Squamish Waldorf School is undertaking a number of initiatives to incorporate First Nations teachings into the curriculum.
First Nations Cultural Teachings Project
In partnership with workshop leader, Tsawaysia Spukwus, children in kindergarten through Grade 8 are learning about Squamish Nation culture through a series of handwork workshops in wool weaving, cedar bark weaving and drum making. The workshops incorporate crafting, singing and drumming, legend and history. The 1-1.5 hour workshops take place on Mondays throughout October, November and December 2018. This initiative is generously funded by Squamish Arts Council’s Community Enhancement Grant.
Guest Speaking
Squamish Waldorf School is incorporating First Nations teachings during specific lesson blocks on a project basis. For example, on October 2, 2018, the Grade 5/6 class invited Tsawaysia Spukwus to speak about the healing aspects of plants as part of their botany block. They learned how teas and salves are made and brewed tea made from locally-sourced rosehip, wild mint, stinging nettle and cottonwood buds.
First People’s Principles of Learning
Every week, faculty and staff meditate on one of the aspects of the First Peoples Principles of Learning. They then incorporate their reflections into the classroom and school.
The First Peoples Principles of Learning are:
• Learning ultimately supports the well-being of the self, the family, the community, the land, the spirits, and the ancestors.
• Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational
(focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place).
• Learning involves recognizing the consequences of one’s actions.
• Learning involves generational roles and responsibilities.
• Learning recognizes the role of indigenous knowledge.
• Learning is embedded in memory, history, and story.
• Learning involves patience and time.
• Learning requires exploration of one’s identity.
• Learning involves recognizing that some knowledge is sacred and only shared with permission and/or in certain situations.