Cree-speaking puppets help kids learn the language while showing the silly side of Indigenous life
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- Опубліковано 30 тра 2019
- Four brothers - and their Cree-speaking puppets - show the silly, joyful side of Indigenous life. “Everything that we do is having fun, telling stories, laughing. You know...laughing is healing.” #CBCShortDocs #Bighetty&Bighetty
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It started with short skits to entertain friends and family.
Before long, the Bigetty brothers had gone viral, with tens of thousands of video views on social media and requests to perform from communities across Western Canada.
Their show? Four puppets - Marcel, Baptiste, Michel and The Chief - each with their own personality. They might remind you of the renowned Muppet or Sesame Street franchises, but with one distinct difference: these puppets are clearly Indigenous. And they seem to have minds of their own.
The hilarious antics of these little dudes revolve around everyday occurrences in their community, their wit and charm on display as they slide back and forth between English and Cree. When they aren’t hamming it up in front of a cell phone camera for an online video, they’re getting a smile-a-second from kids at school performances.
When the brothers take their show on the road, they’re treated like rock stars: the puppets are mobbed by children and elders stop to talk to the Bighetty brothers, engaging with their puppet alter egos. Most have never seen a puppet that looks like an Indigenous person before.
The Bighetty brothers were born with the gift of humour. Led by Russell, the eldest brother, they created characters based on what they saw around them in their own community. It wasn’t long when they realized that having the puppets speak Cree would be a fun way to help engage children in learning the language.
Tragically, Russell passed away in the spring of 2018. In this documentary, brothers Ken, Andrew, Kelsey, Dan and Russell explore the deep wound of Russell’s death, but also their determination to keep the joy of their performances alive. Rather than sadness, the surviving brothers choose a legacy of love and laughter while passing on their language.
One of the most overlooked things in Canadian society is how joyful and fun-loving Indigenous culture is. This story shows how the infectious power of laughter can change lives.
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Saddening that Sesame Park never had native puppets. These brothers are a true inspiration to the fortitude of all Canadians.
Im native and Im not surprised. The way we call everyone racist for making native things and they aren't, we claim its offensive.
Ha. I’m watching this in Australia. So yes. Someone is. Great doc.
Thank you CBC Docs 👍🏽
⭐️RIP⭐️Russell⭐️⭐️⭐️
Your smile and humour will be present in our hearts and minds forever⭐️
❤❤❤❤❤❤ Now your beautiful brother is guiding and loving you from a higher realm!
This was wonderful and I hope these brothers continue to spread joy - thanks for giving this exposure - the country needs it! It's so important to see positive Indigenous stories like this.
I was feeling down awhile and this bought my spirits up
Thank u for the laughs
This is so awesome to see I really hope I see more of them ❤️. This is Ivana Williams from Blue Mountains Ontario Canada thank you very much for sharing your wonderful video with us.
Just gold, pure gold😂
Wow I’m so glad I watched this.
This is wonderful
so proud of my uncles
Dad and son....we lol ourselves.... uncal Hank...and....'jane the b.o.s.s'.....
May God bless you and may you continue to share your beautiful smiles with the world!
This is awesome just puppet show, thanks god love you.
Love this!
Thank you - you made my day brighter with this video!
good medicine the stories an morals they teach are very important great job
Wonderful. Thank you.
Tapwee ❤
This is really endearing!❤️
I wish it had more likes, more visibility...
So beautiful and funny. I always loved puppets and those guys are super cool. I also lost my brother not so long ago and it has been more difficult than I thought. What a beautiful tribute, thank you.
10,000 tinikis
I ad some cree friends that made me laugh somtimes.
I still remember them comeing to my school at pukatawgen school in 3 grade I think:)))
Lovely guys. Made me laugh. Which one of you is single? 🥰
mithosin tapwi oma nichimichak I miss my brother Russel ,
Keep the language alive…
Probably because when anybody makes something native, they end up in the news as accused as racist. Im native and even I know that.
my last name is Bighetty