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Rhoda Merkel

Discipline: Storytelling
Homebase: Atlin, BC
Languages: English
Grant Eligibility: Eligible to apply for AIC

Rhoda is a Wolf Clan member of the Tahltan Nation. She was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon. Her love for creating has been a lifelong passion inherited from her mother and grandmother and from the many ladies who were associated with Yukon Native Products. As an Artist she beads, sews First Nation regalia, tells First Nation stories, paints and writes. Rhoda applies her expertise to developing First Nation art-based curriculum, workshops and programs and to coordinating the Arts in Education -Yukon program; a program that hires artists to create art-based resources that teachers use to deliver core curricular requirements. Rhoda is a passionate promoter of art, specifically First Nation art, culture and artists. Her studio is in Atlin, B.C


Classroom Residency(ies)

Contact Me: (867) 335-1761, Email

First People's Stories - Storytelling Program

School Year: 23-24

Storytelling is a powerful way to convey abstract concepts while awakening the imagination. The program is designed to link to B.C. Curriculum's Big Ideas, specifically to the inclusion of First Nations ways of doing and knowing. It engages the whole body, is fun - which was the first peoples' way to teach. The First Peoples Stories -- Storytelling Program is designed to introduce, starting in Kindergarten up to Grade 9, the power of stories and how they shape our lives. The stories can be delivered to multiple grades at once. The stories told are native to the Yukon and Canada. All the Stories: -Create memorable art projects students will treasure for life. -Develop fine art skills, creative thinking competencies, and self awareness. -Can be illustrated into a book or a storytelling blanket or art projects listed -Are designed to be used cross-curricular. -Are ready to be dramatized to produce a storytelling festival (script, costumes, props, backdrop) Session layout - 4-Hour format: Hour 1: Telling the story interactively -- designing the art project Hour 2 and 3: Creating the art project Hour 4: Completing the art project and retelling the story creatively Preparation time: 3 Hours The supply cost varies based on the project chosen and are paid by schools.

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