriLmwc1Eqs9WcUD968=&h=341&w=300&sz=51&hl=en&start=0&sig2=80CIET_-3K5krecLTuGw6A&zoom=1&tbnid=XiIcvbR4byyYyM:&tbnh=128&tbnw=113&ei=MPxqTZT0PML88AbD_pGZCw&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwomen%2Bmaking%2Bpemmican%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26gbv%3D2%26biw%3D1920%26bih%3D882%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=1607&vpy=180&dur=1171&hovh=239&hovw=211&tx=148&ty=191&oei=MPxqTZT0PML88AbD_pGZCw&page=1&ndsp=73&ved=1t:429,r:21,s:0
Diary #7
Dear Diary,
I am still very upset about the treaty and I really don’t want to depart from this place. However I have no choice. I wish……...............
Ekala (Nanjiba Kabir)
Ekala (Nanjiba Kabir)
Diary #6
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| A Written Treaty |
I woke up to the sounds of whispers at the night. I had put on a light shawl to keep my body warm from the chilly weather. I got out of the teepee and stood around the corner to get a clear hearing of the conversation. I normally don’t eavesdrop, but I was so intrigued with this treaty thing. I just had to know what was going on. I knew that this discussion might have not been about this topic and I knew if Mother found me here, she would have been extremely disappointed. Although I took a risk.
As I listened in the dark, I realized it was about the treaty after all. I later gathered many shocking news. Most of it was so hard to take it all in. A treaty was an agreement taken between two people. It was something both of the parties promised each other, I inferred from it. The discovery of many valuable resources on the shore of Lake Huron and Lake Superior had led the government to take title of our land. The lands in the Lake Superior watershed had also interest them. There were actually two treaties signed by Chief Louis Riel and the Crown. I had already knew the Métis, would give up their land, but I didn’t know it was exchange for reserves. We were also promised to be given the right to hunt and fish on this land, after it was being taken away from us.
I had finally, gained a full understanding of the treaty and the situation that we were being put through, which I wish I hadn’t. I was so much more worried now, than I was before. I just couldn’t figure out why Chief Louis Riel would give away this land. Many people had spent their childhood and practically their life here. The annual hunt, the camp fire and the many other memorable events were all held in this place. This land was treasure itself without the valuable minerals to some of us. I had gone back to the tepee and lay down on the bed fur until I drifted to sleep.
Dairy #5
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| Mother working to supply fur trade companies with pemmicans |
I had woken up early to help my mother supply the fur trade companies with pemmican. My mother would later teach me how to weave. There was a long day ahead of me. As I was getting ready, I wore my favourite cotton dress. It was decorated with beadwork and a brightly woven sash on the waist. My grandmother had weaved it for me. While I was putting on my brand new moccasin and headband, I heard my mother yell out my name.
I went directly to her, but was tremendously shock to see my father. I was about to approach him, but a word from my father’s mouth slipped. “Treaty”. This caused me to restrain from going any further. It had been a while now, that I’ve thought about it. All of a sudden I had a worried expression on my face and I could feel all sorts of shivers in my body. Worrying is a habit of mine that is hard to stop. The more I taught of this, the more complex it got.
When my parents finally noticed I was standing around the corner, my father came in to hug me. After that, my mother wanted me to help her with the pemmican. As I was helping her, I was deep into my thoughts. What was treaty anyway? Why was it such a huge deal? At last, I had gotten the courage to ask my mother. But she ignored my question and told me to go take a break. I got up and went to my grandmother’s teepee.
She was pleased to see me and told me to take a seat next to her. She then began to tell one of her famous stories. I would usually be excited, but today I wasn’t. I guess she become aware of it, because her next sentence was “Are you okay Ekala?” I immediately had asked her what a treaty was. She didn’t give me an answer either.
