In the realm of art and culture, some individuals shine brighter than others, using their talents to bridge divides, promote peace, and preserve the rich heritage of their community. One such luminary is Ms. Janine Tougas, whose remarkable contributions have earned her the prestigious Magis Award for Peace and Reconciliation in 2023.
A storyteller, playwright, program developer and trainer, Janine has worked collaboratively with Métis organizations and artists in Manitoba for many years. Though not of Métis heritage herself, her upbringing in the village of Ste-Anne des Chênes, Manitoba, surrounded by Métis families, provided the fertile soil from which her journey as a storyteller, playwright, and program developer took root, firmly grounded in the context of Métis culture and the pursuit of reconciliation. Inspired by her upbringing, Ms. Tougas has spent her life using the power of stories to bring communities closer together.
Maria Campbell, the acclaimed Métis author, filmmaker, and member of the Order of Canada, once said, "Stories are the most powerful medicine we have." Ms. Tougas, who has always understood the potency of stories, embarked on her path at a young age, initially as a babysitter, then as a camp counsellor, and later as a group facilitator.
Her unique perspective and dedication to the cause of Métis culture and reconciliation found its expression in the "Voyage Collection," a series of four youth novels she wrote and published from 2013 to 2016. These novels were inspired by her high school classmates, reflecting the vibrant tapestry of the Métis community.
"In 1978, the event "On s'garoche à Batoche" gathered 600 young people from the four western provinces to the historic site of Batoche for an interactive weekend of games, plays, presentations to acquaint them with the Francophone and Métis heritage and culture bequeathed to them by their ancestors," said Ms. Tougas. "I was invited to develop and facilitate a series of interactive workshops on the important historical figures of the time."
Ms. Tougas' journey continued in 2013 when Gabriel Dufault, president of l'Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba, invited her to coordinate traditional Métis craft sessions. This endeavour eventually led to the creation of an educational kit about the bison hunt for Manitoba schools.
Alongside her sister Elaine Tougas, she crafted an interactive play titled "La chasse au bison au coeur de la nation métisse," which showcased the organization, values and impact of the bison hunt on the French Métis community of Manitoba. The play has been featured at the Festival international du conte de Winnipeg (the French sector of the Winnipeg International Storytelling Festival) at Fort Gibraltar to over 10,000 students since 2014.
In 2015, Ms. Tougas established "Le cercle de conteurs métis," attracting storytellers of all ages to share their tales and traditions. These storytelling evenings became a platform for celebrating diverse cultures through music, song, and stories.
One of the most remarkable projects Ms. Tougas embarked on was the pilot project in 2013, organized for the Métis community in Saint-Laurent. This initiative featured four humour workshops centred around the bison hunt, each led by a specialist in a particular style of comedy. The workshops not only entertained but also educated, culminating in presentations to the entire school.
Ms. Janine Tougas' extensive background in Drama Studies, Counseling, and Expressive Arts Therapy has profoundly influenced her work. She uses hands-on workshops to introduce storytelling as a tool for public speaking and a means to connect with Métis identity, history, and values. For her, the arts are a medium for personal and group expression, offering opportunities for self-discovery and building a sense of community.
"Storytelling, song and games are tools for communication and an adventure outside everyday life," said Ms. Tougas. "The arts are a medium for personal and group expression, transformation and wellness. Visual art, poetry, movement, drama, music, and storytelling help people in address a variety of concerns and provide wonderful opportunities to build a sense of community and learn about yourself and others."
Ms. Tougas' methods for bringing the history and values of Métis culture to life, particularly for younger generations, are simple yet effective: stories, songs, music, games, and activities. These interactive and engaging approaches make the rich heritage of the Métis culture accessible and enjoyable.
Ms. Tougas sees storytelling, theatre, and art as invaluable tools for advancing peace and reconciliation efforts in today's society. Her current project, "Histoires de la charrette de la Rivière-Rouge/Stories of the Red River Cart," is a testament to her commitment to these principles. This collection of 36 Métis-themed stories, which she gifted to l'Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba in 2022, is designed to cater to children, teenagers, and adults. Available in both print and online audio-visual formats, these stories are a celebration of Métis culture, fostering pride in Métis children and families while also offering non-Indigenous communities the opportunity to learn about this often-hidden culture.
As a 2023 Magis Award Recipient for Peace and Reconciliation, Ms. Janine Tougas exemplifies the power of stories and the arts to create positive change, celebrate heritage, and bring communities together. Her work has left an indelible mark on the world, illuminating the path towards a more harmonious and inclusive society.