 Visit
ourveryownsongs.com
“A Real-Life Piped Piper”
Peter Mansbridge, CBC Newsworld
“In the morning that’s when
we’re mostly bad because we’re tired. When
we’re tired, we’re grumpy, but when Don came
in we were always happy. Everyone started showing up at
school”
Student at Sioux Valley School, Sioux Valley, Manitoba
“We’re particularly impressed
with Don’s work, especially with his ability to
connect with the students at their interest and maturity
level. Don has a special gift with children: he encourages
their voice, and in so doing, he affirms their humanity,
their gifts.”
Helen D. Armstrong, Ph. D. Brandon University
“He worked hard to get to know the
students and their interests. These conversations as part
of classroom activities formed the basis of the songs…truly
a collaborative effort of Don, students and teachers…celebrated
with a school wide assembly…an exciting and proud
moment for the students.”
Kathy Brigden, principle Betty Gibson School,
Brandon, MB.
“He entered our school carrying
a bundle of boundless energy, a joy for his work, and
enthusiasm for the talents contained in all the children.
Don supported the confidence, self-esteem, and creativity
of each child. His positive attitude, and genuine words
of praise allowed even the most timid of students a chance
to be part of an innovative musical process. I believe
that any school fortunate enough to have a visit from
Don Freed should jump at the chance!”
Nancy Dane, Principle Meadow School, Brandon, MB.
“During the culminating
concert the pride shown by the students, in their eyes and
their voices was very obvious…a tremendous success…parents
of students were invited, and more came than expected. I
attribute this to the positive comments and discussions
that went on in the student’s homes over the course
of the week. Mr. Freed has helped us to identify the fact
that an enthusiastic student is far more effective in developing
good public relations than anything else that we could possibly
attempt. I would recommend this opportunity to anyone”.
Mr. John Minshull, Principle King George School, Brandon,
MB.
From Dawson City to Manitoulin Island
and dozens of communities in between, from the large urban
centres to the smallest and most remote First Nations,
Métis singer/songwriter, Don Freed has a left a
legacy of song and story wherever he has ventured. He
has entertained and developed songs with pre-school classes
to university level over the last twelve years as a workshop
provider and cultural animator. As Don points out “For
thousands of years every culture on Earth sat around campfires
engaged in communal creativity, connecting the dots in
the sky, developing myths and legends to explain our presence
here and how we’re supposed to behave, and engaging
in communal catharsis when necessary. Now we sit around
looking silently at screens. But that creative filament
is still alive in all of us and especially in children
and that is what I work with. It’s really something
to witness a group of young people who have this experience
of self-discovery”.
Don Freed has worked his method with groups
as small as a handful of kids sitting beneath a tree in
a park to a classroom of forty to a young offenders facility
of 100. Everywhere he goes the response is the same; “Our
school attendance went up” say teachers. “…I
was surprised my students could stay focused so long”,
“…I saw kids smile and participate for the
first time”, “…my students have never
said good morning to me before now”, “…we’ve
had no suicide attempts since Don worked with our kinds
two years ago!”
This sounds like powerful stuff, and it
is; in today’s techno world it is important for
young people to connect with and have an experience with
something real and human. Don Freed provides this.
To date, Don has a repertoire of songs
in English incorporating seven First Nations Dialects.
The songs are universal while at the same time being localized,
they tell traditional and local legends and the exuberant
expression of young people.
The songs have been made into tapes, CD’s
and an illustrated book. Don prefers to perform in the
setting of an individual classroom as opposed to a gymnasium
stating that it’s important to make eye contact
with each child and have interaction. He also performs
in public libraries and makes himself available for cultural
camps, writing songs during the day and singing around
the fire at night.
Don insists that a teacher be present
at all times and a local dialect-speaking person, preferably
an Elder, be present if possible. (Many of the songs that
have been developed in workshop contain words in Michif,
Cree, Dene, Dakota, Ojibway, Kaska and Norther Tushone).
In the coming years Don hopes to produce a CD package
representing as many First Nations that he can mange to
get to.
Don asks that the teacher in whose class
he will be working in, engage their students in conversation
before he arrives to get an idea from them from which
they would like to make a song. When he arrives he will
also ask for any more ideas that might be considered,
and put them to a vote. He believes that the teacher should
engage the class for ideas because:
a) the teacher will know the students
better than he and what they are capable of and what their
interest are.
b) the teacher may be aware of local stories/legends that
the students might not be aware of.
c) Some students may simply be too shy even though they
have good ideas.
d) The students are more engaged if the teacher is as
well.
e) If time is a factor it would be better to not spend
a significant amount of it arriving at an idea.
After an idea has been decided upon, things
happen quickly. Don will fill chalkboards with details
given to him by students. Then a first line will be decided
upon, helping to set up the rhythm of the song. Don will
try various beats, tempos, keys, allowing the students
to select the one they think best suits their idea. Once
the song is completed it is then recorded and a copy made
for the class. If Don spends a week in school a concert
can be held in a gym or common area or local hall where
parents and community members are invited.
There have been schools that have produced
their own in-school recordings and books with illustrations
by students. These can be used in school for fund raising
events.
Don’s fees vary,
depending on the distances required to travel, please
email Nolan by clicking here for details. Air travel
and accommodations must be paid for as well as per diem
for meals. A mileage charge maybe added as well as GST in
off-reserve locations.
AND AT THE END OF THE DAY?
…you will have a legacy in your
school and in your community created by your newly inspired
and empowered young people. Don began this work in the
spring of 1993 in Northern Saskatchewan. After numerous
subsequent visits he has found…
“there’s a whole new generation
of kids now that have grown up with the songs that their
older siblings and cousins wrote years ago. I told those
older siblings and cousins that this would happen and,
thanks to the teachers and the local radio stations who
use recordings, it has! It’s a good thing all around,
no mistake about it.”
WHAT MATERIALS ARE NEEDED IN THE
CLASSROOM?
A flip chart with markers
Masking tape or sticky tack
A Blank Cassette with which to a copy of the song for the
class
…AND IF DON COMES TO YOUR SCHOOL TO JUST DO
PERFORMANCES?
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