History & Winston

Winston & Fred sing

## Plot

Fred climbs out of the log with 'hi, how are you?' before saying he saw a bird on the way over, and it reminded him of a bird feeder he left at the hut a while ago. He shows the pinecone/peanut butter feeder hanging up at the hut before going on a bird's nest hunt. He gets a chair for a closer look, but explains to never touch a nest you see. He compares the delicateness of the eggs to having a baby brother or sister. Back at the hut he shows a bird house he built, deciding to put it by the log to take home. He reminds everyone that we must be careful with delicate things, including people's feelings. He sings 'Be Gentle, Robin'. Fred reminds us that its important to care for pets, before telling about a few of his own pets. He then sings about animal sounds in French, doing the first 3 verses, before repeating the first verse in English. Fred begins doing exercises and takes some deep breaths. Winston calls out in Cree as he climbs through the log. Fred asks what he said, and Winston says he called him 'brother-in-law'. Fred questions this and Winston says he wishes they were. Winston says he's been exercising his brain as he's been travelling across Canada meeting people. They both agree about how important it is to share stories and songs. Word bird calls out and Fred shows that the word says 'story', but then unfolds more letters spelling 'history'. He explains history and then tells some of his history from Manitoba. Winston talks about his grandfather sharing history in a powwow. Fred asks if they can have a powwow, and Winston says yes with some imagination, so they head to a more natural spot. Winston greets some of the plants as spiritual family members. Winston talks about a song he can teach Fred from the Daneda (language?) of the Northwest Territories about beautiful land, strong people and being blessed looking after the land, before telling Fred the lyrics. Winston says they need to pretend they are paddling a canoe as they sing 'He Nana Ho Ho'. Fred comments on the importance of nature. Winston shares about his son Stefan's canoe trip from Edmonton to Quebec City, having stopped to visit Winston. They asked God to be with him and allow him to hear with a spiritual ear and see in the water. Winston is proud of him for being a strong warrior for the earth against pollution. Fred asks about telling stories in teepees in the wintertime due to the cold. Winston agrees that this was a good way to keep children from getting bored. He says winter was the only time for telling stories and when Fred asks telling them in summer, Winston jokes that a weasel would crawl into your sleeping bag, though he says this isn't a joke. Winston tells a story of the Um Papa Sieux. It was about a missing little boy and the creator providing protection for the boy through an animal. Fred asks about Winston's next powwow and Winston tells him before inviting him along, saying everyone will be excited to see him. Fred puts away his guitar reminding everyone to take care of the people, environment, and animals, with "take good care of each other" before inviting Winston to say goodbye, but he chooses to say 'until the next time'. And then tells Fred how to say that in Cree.

## Cast

* Fred Penner
* Word Bird

## Sources

* Appears on a VHS tape (created into a dvd) that my family owns (and hopefully we can get posted on youtube soon).