Jiibay helps illustrate choices

Chad Solomon and Jiibay
Chad Solomon and Jiibay

By Christine Smith McFarlane

TORONTO – Chad Solomon, the creator of the graphic novel series “Rabbit and Bear Paws”, introduced a new puppet character to participants at the Aboriginal Awareness Circle during the 2014 Ontario Library Association Super Conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

“Jiibay is a very new character that is not in the books yet, but I am starting to write the book that he’ll be introduced in,” says Solomon, a citizen of Henvey Inlet First Nation currently living in the Peterborough area.  In English,  Jiibay translates to “ghost” or “spirit”.

“I wanted to introduce a new character that would help illustrate the idea of change and how all beings have the ability to change for the better or change in a non-positive way. When I was coming up with the idea of this new character , Jiibay,  I was reflecting on the important aspects of healing of our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual sides that we all need to become positive beings.”

After introducing participants to each of his original characters — Rabbit, Bear Paws and Strawberry — Solomon donned the suit that has become the character of Jiibay and explained how the design and physical creation of the puppet took about six months.

“I design the puppet characters but I have other people build the puppets for me. Jiibay was built in Ottawa by Matt Ficner Productions Inc, and is made from fabric, leather and lightweight aluminum.

“I will introduce him at pow-wows and through a puppet play called ‘Rabbit and Bear Paws: Choose your own path’.”

The new play is about making smart choices in life – mental, emotional, physical and spiritual – and select audience members will have a chance to become puppeteers within the story, about the “Two Paths” that are open to everyone.

“Path One is the natural path,” says Solomon. “The other path is full of challenges from bullies, others and ourselves who say we cannot achieve our own personal goals. The audience will have the opportunity to decide what path they would like the story to follow.”

Other table topics at the Aboriginal Awareness Circle included Aboriginal Reading Lists, Board issues, Ontario Public Library Guidelines (First Nations edition) Aboriginal Programming in municipal public libraries, and “Ask a First Nation Librarian”.