Ekala (Nanjiba Kabir)
Udari's References
Book(s):
Canada Revisited
Website(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Riel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9tis_people_(Canada)
Image(s)
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.kumeyaay.info/california_indian_artists/Authentic_Aboriginal_Art.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.kumeyaay.info/shumupkohup/&usg=__svAN1xATAKWhzoKqpVD1WdgIKxA=&h=355&w=438&sz=49&hl=en&start=28&sig2=I_8DdFR-RZPfgg6Bdkv9Mg&zoom=1&tbnid=3U95Mea2yuyJJM:&tbnh=146&tbnw=182&ei=DatlTcWOGZLe4gbPhPnGCA&prev=/images%3Fq%3DAboriginal%2Bpottery%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1003%26bih%3D621%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=141&oei=AKtlTfTFDIa0lQfQ44mqBg&page=3&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:28&tx=167&ty=41
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.delphinium.co.nz/FamilyPics/quiltpics/aboriginal%2520wallhanging.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.delphinium.co.nz/QuiltGallery1.html&usg=__PALTKYF6Tu4Oo-dBletrylRNihA=&h=367&w=300&sz=61&hl=en&start=0&sig2=kY3376z5sCQM6OMMkTEraw&zoom=1&tbnid=MB7g3JIYcG8ztM:&tbnh=142&tbnw=133&ei=8atlTb6aJoK8lQe1_YSFBg&prev=/images%3Fq%3DAboriginal%2Bquilts%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D712%26bih%3D604%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=719&oei=8atlTb6aJoK8lQe1_YSFBg&page=1&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&tx=55&ty=87
Canada Revisited
Website(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Riel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9tis_people_(Canada)
Image(s)
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.kumeyaay.info/california_indian_artists/Authentic_Aboriginal_Art.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.kumeyaay.info/shumupkohup/&usg=__svAN1xATAKWhzoKqpVD1WdgIKxA=&h=355&w=438&sz=49&hl=en&start=28&sig2=I_8DdFR-RZPfgg6Bdkv9Mg&zoom=1&tbnid=3U95Mea2yuyJJM:&tbnh=146&tbnw=182&ei=DatlTcWOGZLe4gbPhPnGCA&prev=/images%3Fq%3DAboriginal%2Bpottery%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1003%26bih%3D621%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=141&oei=AKtlTfTFDIa0lQfQ44mqBg&page=3&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:28&tx=167&ty=41
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.delphinium.co.nz/FamilyPics/quiltpics/aboriginal%2520wallhanging.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.delphinium.co.nz/QuiltGallery1.html&usg=__PALTKYF6Tu4Oo-dBletrylRNihA=&h=367&w=300&sz=61&hl=en&start=0&sig2=kY3376z5sCQM6OMMkTEraw&zoom=1&tbnid=MB7g3JIYcG8ztM:&tbnh=142&tbnw=133&ei=8atlTb6aJoK8lQe1_YSFBg&prev=/images%3Fq%3DAboriginal%2Bquilts%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D712%26bih%3D604%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=719&oei=8atlTb6aJoK8lQe1_YSFBg&page=1&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&tx=55&ty=87
Diary #4
Dear Diary,
I hoped that today would be even better then yesterday although it’d be very hard considering the new moccasins and headband Mother sewed for me the night before, but it definitely was.
My day started of with playing games with my brother, sister and other Métis children like horse racing, boxing and even wrestling . We later decided to go into the woods to do some archery where I oddly had perfect aim but the fun had to be cut short as it started to rain. While we remained inside we played various card games, competitive chess, checkers and dominoes to pass the snail-paced time. Although the fear of the rain continuing we tried shifting our attention to making pottery to keep us occupied.
Thankfully the rained stopped just in time surprisingly not only were the families in our cabin there but the entire Métis tribe along with our chief Louis Riel who looked as if he had enjoyed the camp fire as much as everyone else. We ate shared pemmican with each other as well as potatoes, onions and turnips from the homemade garden behind our teepee.
As the night went on the chanting of hymns began along with the traditional Red River jig where it would challenge dancers to keep up with the beat of the fiddler but also have separate contests for the musicians as well which range from the young all the way to the elders. Later was when my favourite part of the entire night began; Grandmother was the first to tell a story which I’ve heard before but one that I’ll never get tired of hearing.
I hoped that today would be even better then yesterday although it’d be very hard considering the new moccasins and headband Mother sewed for me the night before, but it definitely was.
My day started of with playing games with my brother, sister and other Métis children like horse racing, boxing and even wrestling . We later decided to go into the woods to do some archery where I oddly had perfect aim but the fun had to be cut short as it started to rain. While we remained inside we played various card games, competitive chess, checkers and dominoes to pass the snail-paced time. Although the fear of the rain continuing we tried shifting our attention to making pottery to keep us occupied.
Thankfully the rained stopped just in time surprisingly not only were the families in our cabin there but the entire Métis tribe along with our chief Louis Riel who looked as if he had enjoyed the camp fire as much as everyone else. We ate shared pemmican with each other as well as potatoes, onions and turnips from the homemade garden behind our teepee.
As the night went on the chanting of hymns began along with the traditional Red River jig where it would challenge dancers to keep up with the beat of the fiddler but also have separate contests for the musicians as well which range from the young all the way to the elders. Later was when my favourite part of the entire night began; Grandmother was the first to tell a story which I’ve heard before but one that I’ll never get tired of hearing.
