Presentations

Comical, educational and highly interactive puppet presentations. 

Select audience members will have a chance to become puppeteers within each of the stories.
**** Scroll down to see all program descriptions of our interactive puppet presentations. ****
The following video are samples of how I direct the youth in each scene and how the youth add their own comical twist.

The family, left to right. Clover Blossom, Bear Paws, Grey Stone, Rabbit and Strawberry.

the family puppets - ottawa pow wow

 

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1) STEM Adventures: Beaver Builders!

Audience: Ages 5 and up

Rabbit and Bear Paws are in for a wild science lesson—taught by a beaver! When a beaver dam needs repair, the boys jump in to help, gathering wood, mud, and other materials to learn how nature’s best engineers do their work. But will they actually fix the dam…or just make a giant mess? (Spoiler: Probably both.) This hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) adventure blends humor, teamwork, and discovery!

2) Math Stinks! (Making Math Real and Fun)

Audience: Ages 5 and up

Rabbit and Bear Paws are stuck in a boring math lesson, and they hate it! But when they escape outside, suddenly, math is everywhere—counting berries (and eating way too many), building a bridge to cross a river, and realizing that numbers aren’t so bad after all! With laughter, mischief, and real-world problem-solving, this puppet show makes math fun (and maybe even delicious)!

Contact: Chad Solomon at  chadsol@gmail.com for availability and cost of presentation.

 

3) Aanii Aki (Hello World) – A Touch Sensory Puppet Show

Audience: Babies and up

Strawberry is off to visit Grandma, but the journey is full of surprises! As she travels, she discovers the wonders of the natural world—feeling the wind in her hair, the smoothness of river rocks, the tickle of sweet grass, the roughness of tree bark, and the cool splash of water. With funny interactions and playful moments, this gentle, sensory-rich puppet show invites little ones to giggle, reach out, and explore the Indigenous world through touch!

Contact: Chad Solomon at  chadsol@gmail.com for availability and cost of presentation.

 

4) The Grumpy Old Man & the Kid: An Intergenerational Friendship Tale

Audience: Ages 5 and up

Being lonely stinks, and an old man who lives alone likes it that way! But when a persistent young friend won’t take no for an answer, things start to change. With hilarious moments, heartfelt lessons, and a reminder that friendship knows no age, this story proves that yes—you can teach an old dog new tricks!

5) Nutrition in the Cooking Challenge: The Great Indigenous Chef Showdown!

Audience: Ages 5 and up

Audience: 5 and up Master Chef Grey Stone is on a mission—to teach Rabbit and Bear Paws how to cook a delicious meal using Indigenous ingredients. But first, they have to find them! From gathering wild foods to preparing the perfect dish, it’s a race to impress the very opinionated judges (a.k.a. the audience!). And the best part? The winner is decided by the funniest face the judges make! May the best chef win!

6) Game Over! Rabbit vs. Video Game Addiction

Audience: Ages 5 and up

Game Over! Rabbit vs. Video Game Addiction Rabbit is obsessed with his favorite video game—so much that he forgets to eat, sleep, or even go outside! Bear Paws and Strawberry decide to stage an intervention, pulling Rabbit into an epic real-world adventure. Can they convince him that life beyond the screen is just as exciting? Or will Rabbit just keep trying to “level up” in real life? A funny and relatable tale about balancing screen time and real-world fun!

7) Wiggly tooth – A Hilarious Puppet Show About Healthy Teeth!

Audience: Ages5 and up

Wiggly tooth – A Hilarious Puppet Show About Healthy Teeth! Rabbit’s got a wiggly tooth and freaks out!—what if all his teeth fall out?! To keep them in, he stops brushing (gross!). Meanwhile, a sneaky sugar-loving trickster, Giibay, tempts him with sweets, leading to a toothache and a sugar cave in his tooth! Just when things couldn’t get worse, Rabbit wakes up to find his loose tooth missing! With help from Bear Paws, Elder Beaver, and the kids, Rabbit learns that brushing doesn’t make teeth fall out, sugar is not his friend, and taking care of adult teeth is super important—because once they’re gone, they’re gone! Get ready for laughs, adventure, and a whole lot of brushing fun in this interactive puppet show!

