Circle Keeper-Script
Ha7lhSkwyle _____________ kwi en sna tina chan tl’a ____________ uxwumixiv an wenaxws ten skwalwen, I will be the circle keeper for today.
I would like to (welcome you to) or (acknowledge that you are on) the traditional territory of the (Squa-ho-mesh) or (Lil’wat) Nation and I am grateful to be living in this beautiful place.
Circle is a sacred and safe place where people can listen to one another’s stories
We honor the person who is speaking by following our community responsibilities:
Ha7lhSkwyle _____________ kwi en sna tina chan tl’a ____________ uxwumixiv an wenaxws ten skwalwen, I will be the circle keeper for today.
I would like to (welcome you to) or (acknowledge that you are on) the traditional territory of the (Squa-ho-mesh) or (Lil’wat) Nation and I am grateful to be living in this beautiful place.
Circle is a sacred and safe place where people can listen to one another’s stories
We honor the person who is speaking by following our community responsibilities:
- Listen (speak only when you have the talking piece)
- Mutual respect
- Appreciation/ no put downs
- Right to pass
Dancing for the elders meeting at Totem Hall: September 2018 |
Our class was asked by the elders to come and join in a performance on the second day of school. We don't turn down a chance to perform, so we got ourselves together and headed out.
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ORANGE SHIRT DAY
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Five schools in our district asked for our students to come and show some off some of the singing, dancing, and drumming that we have been learning over the years. |
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November 2018
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A small group of classroom leaders have been touring the school district and teaching some Squamish culture and language. So far we have been to six classrooms and have taught other students to identify traditional plants, make salves, and draw traditional Coast Salish shapes.
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Potlatch Prep
Rehearsing our singing, dancing, and drumming
Our salve timelapse video
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Making muscle salves
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Potlatch
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Since the beginning of our school we have hosted two potlatches a year. Every event is better than the last and we always find a way to outdo ourselves. This Winter we were blown away by the quality of the singing and the dancing, as well as the amazing production put on by Ms Jenna's class (assisted by the high school students).
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We wish you a Merry Christmas: Translated into Squamish
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HIDE TANNING
Yesterday, with Matthew and a very special guest, you began the process of tanning hides.
Describe in detail (but maybe not too much detail, you don’t want to gross out Ms Lowe), what some of the first stages of hide tanning are.
Describe in detail (but maybe not too much detail, you don’t want to gross out Ms Lowe), what some of the first stages of hide tanning are.
You need to skin the hide then soak it in water and lime. We skinned it by using a knife that kinda looked like a saw.
~Kiya We had to take off the fat and meet it was not easy it was hard.
~Tyler Can't tell you without grossing you out so I'm going to tell you and go see you out first we skinned off the guts and the blood stains and then we're going to take off all the skin and the fur and soak it in water and then take it out and dry it then soak it in water again and then leave it out and then it turns fuzzy dun dun dun The end
~Rowan |
The first stage is to scrape all of the meat and fat off of the hide, then you have to make a lie liquid to put the hides in so it is easier to take all of the hair off.
~Talise The tanning was cool. First we used a tool to take all the meat off. We did this until it was white. After this, the hide goes in water with lime to help remove the fur.
~Kaltee First, you get the hides and scrape the meat off them then you fill up the bin with water then you put stuff called alkaline in to make all the hair fall out then you let it sit for like a few days.
~Lindsey First we attacht pipes to a stump and draped the hides over them and then we took this knife and scraped all of the meat and Guts off The hide. And then we took 4 cups of lime and put them into a bin of water and soaked the hides.
~Lowell |
If you insist you rip all the skin off of the Flesh and then he throw the Flash in a big bucket then you tack the brane and put it on the hide then you Eat it :).no just kidding then you build a 4by4 thing you put the hide in and VWALLA!!!
~Bodhi Tanning hides is not to hard but the first stage of tanning hides is we have to put the hides on this rack thing and then we got to get the meat off of the hides with these scrapers and when they are done scraping the meat of you get this stuff called limes but not the fruit type of lime.
~Torrun |
How did you feel about beginning this process yesterday? How would you rate your level of participation and what could you do to improve your effort next time?
I felt a little weird and also a little excited.
~Talise I felt a little weirded out then I helped skin the hide. I would rate myself a 4 I didn't help much, I helped a little bit. I could set an good example next time instead of not helping.
~Kiya I felt sore after taking of the fat and the meet.
~Tyler |
It was good and I liked it. It was fun. From a level of 1-10, my participation was a 10 because I did some of the scraping and I enjoyed the process. To keep this level of participation, I can continue to try. I can do the steps myself and try it out.
~Kaltee I felt ok but the smell was so bad!! I am not joking i participated in doing it so i would rate a nine next time i do not have to want to know why it’s because everyone was doing everything and i was of at the side other then when i helped.
~Torrun |
I felt eerie. 8/10 and I could improve by Participating More!!!!
~Rachel The beginning process was a bit gross but I kinda got used to it and helped participate so then I did quite a bit of helping.
~Lindsey |
Herring
Herring Roe!!! |
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APRIL 2019
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A small group of classroom leaders have been touring the school district and teaching some Squamish culture and language. So far we have been to almost every school in the district and have taught other students to identify traditional plants, make salves, practice circle protocol, sing, drum, and dance to traditional songs, say animal names in Squamish language, and draw traditional Coast Salish shapes.
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Wild for Salmon Workshop:
Squamish Watershed Society
Spring Potlatch 2019
Our Spring Potlatch this year was an amazing event. Watching the two classes dance together during the work was so moving I almost cried. The work this year was honoring all of the individuals who helped our students to experience some once in a lifetime opportunities. Thank you BC parks, Matthew, the PAC, and many others.
Sports Day
In our school we don’t just have a regular old sports day, we play traditional Aboriginal games! This year we had Aunty Cindy playing a hunting game with us, and Deanna hosting Slahal, amongst others. We ended our day with a teacher vs. student game of California kickball, and a giant full school water fight! It was a HOT 🥵 day, but we had the best time.