Indigenous Resources Consulting
Get to Know Us
BIOS
Pauline Ducharme started doing presentations on Indigenous culture and traditions in 1998 at
her daughter’s daycare and later at her school. After this she did presentations at various schools
in the Ottawa area from 2006 to 2010. In 2007 she joined MASC and Learning Through the Arts.
Through these organizations she did several presentations at Ottawa schools. Pauline worked for
Indigenous Experiences Ottawa during Winterlude of 2008, 2009 and 2010, doing historical
acting and storytelling. She also worked during the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival giving
music workshop to students in 2013 and 2014. She did workshops on painting speaking rocks
and talking feathers during Canada Day and the Tulip Festival in 2008 and 2009. Pauline is
Métis with Algonquin and Innu ancestry.
Will Mason is an actor and an award winning musician, singer and songwriter. He started acting
professionally in 1984. During this time he was performing music at various venues such as coffee
houses. Some of his music was recorded for the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education teaching
Indigenous children the English language using their cultural music. As an actor and musician he
performed in three theatre companies. He also performed traditional and contemporary music for
youth centers and youth detention centers and within the prison system; most notably Guelph
Penitentiary, Brampton Ontario Corrections Institute and the Kingston Prison for Women. As a
musician he has played in traditional Indigenous drum groups, playing contemporary music in both
bands, ensembles and as a solo artist. He is a recording artist and has performed at many festivals
and venues for over 30 years. Will is of Mohawk and Upper Cayuga ancestry.
Our Services
1
PRESENTATIONS
The presentations consist of music, storytelling, and artefacts with the presenters wearing their regalia. Explanations are provided to enhance the understanding of Indigenous culture and traditions. They can also include information on history and current issues if required. Artefacts such as rabbit fur, deer hides, birch bark baskets, etc. are shown and can also be passed around for a tactile experience. The presentations are age appropriate and are between thirty minutes and one hour. For youth who are studying Indigenous history, culture and traditions, the presenters can communicate with the teacher to ensure that the presentation enhances what the students are currently studying.
We also provide a presentation on a detailed timeline from an Indigenous perspective. This timeline is from before contact to the present day and covers many items not found in mainstream education. This is for either high school students, university students or adults.
3
DEMONSTRATIONS
Bead-work and leather-work
demonstrations. We interact with visitors, answer questions, provide explanations on various beading and leather-work techniques.
2
WORKSHOPS
Workshops include: dreamcatcher, medicine bag and talking stick. They are approximately from one to three hours in length. The talking stick is an Indigenous best practice used to conduct inclusive meetings and to facilitate conflict resolution. The details will be explained during the workshop. The purpose and use of the Dreamcatcher and Medicine Bag will also be explained during the workshop.