8) Hilarious Hygiene Puppet Show – Stinky Surprize!

Audience: Ages 5 and up

Hilarious Hygiene Puppet Show – Stinky Surprize! Rabbit and Bear Paws are having the messiest day ever—rolling in mud, skipping baths, and even forgetting to change their socks (eww!). But when Elder Racoon steps in, things take a stinky turn! From learning the hard way why we wash our hands (hint: germs love snack time too!) to discovering why night-time toothbrushing stops sneaky sugar parties in their mouths, these two friends find out that staying clean isn’t just important—it’s hilarious! With help from the kids, Rabbit and Bear Paws scrub up, freshen up, and learn that hygiene can actually be fun!

9) Death – Tales from the Spirit World

Audience: Ages 5 and up

Death – Tales from the Spirit World When Rabbit and Bear Paws lose their beloved Grandfather, they decide to honor him the best way they know how—with laughter! As the village gathers around the bonfire, the mischievous duo spins a wild tale of Grandfather’s adventure in the Spirit World, where he chases the legendary Spirit Moose, chats with talking trees, and outsmarts a riddle-loving beaver. Through giggles and memories, the villagers remember Grandfather’s playful spirit, proving that love and laughter never truly fade. A touching, funny, and magical journey that turns tears into joy!

10) Consent: Picture-Perfect Permission!

Audience: Ages 5 and up

Consent: Picture-Perfect Permission

When Rabbit and Bear Paws meet a photographer at the powwow, they aren’t sure if they should say yes to having their picture taken. With the help of their wise friend, Sabe the Sasquatch, they learn all about consent, privacy, and the power of saying no. Armed with confidence, they make their own decision—and even teach their friends why asking permission matters! A fun and engaging story that helps kids understand their right to privacy in a world full of cameras!

11) Rabbit & Bear Paws: The Quest for a Happy Mind (Puppet Show Edition!)

Audience: Ages 5 and up

Mental Wellness: The Quest for a Happy Mind (Puppet Show Edition!)

Rabbit’s feeling off—like a drum with no rhythm (or a puppet with tangled strings). Bear Paws, being the ultimate nosy best friend, drags him to Grandmother, the all-knowing wellness guru. But instead of a simple pep talk, Grandmother sends them on a self-care adventure—because wellness isn’t just about naps (sorry, Rabbit).

Following the Medicine Wheel, Rabbit and Bear Paws explore:

East – Physical Clap your hands! (Rabbit, not on your face.) South – Mental Mindful breathing (No, Bear Paws, hyperventilating doesn’t count.) West – Emotional Laughter—the best medicine! (Except for stubbed toes. Nothing helps that.) North – Spiritual is all about having gratitude for more laughter! Because if you can’t laugh at yourself, who will? (Oh right, Bear Paws.) Along the way, Rabbit belts out an off-key song, and in the end, he and Bear Paws celebrate their success in mastering mind over matter by doing what they do best—playing outside with a ball, laughter echoing through the air.

By the end, Rabbit is feeling balanced, refreshed, and possibly too relaxed—but at least he’s got his rhythm back! Wellness unlocked!

12) Custom Puppet Show – Bringing Health Messages to Life!

Audience: All ages

Custom Puppet Show – Bringing Health Messages to Life!

Every Indigenous community has unique health needs and important messages to share.

A custom puppet show can help spread the word in a fun and engaging way! Rabbit and Bear Paws team will work with your health center to create a personalized puppet show that delivers your message to youth and the whole community.

