Kung Jaadee - Haida Nation Story Teller

The Artist in Classrooms project will begin March 2nd at 9am with the first artist to join Selkirk Annex. We are excited to introduce Kung Jaadee, a Haida Nation Story Teller from Haida Gwaii that will be sharing her stories with us.

Kung Jaadee (sounds like Judday) means Moon Woman, and it is her Haida name, and also the name of her favourite Haida story. 

She has traveled across Canada performing Haida Raven legends to audiences of all ages for 24 years. These stories tell of a time when the animals taught us how to become k’ongee ongaa, dear people. Kung Jaadee performs these stories while accompanying herself on her drum. Her songs are traditional Haida songs, composed during her ancestors’ time.

She will be sharing her stories and songs, and we will be the lucky ones to get to learn about her culture and the First Nations from Haida Gwaii.

Kung Jaadee told us the story of Moon Woman and the meaning behind illustration of the half Raven and Half Human image on the back of the button blanket that her grandmother made her.

 She shared her story and her language with the children. She taught us Yes and No in her language.

 She talked about how far the stories of Raven go back...thousands and thousands and thousands of years. Can you imagine how long ago that was?

She shared a song with us and explained the square shaped drum and the symbol on the drum. What a lovely thing to share with us. Thank you for coming to share your story and song with us Kung Jaadee!

 Selkirk Annex was purchased a special book Raven's Feast with a special message for our library shelves. Kung Jaadee read it to us as she presented it to us. Can you find it in our library to see what it says...

We were thankful and a couple of students from Kindergarten come up to say thank you.