Cree-speaking puppets help kids learn the language while showing the silly side of Indigenous life

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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