13) Graphic Novels: How to create a graphic novel page based on the 7 Grandfathers

The idea is to create a single graphic novel page, from story concept to page layout, from the students own personal experiences and imagination and connect the story to the Seven Grandfather Teachings.

Space needed is the classroom or gym. Set-up time needed 30 minutes/ Pack up time 30 minutes. Session time 50 minutes.

Recommended for grades 2-12.

Contact: Chad Solomon at  chadsol@gmail.com for availability and cost of presentation.

 

 

 

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14) Rabbit and Bear Paws – The Way

In this interactive puppet theater called; Rabbit and Bear Paws: The Way, we retell the

A story of how the Turtle carries our world on her back and how the tiny muskrat succeed in giving all of us the greatest gift of all. A place to call home, Turtle Island.

Space needed is the gym or open space of library. Set-up time needed 40 minutes/ Pack up time 40 minutes. Session time 50 minutes.

Recommended for Day care – up to grade 9

Lead up/ Follow up activities: Here is the link for activities that you can do with your class/ group or community  rabbit-and-bear-paws-the-way

Contact: Chad Solomon at  chadsol@gmail.com for availability and cost of presentation.

 

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15) Bullying with puppets: Rabbit and Bear Paws

In this  interactive puppet program; Students become puppeteers to  discover how to resolve bullying with restorative justice.

Space needed is the gym or open space of library. Set-up time needed 30 minutes/ Pack up time 30 minutes. Session time 50 minutes.

Recommended for Grades JK- up to grade 9

Lead up/ Follow up activities: Here is the link for activities that you can do with your class/ group or community  rabbit-and-bear-paws-bullying

Contact: Chad Solomon at  chadsol@gmail.com for availability and cost of presentation.

 

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16) Bullying: Kanensan the Skeleton Bully

Rabbit, Bear Paws and Strawberry are out in the woods when they meet Kanensan—a human skull looking for the rest of his body! Kanensan was a bully in his previous life, and wants to make up for his past deeds. Rabbit, Bear Paws and Strawberry take Kanensan on a hilarious journey to find the rest of his body and learn about the teachings of the Seven Grandfathers. It’s only by learning from our brothers and sisters, the animals in nature, that Kanensan can truly learn and find peace—but for an opinionated bully, that will be easier said than done!

Space needed is the gym. Set-up time needed 90 minutes/ Pack up time 90 minutes. Session time 50 minutes.

Recommended for Grades JK- up to grade 9

Lead up/ Follow up activities: Here is the link for activities that you can do with your class/ group or community  rabbit-and-bear-paws-skeleton-bullying

Contact: Chad Solomon at chadsol@gmail.com for availability and cost of presentation.

gaachin the skeleton bully online

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17) Nanabozhoo and the Ducks

Nanaboozhoo and the Ducks is a traditional story about music, greed and fowl behavior. A young Nanaboozhoo is very hungry and finds himself near several ducks who would make a fine meal. The ducks are clever, and Nanaboozhoo will have to use all of his wits to capture them for dinner. But just as it looks like Nanaboozhoo is about to taste success, his own ego may cause his failure! This classic story shows why it is always a good idea to humble. Also included is the teaching of the Medicine Wheel.

Space needed is the gym. Set-up time needed 90 minutes/ Pack up time 90 minutes. Session time 50 minutes.

Recommended for Grades JK- up to grade 9

Lead up/ Follow up activities: Here is the link for activities that you can do with your class/ group or community  rabbit-and-bear-paws-ducks

Contact: Chad Solomon at chadsol@gmail.com for availability and cost of presentation.

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18) COUNCIL OF THE ANIMALS

COUNCIL OF THE ANIMALS is a story of friendship and unconditional love.

Travel back to the dawn of human memory, when all the animals lived in harmony with each other. Then, one sunny day, a bear cub discovered a little bundle of joy: the first man! He was raised and educated by our elders, the animals, learning much from them, but also becoming dependent on them. And so the animals formed a council to determine what to do about mankind. With man’s future looking uncertain, his best chance to survive the judgment of the council would lie with his best friend… the Dog. Find out how the faithful Dog saves the day in this funny and touching puppet show!

