Teachers' Resource

Chickadee Makes a Sumix Bow (time 3:57) Big Ideas: Educators are encouraged to focus on three dominant themes throughout their planning and study of Chickadee Makes a Sumix Bow . The themes integral to the story are 1) power; 2) problem-solving; and 3) goal-setting. This story is far more complex than it may initially seem to the listener. Many tangents may be followed at various levels for more in-depth study. The following are suggestions and added information that will assist educators in meeting their learning objectives for their students. Backgrounder: Teachers are encouraged to read the summaries and reflections found in the book Not Extinct: Keeping the Sinixt Way that relate to the story. Several important topics and concepts are mentioned, such as: Moralistic questioning; Good vs evil; right vs wrong; Spirit power requiring context, commitment, and effort; Rights and responsibilities; Naivety, gullibility, trust, awareness, a...

Coyote and Chickadee (time 9:08) Big Ideas: Educators are encouraged to focus on four dominant themes throughout their planning and study of Coyote and Chickadee . The themes integral to the story are 1) power; 2) emotion; 3) self-regulation; and 4) capacity. This story is a sequel to Chickadee Makes a Sumix Bow in which Chickadee attempts to continue his journey to reach the Big Council in the Sky in full possession of his Sumix bow and arrows. Suggestions and added information are offered below to assist educators in meeting learning objectives for their students. It is highly recommended that educators familiarize themselves with the story Chickadee Makes a Sumix Bow and the accompanying lesson guide as part of their unit planning. Several issues, scenarios, and concepts introduced in Chickadee Makes a Sumix Bow are repeated, overlapped, reinforced, or continued in the sequel. Backgrounder: Teachers are encouraged to read the summaries and reflections fou...

Repatriation of Remains (time 6:14) Big Ideas: Educators are encouraged to focus on four dominant themes throughout their planning and study of Repatriation of Remains . The themes integral to the story are 1) cultural law, 2) leadership, 3) homecoming, and 4) social justice. The following are suggestions and added information that will assist educators in meeting their learning objectives for their students. Backgrounder: Teachers are encouraged to read the summaries and reflections found in the book Not Extinct: Keeping the Sinixt Way that reference and relate to this story. Several important topics and concepts are mentioned, such as: Cultural laws; Smum iem; Eva Orr, Elder and Matriarch; Death as a journey; Repatriation: an apology to the ancestors; Hushed stories of repatriation – secrets, code of silence, anonymity; Activism; Complications, disruptions, and the imposition of politics; The ‘what if’ question: Wh...

How Coyote Made the Black Moss Food (time 4:39)     Big Ideas: Educators are encouraged to focus on four dominant themes throughout their planning and study of How Coyote Made the Black Moss Food. The themes integral to the story are 1) honour; 2) eating within one’s latitude; 3) gratitude; and 4) critical thinking. The following are suggestions and added information that will assist educators in meeting their learning objectives for their students. Backgrounder: Teachers are encouraged to read the summaries and reflections found in the book Not Extinct: Keeping the Sinixt Way that reference and relate to this story.  Several important topics and concepts are mentioned, such as: Caretaking food resources; Ceremonial feasts, food protocols; Harvesting food, eating locally; Price versus value; Trade; Cultural food, cultural practice, and resistance; Grey matter knowledge: connecting with the ancestors, connecting with one’s roots; Dessert and treats – ...