Métis Roogaroo and Superstition Stories
A Special Edition of Folklore Magazine
Métis Roogaroo and Superstition Stories is a compilation of stories from members and friends of Gabriel Dumont Local 11, a Métis Local in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Most began as oral stories, presented over Zoom then transcribed, revised, and edited for this publication. Some participants were inspired and created new stories, plays, and artwork, some of which you will see here. For the Métis/Michif, storytelling is very important in validating experiences and nurturing relationships through shared knowledge. Our hope is that these stories inspire, entertain and resonate with readers, encouraging them to look for similar stories in their own lives.
Métis Roogaroo and Superstition Stories 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.