Michif Languages Oral History Project 1996 - Della Tanner

Michif-Lang-Proj_LRI_C-006_1996

Summary:

Don Fleury interviews Della Tanner of Binscarth, Manitoba.

Description:

The Michif Languages Oral History Project 1996 researched the oral history of the survivors of Ste. Madeleine who spoke Michif languages. Don Fleury interviewed seven elders for the project and gathered approximately 10 hours of audio. The dynamics and uniqueness of the languages became evident upon listening to the speakers. The speakers sometimes spoke both Michif Cree and Michif French and occasionally switched languages mid-conversation with ease. The interviews document the first time the Michif Cree language was identified and recorded in southwestern Manitoba.

Cultural Narrative:

Ste. Madeleine no longer exists physically today due to the forceful removal of the Métis from their lands to make way for community pasture for Euro-Canadian farmers. The survivors and families, many of which still live in nearby communities, return every year for Ste. Madeleine Days.

Transcription:

Tape 1 of 1 - Side 1

0:04 [Introduction in English] Born 1924, March, Ste. Madeleine

0:18 There were trees to cross the creek and he had me on his shoulders to cross. The trees were moving as we crossed. We were going to pick berries.

0:32 He sat down, then he fell on the ground. He grabbed me and he said me baby. I called my mom and she tried to give him water. He fell down dead. That's the first thing I remember about Ste. Madeleine.

1:24 She was always on the road. They came to get her. Sometimes they got here by dog sled or with a cutter. In the summer, some people had small cars.

3:02 I worked in Binscarth. I was 16, that picture with Marg was in Ste. Madeleine. I wasn't wearing glasses yet.

5:50 Married in Ste. Hubert church in Fouillard Town. Father Poulet was there. He came to say mass at Joe Bouchers. After they built the church there.

Tape 1 of 1 - Side 2

0:04 He rests for three days then takes four days off.

0:63 Old Fred Boyer and Tanners from Esterhazy, Saskatchewan are related.

0:79 Old Margaret, they're all first cousins. My kids, Eva's kids, Mary's kids, they are all over the place.

1:12 Grandpa was married four times. The first time he married a little Pritchard. The second time he married a little Boucher. The third time he married a little Dejarlais. The fourth time he married Aunt (Sister) Smith Fleury.

1:27 I think all his wives died from T.B.

2:04 I climbed the tree. The others were on the ground watching. I picked up 2 eggs and put my owl on the ground.

2:26 We had to kill squirrels to feed my owl. After that he went out and came to the door and came into the house. We killed rabbits to feed him. He came back all the time. Then one day, he didn't come back.

2:42 I had crows also, Mamma didn't like crows. They would come into the house and take anything and hide it outside. One time mom lost her glasses. I didn't have any crows after.

2:56 I had my dog sleigh. I had a dog named Goldie.

2:80 I never had a doll. All I ever had were my cats.

People:

Fleury, Don, Tanner, Della

Location:

Location Description:

Binscarth, Manitoba

Protocol:

LRI Open Access

Community:

Louis Riel Institute Archives

Category:

Language, Oral History

Keywords:

Ste. Madeleine, Michif French, Métis Displacement, Road Allowance Communities, Métis Communities

Collections:

Michif Languages Oral History Project 1996

Original Date:

1996 March 25th

Creator:

Louis Riel Institute

Contributor:

Fleury, Don, Tanner, Della

Language:

Michif French

Rights:

Citation:

Don, Fleury,, and Tanner, Della. "Michif Languages Oral History Project 1996 - Della Tanner." Louis Riel Institute. Louis Riel Institute Archives. Accessed 23 November 2024, lriarchives.ca/digital-heritage/michif-languages-oral-history-project-1996-della-tanner

Source:

Louis Riel Institute

Publisher:

Louis Riel Institute

Type:

Sound Recording

Format:

MP3