Simon Moccasin grew up not knowing who he was or where he came from. ‘Maybe I’m Hawaiian,’ he thought as a kid, or ‘Maybe I’m Mexican.’ He later found out that he is First Nation, and met his birth mother - that’s when he says everything fell into place.
“I went through some hard times growing up, just being in a different culture,” he said.
Moccasin, who now lives in Regina, was a part of what is now known as the ‘60’s Scoop, in which aboriginal children were taken from their homes and assimilated into non-aboriginal homes.
At the age of nineteen, when he met his blood mother, Moccasin began learning Cree, and as much about his culture as he could, and share it with the world.
He performed at Broadview School, where he captivated students with his unique blend of comedy and traditional First Nation storytelling.
Without the aid of any props or instruments, other than a microphone, a chair and his own voice and gestures, Moccasin kept the children laughing and begging to be included in the interactive performance.
“I like these intimate settings, this is really cool,” Moccasin said, of the Broadview School gym, where he performed for the elementary kids in the morning, and the high school students in the afternoon.
The kids were invited on stage to act out animals and other characters featured in the tales, as Moccasin narrated the stories and energetically brought them to life in a way the kids could relate to. As the kids acted out the creatures, he would teach them the Cree word for each one along the way, keeping the group laughing all the while.
He takes a slightly different approach with the older students.
“I get more in depth with them - I reiterate with some history.”
It can be a delicate thing, blending traditional First Nation legends with humor that keeps the kids wanting more, and Moccasin feels it’s important to maintain the true essence of the stories.
“To keep the traditional story within it, but also not to degrade it,” he said.
Moccasin is currently touring as a representative of the organization for Saskatchewan Arts Councils, but has been performing for about 7 years. His past gigs include amateur comedy night in Regina, where he finished in second place two years in a row, and first place one year.
His extensive touring can be hectic, and leaves him unsure of which town he’s in at times, but he still tries to stay grounded.
“I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and when that happens, then I get more opportunities. I was told that by Elders as well - to take care of myself.”
He hopes to not only teach kids about his own culture, but that he will inspire them to learn more about their own.
“I just ask the students to be proud of who they are, of their culture and what they’re all about, because not only are they Canadian, but they have roots in other countries too.”
He also embraces both his aboriginal and non-aboriginal backgrounds.
“That’s why I was adopted, when I look back on it - so I could see a couple of cultures.”
Moccasin would like the people of Canada to know that First Nation culture is not going anywhere.
“That’s why I do it, to show that this is where we are - we’re living, we’re not in the history books.”
He feels it’s important to find ways to unite the many different peoples of this diverse country.
“Now’s the time we start to come together as a big family. I think through understanding and through stories, we can start to learn who we are.”
Moccasin also continues to do what he does for a simpler reason.
“I love it - I love storytelling.”