-Ekala (Udari Premachandra)
Aboriginals Dancing
Aboriginal Arts and Crafts
Diary #3
Dear Diary,
Today was quite an exciting day although the extreme heat of the summer really made it hard to enjoy. The annual buffalo hunt took place today so while Father and the other men were running the buffalo Mother, I and other women and girls my age got ready to make the pemmican. As the men rode the buffalo they went plummeting off the cliff which made this year the biggest harvest we've ever had but it also meant more work for us.
This afternoon we dried the meat and then cut it up into pieces but only the extras Father would trade at the trade posts tomorrow. From the skin we made many needed clothes such as leggings, jackets, bags and headdresses as I’ve out-grown most of mine but all the surplus hide was going to be traded. What makes our people's clothing so distinctive from the other tribes is the floral beadwork, the multi-use Metis Sash and the colourful but meaningful colours. The rest of the buffalo might be used to make cutlery, cooking pans, knives and blankets and any other essentials that are needed would be traded with our buffalo.
Later today I decided to practice on my sewing skills and make a traditional quilt for my younger sister but it then led me to begin painting a portrait of our buffalo hunt. After, Grandmother came over and told us about old legends and myths like how the kangaroo got his tail and why chipmunks have stripes. As long as I've none these stories they've never changed but its the meaning that captivates my attention which is why these stories have been around for so long as well as been passed along generations.
The last thing I did before I ate dinner today was speak with the Spirits so I can hopefully live a balanced lifestyle. We Aboriginals believe that humans and animals are equal and also we perceive ourselves as “servants” of nature. I can’t wait until tomorrow, we and the other families that live in the neighbouring teepee’s are planning to have a camp fire with singing, dancing and my favourite part, stories!
Today was quite an exciting day although the extreme heat of the summer really made it hard to enjoy. The annual buffalo hunt took place today so while Father and the other men were running the buffalo Mother, I and other women and girls my age got ready to make the pemmican. As the men rode the buffalo they went plummeting off the cliff which made this year the biggest harvest we've ever had but it also meant more work for us.
This afternoon we dried the meat and then cut it up into pieces but only the extras Father would trade at the trade posts tomorrow. From the skin we made many needed clothes such as leggings, jackets, bags and headdresses as I’ve out-grown most of mine but all the surplus hide was going to be traded. What makes our people's clothing so distinctive from the other tribes is the floral beadwork, the multi-use Metis Sash and the colourful but meaningful colours. The rest of the buffalo might be used to make cutlery, cooking pans, knives and blankets and any other essentials that are needed would be traded with our buffalo.
Later today I decided to practice on my sewing skills and make a traditional quilt for my younger sister but it then led me to begin painting a portrait of our buffalo hunt. After, Grandmother came over and told us about old legends and myths like how the kangaroo got his tail and why chipmunks have stripes. As long as I've none these stories they've never changed but its the meaning that captivates my attention which is why these stories have been around for so long as well as been passed along generations.
The last thing I did before I ate dinner today was speak with the Spirits so I can hopefully live a balanced lifestyle. We Aboriginals believe that humans and animals are equal and also we perceive ourselves as “servants” of nature. I can’t wait until tomorrow, we and the other families that live in the neighbouring teepee’s are planning to have a camp fire with singing, dancing and my favourite part, stories!
-Ekala (Udari Premachandra)
Traditional Clothing
Traditional Quilt
Aboriginal Stories
Chinthuri's References
Book(s):
Arnorld, Phyllis, Penney Clark, Ken Westurland .Canada Revisited. Edmonton, Alberta: Arnold Publishing Ltd., 2000
Website(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9tis_people_(Canada)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Riel
http://www.metisnation.ca/who/index.html
Images:
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Arnorld, Phyllis, Penney Clark, Ken Westurland .Canada Revisited. Edmonton, Alberta: Arnold Publishing Ltd., 2000
Website(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9tis_people_(Canada)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Riel
http://www.metisnation.ca/who/index.html
Images:
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Diary #2
Dear Diary,
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| My Favourite Dress |
I woke up in my teepee and I put on a new dress before I went out. My Mother sewed the dress. It is beautiful and is delicately covered with beads. It is also one of my favourite dresses. I pulled on my old, worn out moccasins and got to work.
Today I mended the fish nets and weaved baskets. It is not very hard for me, so it did not take too long to finish. After I finished doing my chores, I watched the children play together in the woods. They looked so happy like they had no care in the world. I wish I was like that as it would be nice not to worry once in a while. Our lives are so peaceful and I hope nobody disrupts it. Throughout the day I could not forget about what I overheard. All of the women were talking about it in low whispers so nobody would hear.
I wanted to get my mind off the treaties, so I started to paint. I made a painting of my family. I love them very much and I do not want anything to happen to them. I wanted to show my Grandmother my painting and talk to her about the the treaties, so I walked over to her teepee. Strangely she was not in there and she was usually always there in the evening. I wonder where she went.
