On Friday, January 5th, Orchard Valley Waldorf School was delighted to welcome Michael Laughing Fox Charette to Grace Farm for a morning of indigenous storytelling and music with flute and drum.
Despite a chilly morning, the sun was streaming through the second grade classroom’s windows as the lower grades gathered for this special storytelling and musical experience brought to us free-of-charge by Scrag Mountain Music, thanks to a group of generous anonymous donors.
Adorned in orange and black with brightly colored embroidery and feathers in his headband, Michael Laughing Fox presented a message that “stories show us there are more things connecting us than disconnecting us.”
After introducing himself in his own language, and presenting the flag of the Red Cliff Band of the Lake Superior Ojibwe, Michael Laughing Fox first shared the story of the creation of the flute. Children were laughing at the story of the boy who thought he knew everything, and the “smart berries” that he got from his Grandmother. Little did he know that the berries were actually rabbit poop! From there, Michael Laughing Fox shared a flute song that was inspired by squirrels and the tale of Tailfeather woman, which showed that 2 warring nations can come together in peace. These messages have special importance in today’s world.
Bells jingling as he moved, Michael Laughing Fox showed the children how dance can be used to build spiritual energy, saying “Each step I take is like the heartbeat to mother earth.” Finally, the children were asked to participate in the performance during a rainstorm song, where the audience helped make the sounds of an approaching and waning rainstorm through snapping their fingers, slapping their legs, and stomping their feet.
After the performance, the children were able to look more closely at the flutes and drums, and ask questions. In total, 47 students and 6 adults were able to participate in the program thanks to the support of Scrag Mountain Music and donors. The 4th and 5th grade class wanted to share, “Their favorite story was the one about the "smart pills". They also liked the squirrel song and the story about the flute. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for his time.”
Kate Bennecker
OVWS Development Coordinator
