Lii Mimwayr Di Faamii (Family Memories)

A Special Edition of Folklore Magazine

Lii Mimwayr Di Faamii (Family Memories) seeks to preserve a wealth of knowledge to transmit to future generations and share between cultures. The compilation accomplishes this through personal stories that deal with concepts including significant historical events, family memories, and identity. Stories in this compilation allow readers to become more knowledgeable about historical Métis events such as the displacement of Métis on Road Allowances, the 60s Scoop, or the role of devout faith in the culture. They show the resiliency of the Métis throughout history. One may learn about the importance of grandparents, including their teachings and roles in the Métis family structure. These stories entertain and make readers giggle and cry. These memories are a way of sharing what has been witnessed and learned.

READ LII MIMWAYR DI FAAMII ONLINE

Lii Mimwayr Di Faamii (Family Memories) is a collaboration of oral histories between the Saskatchewan History & Folklore Society and Gabriel Dumont Local #11, a Métis Local in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The project stressed having Métis narratives directed and told by Métis people. Thus, the Gabriel Dumont Local #11 conducted the Zoom sessions, paid for the storytellers' honoraria, and worked with community members to turn the oral histories into written pieces. In turn, the SHFS paid to have the transcriptions recorded, hosted and laid out the stories in Folklore Magazine, and worked to disseminate the information to the larger public.

Reconciliation

As a history project directed by an Indigenous organization (i.e., Gabriel Dumont Local #11), this work relates to the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Call to Action Number 79 (ii). This Call speaks to "integrat(ing) Indigenous history, heritage values, and memory practices into Canada's national heritage and history." This project was a chance to publish Indigenous history in a format directed by Indigenous participants, in short, supporting Indigenous control and sovereignty over historical narratives. Promoting this approach is extremely important to the SHFS as a historical organization seeking a role that supports Truth and Reconciliation.