Academics

Indigenizing the Languages Curriculum at Shawnigan: Beads and Heart-work

Students in French Immersion 10 have been exploring literacy and communication from an Indigenous perspective this term, creating beaded texts informed by the pictographic strategies of a Haudenosaunee communicative technology called wampum. After exploring the crucial roles of wampum as treaty documents, spiritual covenants and wisdom teachings linking the Haudenosaunee to European settlers prior to Confederation, students wove their own narratives, values and teachings into their personal beaded work, listening to each other's texts in sharing circles.
The aim of this project was to extend their understanding and appreciation of what a text can be, look like, and do. Shawnigan students exceeded expectations through the care they took in embracing the polysemic nature of wampum texts, which relay history, commemorate events, express a relationship to place or community and emphasize wisdom teachings.

After enjoying the opportunity to sit in on their sharing circles, the method of storytelling and presenting through the wampum was enlightening. Being able to follow the student’s journey through their beadwork allowed for a greater understanding of the important role these works have had not only historically but for future generations to learn from. For one student, his journey through Shawnigan and how hockey brought him here was portrayed, and for another, the challenges faced personally with depression were expressed in a thoughtful and meaningful manner. It is evident after listening to the stories that the students have experienced a cultural connectedness through beading in addition to an understanding of the healing properties that the beads can have.

Exploring this Eastern Woodlands textual practice on a Hul'q'umi'num'-speaking Coast Salish territory was an important reminder of our responsibility to respect and learn from the extraordinary diversity of Indigenous ways of knowing. Huy tseep q'u, Merci, Thank you!

Shawnigan Lake School is adhering to all COVID-19 guidelines released by the BC Ministries of Health and Education.
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We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.