Space needed is the gym or open space of library. Set-up time needed 30 minutes/ Pack up time 30 minutes. Session time 50 minutes.

Recommended for Grades JK- up to grade 9

Lead up/ Follow up activities: Here is the link for activities that you can do with your class/ group or community rabbit-and-bear-paws-council

Contact: Chad Solomon at chadsol@gmail.com for availability and cost of presentation.

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19)  Dream Catcher and the Seven Grandfathers :

While Rabbit is fasting in the forest at the top of the mountain, he dreams of a Grandmother spider who guides him to seven special animals. These seven animals share with Rabbit what it means to walk a good path through life, through understanding of the Seven Grandfathers of Courage, Respect, Humility, Honesty, Truth, Love, and Wisdom.

Session Length: 50 minutes. Set-up time: 50 minutes. Pack-up time: 50 minutes.  Space needed: Gym

Group size: one class to whole school. Recommended for Grades 1-9

Lead up/ Follow up activities: Here is the link for activities that you can do with your class/ group or community rabbit-and-bear-paws-dream-catcher

Cost: contact Contact: Chad Solomon at  chadsol@gmail.com for availability and cost of presentation.

Dream Catcher online

This picture was taken with the help on Nimkii Osawamick.

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20) Treaties A funny story of sustainability with ONE bowl, ONE spoon and a whole lot of POPCORN!

There was a time when people and animals  knew that we should only take enough food and water for our own personal needs. For if we took more food and water then we needed, there may not be enough for us tomorrow.   Discover how Rabbit, Bear Paws and the Animals come to this agreement, to save the food and water for tomorrow. With ONE bowl ONE spoon and a whole lot of POPCORN.

Session Length: 50 minutes. Set-up time: 50 minutes. Pack-up time: 50 minutes.
Space needed: Gym

Group size: one class to whole school. Recommended for Grades 1-9

Lead up/ Follow up activities: Here is the link for activities that you can do with your class/ group or community rabbit-and-bear-paws-treaties

Cost: contact Contact: Chad Solomon at  chadsol@gmail.com for availability and cost of presentation.

 

 

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21) Health:  Choose your own path, is a funny and interactive puppet play about making the smart choices  (mental, emotional, physical and spiritual) in life. Select audience members will have a chance to become puppeteers within the story.

The Rabbit and Bear Paws: Choose your own path is a comical story about the ‘Two Paths’ that is open to every person. Path ONE: Is the natural path. Path TWO: The Other path, is the path that is full of challenges (mental, emotional, physical and spiritual)   from bullies, ourselves and others who say we can not achieve our own personal goals.

The audience will have the opportunity to decide what path they would like to the story to follow and see the consequences of those decisions in this new and interactive comical puppet story of Rabbit and Bear Paws: Choose your own path.

Session Length: 120 minutes. Set-up time: 90 minutes. Pack-up time: 50 minutes.
Space needed: Gym

Group size: whole school. Recommended for Grades 1-9

Lead up/ Follow up activities: Here is the link for activities that you can do with your class/ group or community rabbit-and-bear-paws-health

Cost: contact Contact: Chad Solomon at  chadsol@gmail.com for availability and cost of presentation.

 

choose your own path 2

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22) Astronomy: Honouring the Ancestors and understanding the stars

two a

The Fisher, an animal like that of a weasel, lived in the winter world where many of his friends went hungry and cold. To protect his friends, the Fisher created a plan to steal summer from the summer animals and share it with the winter animals. His courage and sacrifice were honoured when the Fisher was given a placed among the stars. Every year, the Fisher crosses the sky. In the winter sky, the arrow strikes him and he rolls onto his back; but as winter ends, he climbs to his feet and starts out once more to bring warm weather back to the land.

