Orland the Roogaroo

Métis Roogaroo & Superstition Stories.

This story was originally published in Métis Roogaroo & Superstition Stories, a compilation of stories from members and friends of Gabriel Dumont Local 11, a Métis Local in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Most began as oral stories, presented over Zoom, and then transcribed, revised, and edited for this publication. Some participants were inspired and created new stories, plays, and artwork, some of which you will see in the publication. For the Métis/Michif, storytelling is very important in validating experiences and nurturing relationships through shared knowledge. Our hope is that these stories inspire, entertain and resonate with readers, encouraging them to look for similar stories in their own lives. Métis Roogaroo & Superstition Stories was published as a Special Edition of Folklore Magazine in January 2024.

Senator Nora Cummings and a Roogaroo, 2023. Photo courtesy of Nora Cummings.

My cousin Orland was such a joker. When we were young, we lived on a road allowance. We were always left at home to do things. I had to do housework, and my cousin had to do the outside work.

One time, I did all the cleaning, and I was tired. He came in and said, “Come help me haul this wood.”

I said, “No! I’m not gonna do that. I worked all day. You do your own work! I’m done mine.”

He said, “Well, you better come help me, or you’re gonna be sorry.”

I said, “I’m not scared of you! Go and do your own work!”

He was such a joker though. He said, “I’m gonna run around our shack four times and on the fourth time, the rugaroo will come. You’ll see.”

I thought, “I ain’t scared of him.” I didn’t know what the heck a rugaroo was and I didn’t think he would do anything.

He didn’t say a thing when he was running, and after the fourth lap he knocked on the door. I opened it and there was a big dark figure with his face and upper body covered in dark black cloth and gloved hands. All you could see were the holes in the cloth for his eyes. He was carrying an old gunny sack, but I didn’t know what was in it. The figure just stood there, kind of bobbing back and forth.

I started hollering at it, “Orland, stop that! Stop that!” But the figure didn’t answer! It just kept lurking in the doorway.

My kookum used to talk about Chi-Jean. She’d tell all these stories how Chi-Jean used to play jokes on people. I began to think, if this is a Rugaroo, oh my gosh, I gotta go hide! I’ll go and hide in the bush.

I gotta defend myself, so I took this frying pan. We had these big cast iron frying pans we used to make our bannocks and stuff in and I shouted, “Okay, you wanna come in, I’m gonna knock you out with this pan!”

Well, that must have scared my cousin because he started, “Kiya kiya, ma couzine, this is your cousin.”

I said, "I'm just teasing you,” and that was the end of the Roogaroo.

NORA CUMMINGS has lived most of her life in Saskatoon. She is a descendant of the Round Prairie Métis. She has been involved in the promotion of Métis rights and culture her entire life. In 1969, she was a founding member of Gabriel Dumont Local 11 and became one of the Métis society's first field workers and family advocates. She continues to be the Li Vyeu for Gabriel Dumont Local 11. She was a founding member of the Saskatchewan Native Women’s Association and was the first woman on the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre board of directors. She is an active member of the Saskatoon community and is involved in many historic decisions. Nora has been honoured with many awards and tirelessly continues to work for the Métis people by serving on various boards and advisory councils.

“people stories” shares articles from Folklore Magazine, a publication of the Saskatchewan History & Folklore Society. Four issues per year for only $25.00! Click below to learn more about the magazine and to find out how to get your story into the blog!