I went back to my teepee and began to make dinner and forgot all about my Grandmother. For dinner we had some bread and soup. Once the whole family ate dinner the little children including me, were told to go to sleep. I knew they were going to talk about the treaties, but I knew I was not allowed to listen. I hope it is not as serious as they make it seem. I wish they would tell me what was going on. I hope tomorrow will be a better day.
-Ekala
(By: Chinthuri Selvarajah)
Diary #1
Dear Diary,
Today I helped my Mother make pemmican out of a buffalo that my Father hunted a few months ago. My Mother is starting to teach me the responsibilities of being a women. I now have to know how to cook, sew clothes and many other things.I'm so exhausted by all of it. I wish didn't have to learn so many things. Sometimes I just want to go out and play with the kids and enjoy the weather, but I know I cannot.
When I finished making pemmican, I went over to my Grandmother's teepee. She welcomed me in and I went and sat next to her on the ground. I told her how I feel about adulthood and growing up. She understood and said she did not like it either when she was my age, but now she is happy she learned all those things. I felt better right away knowing that it was normal to feel like this. I spent a few more minutes talking to my Grandmother and then I had to leave because it was almost dinner time.
When I got home, my Father had already came back from the fur trade post. Once we got everything set, we all ate dinner together and talked about our day. For dinner we had fish that we hunted and potatoes and corn that we grew. The meal was delicious. I am thankful for the food, clothes and my home that we have. I am getting ready to go to bed now. I pray that tomorrow will be just like today. Goodnight Diary.
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Our Teepees |
Today was a normal day. I think I like normal because nothing bad ever happens on a normal day.
So while the men including my Father went to work, the women and children stayed at home as usual. Almost all the men and women had to work to support themselves and their families. My Mother and most of the other women in the tribe made pemmican (dried meat blended with fat) for the fur trade companies. My family and I live in teepees now, but because of the coming cold winters we will move into a log cabin.
So while the men including my Father went to work, the women and children stayed at home as usual. Almost all the men and women had to work to support themselves and their families. My Mother and most of the other women in the tribe made pemmican (dried meat blended with fat) for the fur trade companies. My family and I live in teepees now, but because of the coming cold winters we will move into a log cabin.
It is near summer now and the entire tribe is getting ready for the annual buffalo hunt. During the buffalo hunt, the men ride horses while the rest of the tribe travels in Red River carts. When my Father kills a buffalo, my Mother and I would cut it immediately and take the important parts of the animal for food. We got many things out of this buffalo hunt such as, the meat was eaten or made into pemmican. My Father always trades the extras. We used the fur to make clothes and blankets.
Today I helped my Mother make pemmican out of a buffalo that my Father hunted a few months ago. My Mother is starting to teach me the responsibilities of being a women. I now have to know how to cook, sew clothes and many other things.I'm so exhausted by all of it. I wish didn't have to learn so many things. Sometimes I just want to go out and play with the kids and enjoy the weather, but I know I cannot.
When I finished making pemmican, I went over to my Grandmother's teepee. She welcomed me in and I went and sat next to her on the ground. I told her how I feel about adulthood and growing up. She understood and said she did not like it either when she was my age, but now she is happy she learned all those things. I felt better right away knowing that it was normal to feel like this. I spent a few more minutes talking to my Grandmother and then I had to leave because it was almost dinner time.
When I got home, my Father had already came back from the fur trade post. Once we got everything set, we all ate dinner together and talked about our day. For dinner we had fish that we hunted and potatoes and corn that we grew. The meal was delicious. I am thankful for the food, clothes and my home that we have. I am getting ready to go to bed now. I pray that tomorrow will be just like today. Goodnight Diary.
- Ekala
(By: Chinthuri Selvarajah)
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| The Buffalo Hunt |
Introduction
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| The Metis Flag. |
One of my biggest inspirations is my Grandmother. I go to her for answers and wise advice because she is intelligent and will always have a special place in my heart. I even started this diary because my Grandmother told me she had once had one too, when she was my age. Both my Mother and my Father are French which means I am Roman Catholic. I have an older brother, younger brother and a younger sister. My Father is a hunter and works at the fur trade post.
During the day, I spend much of my time in our garden which is behind our teepee, where we grow fruits and vegetables. The leader of our tribe is Louis Riel and he is always telling me that I worry too much, but I think it is good to worry and think about the future, although sometimes I do get tired of being worried.
I wish I could write in my diary everyday but I have responsibilities which prevents me from doing so but I will try my best to write in my diary as much as I can.
- Ekala
(By: Chinthuri Selvarajah, Udari Premachandra, Nanjiba Kabir)
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