This teaching reminds us that the harmonious survival and well being of all creation is dependent upon sharing and respect for the Great Laws of Nature.

Session Length: 50 minutes. Set-up time: 50 minutes. Pack-up time: 50 minutes.
Space needed: Gym

Group size: one class to whole school. Recommended for Grades 1-9

Lead up/ Follow up activities: Here is the link for activities that you can do with your class/ group or community rabbit-and-bear-paws-stars

Cost: contact Contact: Chad Solomon at  chadsol@gmail.com for availability and cost of presentation.

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23) Sports: why birds fly south for the winter?

Do you wonder why birds fly south for the winter? Or why we have winter in the first place? These answers lie in the story of Mong the loon, and his love of the sport lacrosse. Long ago, Mong assembled a team of birds to challenge Kaikak the hawk and his team of formidable rivals. Their dramatic lacrosse matches became a tale of legend with a surprising end: the oncoming of winter, which forced Mong and his team to retreat south to warmer climates.

Although Mong did not find the victory he wanted, his actions actually had a huge benefit, because the winter brought a new balance to the summer climates, and gave people everywhere a new found respect for nature.

Session Length: 50 minutes. Set-up time: 50 minutes. Pack-up time: 50 minutes.
Space needed: Gym

Group size: one class to whole school. Recommended for Grades 1-9

Lead up/ Follow up activities: Here is the link for activities that you can do with your class/ group or community rabbit-and-bear-paws-birds

Cost: contact Contact: Chad Solomon at  chadsol@gmail.com for availability and cost of presentation.
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24) Bizindaage-he-she-listens-to-someone

The child who would be a Robin.

Rabbit’s father, Grey Stone, is very excited to help his son on his first fast, and tells
Rabbit that he must fast for 12 days — longer than anyone in the village ever has.
Nervous, but not wanting to disappoint his father, Rabbit agrees. While fasting,
the spirits warn Rabbit of a danger ahead if he does not quit.

Feeling confused, alone, and depressed that no one will listen to him, Rabbit’s
thoughts turn dark. Will Rabbit turn into a Robin and fly away, or will someone finally
listen to him?

 

Session Length: 50 minutes. Set-up time: 50 minutes. Pack-up time: 50 minutes.
Space needed: Gym

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25) Spirit of Winter

Spirit of Winter

Winter winds howl and crack the pine trees under the heavy snows. With little to no food left after a long winter. Rabbit and Bear Paws go in search of the Spirit of Winter to ask for his help. Only to discover that the Spirit of Winter is selfish and greedy. With the last of their wild rice almost gone. Rabbit and Bear Paws share the last of their food with the Spirit of Winter. Will the Spirit of Winter finally help or will the boys need to find another way to help the community?

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26) Water is Life

Water is life.

Marooned and washed ashore, Rabbit and Bear Paws, are trapped on a tiny island with no way home. So Rabbit sings a water song to call the help of the water spirit – Mishibijiw. Mishibijiw takes Rabbit and Bear Paws on a journey to discover the importance of understanding that all fire (life) is born in water.

 

 

 

Space needed is the gym or open space of library. Set-up time needed 30 minutes/ Pack up time 30 minutes. Session time 50 minutes.

Recommended for Grades JK- up to grade 9

Lead up/ Follow up activities: Here is the link for activities that you can do with your class/ group or community
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Testimonials

 

What people say about our performances.

 

 

“Rabbit and Bear Paw was the most engaging presenter we have had at our school.  Chad Solomon involves the students in all most every aspect of his show, while at the same time keeping them from getting too silly.  His mix of humour and knowledge allows him to communicate his message of inclusiveness and equality in an effective way that reaches the students.  The presentation takes twists and turns with many unique surprises along the way.  Should the right circumstance present itself I’d not hesitate to have him back in our school”

Chad Lechner

Prinicipal

Davison School

Melville, Sk

 

September 10, 2001

Letter Chad