Hi Brooke, tell me about yourself! What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?
I really don’t have a lot of spare time for myself these days because I’m in the middle of raising three kids and life is busier than ever. When I’m able to find some time here and there, I enjoy learning new piano music, cooking, baking, reading and being outdoors, enjoying nature. I truly enjoy creating art and am able to find the time in the summer months to relax and enjoy the artistic process on a personal level. I started a garden a couple of years ago and love watching my plants produce sustenance for my family, reminding me of my Grandma. She always had an amazing garden.
Tell me more about the importance of music in your life.
Music is such a wonderful part of life that has the ability to bring people together in community and shared experience. For me, nothing creates stronger bonds and embeds memories more than experiencing music with others. Music brings happiness, soothes sadness and comforts the soul. It evokes emotions and touches on the imagination. I also believe that people engage and relate best to all forms of learning through storytelling, and music is all about storytelling. My house is full of instruments and I work diligently with my children so that they have music for their whole lives. My oldest son plays the violin and guitar, my daughter plays the harp and percussion, and my youngest son is learning the guitar too. My husband is right in there, leading the family band with his violin, bass guitar and innovative, fun ideas. We are a musical family and when we all get together to make music, there is no greater joy!
What inspired you to work in education and music education?
I studied piano and theory for my childhood and teenage years while also spending time earning money through babysitting. I always found myself working with children in some capacity and so when I made my decision for university, music education felt like a natural fit. I was able to merge my desire to work with children and my love of music into my career. It has been challenging at times but knowing that I am bringing joy and making a difference in the lives of children and families has been greatly rewarding. I am currently working in the classroom and have merged into teaching the school choir as well as some extra-curricular music opportunities for students.
What makes Métis music unique?
Métis music is an incredibly unique and diverse collection of form and sound. I am still learning about our music and in my journey, and have discovered music sung in Cree, Michif, French and English. My husband and I were in Batoche, Saskatchewan this past summer and it was wonderful to watch and observe the skill, technique and energy of children competing in the jigging and fiddling competitions. What energy! There was a high level of importance placed on how the children learned. Every child was asked, “who first taught you how to jig or who taught you how to fiddle”. Every child credited and honoured the ancestor or knowledge-holders who shared with them.
When I taught music in a full-time years ago, I always felt that there was a gap in the availability of printed Métis music for educators. I am currently studying “Métis Songs – Visiting was the Metis way”, which is a compilation of music available through the Gabriel Dumont Institute. It is a dream of mine to create an authentically Métis compilation of songs for the music educator, but even more importantly, for our people. I am determined to carve out time to reimagine and record some of these musical treasures for our youngest citizens, so that they can learn our tunes, melodies and languages in their own homes. This is a work in progress for me!
Your work in the classroom has also focused on supporting newcomers to Canada. Can you speak a bit more about this?
I am in a special position to share an understanding of who the Métis are as a people and how our history is connected to the Canadian historical landscape. I believe it is vitally important for new Canadians to have an understanding of Canada that begins with the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. As a Métis educator, I have been able to share elements of Métis culture with all of my students. I am honoured to be able to share our stories and culture in a way that allows all learners to express themselves. All of my students have loved creating their own art using dots!
You and your husband run Métis Expression, an arts education company creating Métis-inspired lesson kits and classroom resources. How did this venture begin, and what has been most rewarding about the work?
Even though Métis Expression is a new business, it is a dream that is very old and has been waiting for the right time to emerge. There have been many, many discussions with Mike, my husband around our own business and he is a very important creative partner. He is a professionally trained artist and brings wonderful techniques and innovative ideas to the table. It is a huge bonus that he is also an educator, teaching art and technology to high school students. The most rewarding part of Métis Expression is that we get to be creative in partnership, while also being a part of cultural awareness and restoration for Métis citizens. Our kits are for everybody but knowing that we are part of a restorative process is what we are all about.
You’ve also served on the MNO Niagara Region Métis Council. Can you speak more about this community work?
I served on the Niagara Region Métis Council for several years and found my work with Council rewarding because it allowed me to give back to my community. Giving to others and living a life of reciprocity is the Métis way, and it is how I strive to live. It was also a wonderful way to get to know my community and to find a place where my own children can belong, growing up knowing who they are as Métis. I try to bring my kids to the MNO Annual General Assembly and these trips have been truly vital in connecting with Métis friends across the homeland. My kids are involved in the youth group through the Council and this has been a fulfilling time and a great opportunity to learn more about the Métis way of life with their friends.
What is the importance of education in your life?
As a full-time educator, with a husband who is also a teacher, and having 3 children in school, it seems like education is my whole life. Education is a powerful tool when working with all people. I realize how important my role is as an educator to help children understand the wrongs and injustices that were done to the Indigenous peoples of Canada. It is only through education and helping children build their capacity for justice and compassion that the wrongs of the past will not be repeated.
How has your Métis background had an impact on your life and how you think of yourself?
My Métis roots give me tremendous freedom. Freedom from uncertainty, from hiding and from fear. I live in the light and am so, so proud of my ancestors. My great, great, great grandparents, Jean Caron Sr. and Marguerite Dumas fought bravely and with courage in the Battle of Batoche. It is my absolute privilege to walk through this life as a Métis woman, and I strive to help others along the way.
What advice would you offer to a younger version of yourself or students currently battling through adversity?
Being female and also Indigenous ensures that adversity is an on-going challenge at time. Racism and bias appear in the most unexpected places sometimes. My parents raised me to find strength in the Creator and to always leans towards love rather than to let the weight of adversity overcome. For me, I have always persevered to overcome obstacles. My advice for young people would be to know who you are and to love yourself. In respecting yourself, you will have strength and the will to also help others. Also, find the people who are your friends and allies. We all need support systems in our lives and there are many wonderful people who want to walk beside you.