Who We Are

 

The Manitobah Storyboot School is a national charitable organization offering education and training in traditional Indigenous arts. We share these teachings in an effort to keep our traditions alive, to support Indigenous artists and to inspire future generations.

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What We Do

 

The Storyboot School provides instruction in the crafting of cultural works of art (primarily mukluk and moccasin-making) in timeless traditional ways. Our workshops are offered virtually and in-person.

 

Classes are lead by Indigenous instructors, often community elders or artists passionate about sharing their gifts with students, helping them to create unique artistic pieces. Our programming inspires youth to build confidence, achieve excellence and strengthen cultural ties through hands-on learning. The Storyboot School creates an income for instructing artists while educating the next generation, who may one day become Storyboot artists themselves.

 

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Our Vision
 

We are working to shape a vibrant future for our people that’s rooted in tradition. We hope to see all people benefit from the knowledge of our ancestors and preserve our heritage through education and artistic expression.

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Our Mission

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Storyboot School training and education focuses on cultural diversity, identity, and the accumulated teachings of our Indigenous ancestors. Workshop content is built around the sharing of traditions, customs, protocols, values, spirituality, ceremonies, language, ways of knowing and being, and connections to the land and the life-sustaining resources it provides.

 

At the Storyboot School, we believe that culture permeates all aspects of life and is essential to the overall well-being of Indigenous communities and individuals.

 

The Storyboot School fosters an environment of empowerment by creating a safe, inclusive and respectful space where participants can explore the essence of who they are, who they belong to, where they come from, and how they relate to one another. Through the six- or eight-week programs, Storyboot School workshops build self-esteem, personal skills and connect participants to Indigenous culture.

 

Importantly, Storyboot School also serves as an experiential forum, uniting all members of the community to connect, create, share and learn from one another in an environment that inspires laughter and good will. All that participate are given the opportunity to engage with artists, Elders and peers in a meaningful way that fosters cross-cultural sharing and reconciliation.

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History

 

Mukluks and moccasins have been worn for thousands of years. Through the generations, they have become an intricate and beautiful art form, demanding patience and skill. Their creation is a time-honoured tradition that tell stories of language, history and place.

 

Reciprocity has always been at our root. The Manitobah Storyboot School was established in 2013 by Metis founder of Manitobah Mukluks; Sean McCormick. Manitobah Mukluks respectfully borrowed the talents, tools and techniques of countless generations of grandmothers, mothers and daughters and applied that knowledge toward building a viable social enterprise. In an effort to repay the debt to our ancestors for contributing to Manitobah Mukluks’ success, the Storyboot School was born.

 

The Storyboot School has since grown to become a national charitable organization with classes taking place in public schools, universities, cultural institutions and on First Nations across Canada. An estimated 1200 participants have graduated from our programming, and the number of requests continues to grow from coast to coast. Through the utilization of virtual courses, we intend to reach thousands more from around the word.