DVD to help keep Six Nations language alive (fwd)

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DVD to help keep Six Nations language alive

Susan Gamble
Monday, July 23, 2007 - 07:00
http://tinyurl.com/3cv93w

Local News - An accomplished storyteller and poetry-reader, Six Nations’
Mona Staats is clearly determined to leave behind more than just fading
memories of her voice.

Well-known for her public prayers in her native language, her readings of
Pauline Johnson’s poems and her telling of the legends and culture of the
Six Nations people, Staats -- now 79 -- has worked to create items of
substance that can continue to carry her message.

At age 75 she developed a book which she ensured was placed in local
libraries and schools. Paying for the book herself, Staats collected
chapters about the area clans, native remedies and directions on making
maple syrup. Each Six Nations school got a copy of Sago 2005 and it was
sold in the Chiefswood Museum. The book was updated in 2006.

Now, Staats using modern techniques to capture on DVD the poetry of Pauline
Johnson, the famed daughter of Chiefswood mansion -- now a museum on
Highway 54.

She was participating in the first taping session over the weekend, reading
poems in various suitable settings such as outside the museum and in a
20-foot canoe on the Grand River, provided by the local Aka:we Canoe Club.

“This is my project. It’s important because I’m going to distribute it in
the schools to help promote poetry and short-story writing.”

Once that’s done, the DVD will also be for sale to the general public.

Dressed in the traditional native outfit favoured by Pauline Johnson --
including a bear claw necklace -- Staats has recited poems such as The Song
My Paddle Sings, Bird’s Lullaby, Workworn and Lullaby of the Iroquois for
the video.

“This might complete my vision,” Staats said.

Through the years she has instructed groups in native ways ranging from food
and stories to games and dancing.

Thousands of people have passed through her cabin and sat by her fire. She
was nominated for The Expositor’s Citizen of the Year in 2002.

A diabetic, Staats said she is still in good health.

“I was at the doctor the other day and he said I have a lot of years ahead
of me yet,” said Staats. “I said ‘Write that down for me.’”