Mi’kmaq song, story, dance, and drumming with Julie Pellissier-Lush
The Basics
Julie Pellissier-Lush is the current Poet Laureate of Prince Edward Island. She writes, acts, and does photography to preserve the history and culture of the Mi’kmaq for future generations. In these videos, Julie shares a story, accompanied by song and drumming, tells us about her experiences in becoming a storyteller and a poet, and teaches us a Mi’kmaq Round Dance and accompanying song.
The story Julie tells for her performance video is the Mi’kmaq Story of Creation. A written version of this story can be found in Julie’s book Mi’kmaq Campfire Stories of Prince Edward Island.
In her teaching video, Julie teaches us the steps for a Round Dance or Circle Dance that might be performed at a gathering. The song that Julie teaches to be sung with the dance is known as “You-way-hi-ya.” At the end of the dance, everyone lifts their voices and hands to the sky and gives a big yell to let out all of their negative energy and have, as Julie tells us, a “clear heart, clear mind, and clean spirit” to go about the rest of your day.
Extension Activities
Julie’s book Mi’kmaq Campfire Stories of Prince Edward Island contains the “Creation Story” and many other traditional tales that can be explored as sound stories, inspiration for art, movement, and drama, or to create further connections for your learners.
Mi’kmaq hand drums are very special and meaningful to their owner, and each one is handmade. The ribbon skirt that Julie is wearing is also very meaningful. More resources for sharing and learning about Mi’kmaq culture are shared on the Oliver’s Song website.
About Julie
Julie Pellissier-Lush is an actress, and bestselling author of My Mi’kmaq Mother, Poet Laureate for PEI, recipient of the Queens jubilee medal in 2013, the Meritorious Service Medal recipient in 2017, and the Senate 150th anniversary medal in April 2019. She writes, acts, and does photography to preserve the history and culture of the Mi’kmaq for future generations. Julie wrote the poems for the play Mi’kmaq Legends in 2010 and they have been performed for the last 8 years on many different stages in the Atlantic region. It is her hope that this play will someday travel all over Canada and beyond so more people have the opportunity to learn about the rich Mi’kmaq history! Julie lives in PEI with her husband Rick, her five children, and her granddaughter Miah.
