Acting on reconciliation

Cree elder Winston Wuttunee took out his drum and invited more than 50 new friends, nearly all of whom were sitting cross-legged on the gymnasium floor of their Winnipeg elementary school on Monday afternoon, to sing the alphabet in his mother tongue.

"Now I know my ABCs. Next time won’t you sing in Cree!" he exclaimed, surrounded by a crowd of schoolchildren who burst into cheers after the musical wordplay.

It was a fitting way to finish another rehearsal for A.E. Wright Community School’s upcoming musical, Peynikamun Nici — a Cree phrase that translates to "Sing With Me, My Friend" in English.

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