Fiddle Dancer

Description (Gabriel Dumont Institute): 
Fiddle Dancer tells the tale of  a young Métis boy, Nolin, and his growing awareness of his Métis heritage and identity while his “Mooshoom” or grandfather, teaches him to dance.  Authors Wilfred Burton and Anne Patton masterfully weave a childhood story rich in Métis culture and language.  This delightful story captures the importance of Elders as role models, a child’s apprehension at learning new things, and the special bond between grandparents and children.  Sherry Farrell Racette provides many beautiful illustrations for the book. 

Access a lesson plan created by the Gabriel Dumont Institute.

Creator Biographies (Strong Nations): 
Wilfred Burton is a Métis author originally from the area around Glaslyn, Saskatchewan. He has been a teacher since 1979. His first elementary teaching position was in La Loche, Saskatchewan. He has worked for many years with Regina Public Schools, GDI (SUNTEP) and is currently the Differentiated Consultant with Regina Public Schools. He is a graduate of the University of Regina, Saskatchewan Indian Federated College and the University of Victoria. Reading and jigging are his two loves. His first book Fiddle Dancer combines these two passions!

Born in St. Catharines Ontario. In 1963, Anne Patton was the first graduate of the brand new York University in Toronto. Anne followed a job out west to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where she fell in love with the wide open spaces of the prairies. For years she taught school in Regina, kindergarten to grade three. After retiring in 2000, Anne got a quick promotion to university and taught adults who were studying to be teachers. Anne took advantage of the long summer breaks to have adventures around the world. Recently she has embarked on a great new adventure: being a grandmother.

Dr. Sherry Farrell Racette (Native Studies and Women's and Gender Studies) is a scholar, writer, artist, curator and educator. Farrell Racette, an interdisciplinary scholar, has a background in art history, education, history, anthropology and native studies. Farrell Racette, who is of First Nations and Irish descent and a member of Timiskaming First Nation (an Algonquin community) in Quebec, has an active arts practice which includes painting and multimedia works, as well as illustrator work for a number of children’s books. In her research, Farrell Racette focuses on Métis and First Nations women’s history, and in particular, reconstructing indigenous art histories that recontextualize museum collections and reclaim women’s voices and lives.

Resource format: Picturebook

Age recommendation: Grade 2-6

Keywords: Dual language, Metis, New Years Eve, fiddle, hop, lively, Moushoom, tempo, comfort, learning from elders, visit, community dance, bannock, jigger, love, Koohkoom, legacy, pregnancy, womb, beat, rhythm, soothe, jig, dance, moccasins, John Arcand, difficulty, perseverance, learning, Metis Sash, Chi Galop, Red River Jig, proud, pride, heritage, Michif, Galette, bannock recipe, grandpa, grandfather, celebration

Year of publication: 2007

Publisher information: The Gabriel Dumont Institute