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Mike will work as an MC, and does speaking engagements for
functions of all types. Want an after dinner speaker? Mike Puhallo could be your man! His
wit and humor can add to any event!
You can see the wit in the grin!
Both photos courtesy of Visions Unlimited!
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Cowboy Poetry as an educational tool.
Exploring Our Western Heritage, Taking Cowboy Poetry and Western
Heritage to the Schools.
In the last four years I have been touring rural areas
of British Columbia reading my cowboy poetry and speaking in libraries and schools.
These tours were sponsored by BC Govt. Library Services under their "Writers in Libraries
Program." Along the way I kept track of the responses and questions from students and
teachers and kept adjusting my program to address the matters they raised.
Last May (2002) I was asked to take part in a major school presentation with the Royal
British Columbia Museum. My program was on the Hispanic influence in our ranching heritage.
I spoke to 500 students in two days.
In February and early March of 2003 I will
be hosted by the Kamloops Museum for a series of school presentations, on cowboy poetry
and our ranching heritage.
The School programs I have developed over the last
few years are fun, versatile, and very educational. The combination of cowboy poetry and
stories has been a hit with the students right from the start and is rapidly gaining
acceptance with teachers as well. (Although some teachers don't appreciate being used
as roping dummies!)
I believe similar programs could be developed in all regions
of the West and would be of lasting benefit in creating a greater appreciation of our
Western Heritage among today's youth!
The following is a brief outline of the presentations offered for each age group.
Primary ( K to Gr.3)
A Cowboy Is My program for primary students is designed
to introduce them to the working cowboy/rancher. It entails a lot of Show and Tell, some
stories and poems about the life and work of a cowboy and the equipment we use. With each
presentation the direction is determined in part by the questions asked. I also include a
quick lesson on how to use a lariat to rope a cow, which is usually very popular.
(Grades 4-5)
Cowboys and Ranchers This presentation for the intermediate
grades touches briefly on the History of the Cattle Industry; from the Ice Age through
Ancient Egypt, from Spain to the Americas. I point out the influence of the Hispanic
Vaqueros on the culture of the West today and the difference between the Hollywood myth
and the reality of the working cowboy. The presentation utilizes stories and poetry more
and is somewhat less interactive than the primary program, but I still finish off with a
roping lesson.
(grades 6-7)
Cowboys And Ranchers A quick tour through the history of the
Cattle Industry from ancient times until now. A look at the Hispanic influence on the
Cattle Industry in British Columbia, as well as the influence of other ethnic groups in
those early days. A little bit on the History of the Cariboo Trail from California to the
BC interior.
A little more emphasis on telling the stories through poetry at this age. An introduction
to Cowboy Poetry as a means of preserving the folklore of the West.
(grades 8-10)
The Culture of the Cowboy After moving quickly through the
ancient history of the Cattle Industry we look in a little more depth at the history of
the cattle industry in Canada. The Cultural influences of the Hispanic, British, Metis’,
Hawaiian, and Indian Cowboys along the Cariboo Trail are visited in stories and poems. We
will also look at the role of the cattle industry in modern terms, most young people have
no idea how many of the products we use every day come from cows!
(Grade 11-12)
(a) Literature
Cowboy Poetry the Folklore of the West For Literature Classes etc., a reading of
Western Folklife Poetry with the emphasis on the poet’s role as a minstrel of his age.
The poetry will cover much of the same historical ground as other presentations but the
focus is on poetry and story telling as art forms. Included are a number of classic poems
of the West as well as my own compositions.
(b) History
Ranching Heritage in Western Canada A look at the history
heritage and culture of our Cattle Industry. The influence of the Hudson’s Bay Company,
the California Vaqueros and Packers, the Metis’, Scots, and Indian Cowboys and how they
helped shape the province and the cattle industry of today. This is not a 45 minute
history lecture it is a collection of stories and poems about the men and women of our
ranchlands past and present.
There is a large element of flexibility in all of these programs. I always allow for
questions, if there aren’t many questions then there is time for a few more poems or
roping lessons.
Other possible topics that may be discussed include;
Urban myths about cows (the beef industry and the environment.)
Roots of western songs (cowboy poetry and Celtic ballads.)
Cattle and horses through the ages (the genesis of the cowboy.)
Hollywood lies (the real West was more interesting than the one they invented.)
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Great News for 2004!
Mike Puhallo selected to showcase at ArtScan 2004
Mike just recieved an email, informing him that he has been selected for the Artscan
2004 Showcase. This showcase features a dozen artists each year and is attended by
educators from Western Canada. Artists from this showcase are booked to tour schools
the following year. Mike says, "This is by far the biggest breakthrough I've had in my
efforts to take Western Heritage into the classroom!
Here is a letter of reference.
May 17, 2002
To Whom It May Concern:
I recently had the pleasure of working with Mike Puhallo during a free special event
produced by the Royal British Columbia Museum and the Museum of the Cariboo-Chilcotin in
Williams Lake, May 2-4, 2002. Called Cattle Tales, Trails, and Dragonflies the show
featured special exhibits, illustrated lectures, booths and demonstrations about the human
and natural history of British Columbia's central Interior. The event was attended by over
900 people.
An important focus for all of us was a series of unique hour-long
student programs for almost 500 children from the Williams Lake area on May 2 and 3. Mike
worked alongside museum curators, interpreters, First Nations and other experts to present
these well -received programs.
I was impressed with both the quality of Mike's
programs and with his easy-going delivery style. The hundreds of students that he worked
with over the two days were attentive and really enjoyed learning about cowboy history and
listening to his original verse. We had excellent feedback from the teachers as well. Mike
easily adapted his programs to fit the various age levels of students that attended his
sessions.
I would welcome the opportunity to work with Mike again on another
project. Don't hesitate to contact me for more information about his role in this special
event.
Sincerely,
Brian Seymour
Coordinator, Travelling Exhibits
Ph: 250-387-2163
Paz 250-387-0535
email:
Bseymour@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
Click on one of the links at the top left, or below, to visit all the other pages of this
site where you can find out how to listen to some sample poems, buy one of Mike's books,
tapes, CDs, or a video, or hire Mike for an event.
You can contact him by
Email: mikepuhallo@direct.ca
Phone: (250) 579-5667 Fax: (250) 579-5610
Mike Puhallo
8584 Westsyde Rd
Kamloops, BC
V2B 8S3
Visit Mike's other Web site at www.cowboylife.com/mikepuhallo
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