Cultural Exhibits
Cultural Exhibits were created with the purpose to integrate these cultural presentations into the classrooms by your schools Indigenous Support Worker. Please connect with the Indigenous Support Worker at your school. Let them know which Cultural Exhibit you are interested in booking. Some of these Cultural Exhibits can be completed by the ISW and for the ones they cannot, a virtual presentation on Microsoft Teams can be requested.

The presenter will explain how important the cedar tree was to the Stó:lō people. A video that demonstrates how Stó:lō people respectfully harvest the cedar tree will be shown. Many items created from the cedar tree will be shown to the classroom virtually.
A worksheet will be sent to the teacher to complete with their class.
Classroom Preparation:
- Laptop and projector with speakers are required
- Access to a printer to print worksheet for students
Students will need:
- Pencil
Time Frame:
1 hr. 15 min.
Additional Resources:
This video depicts the traditions of cedar.

Students will learn about the pre-contact and post contact history of trade beads in Canada. Students will also learn the importance of beading to Indigenous peoples of Canada. Students will assemble a beaded item to keep.
Materials required will be sent to the school by the Indigenous Centre prior to this presentation.
Classroom Preparation:
- Laptop and projector with speakers is required
- Desks cleared
Time Frame:
Elementary School: 60 minutes
Middle School: one scheduled block time

The presenter will communicate knowledge of Inuit people and their history in Canada. The presenter will use photos, artifacts and Traditional Inuit clothing to prompt student learning about the Inuit culture. The students will get to create a watercolor picture of an igloo with the northern lights in the background.
A worksheet will be sent to the teacher to complete with their class.
Classroom Preparation:
- Laptop and projector with speakers is required
Students Materials:
- Materials required for this presentation will be sent by the Indigenous Centre
Time Frame:
60 minutes
Additional Resources:
This video is a lecture on Inuit Rights.

The presenter will introduce Inuit sculptures to the class through the use of Inuit stories.
Photos of Inuit sculptures will be shown and students will be asked to imagine the story that inspired the carving. The presenter will then lead the students through a variety of sculpting steps to create their own version of an Inuit sculpture. Once the sculptures have been created they need to bake for 20 minutes. During baking, the presenter will not be in the classroom. Time permitting; students may have time to write and share stories that they have created.
Classroom Preparation:
- Laptop and projector with speakers is required
- One or two ovens available for baking the sculptures for 30 minutes
- Cleared desks
Time Frame:
Elementary Schools: 3 hours
Middle Schools: 3 blocks
Inuit Sculptures Lesson Plan 2019.pdf

Students will listen to a humorous Inuit story, Kumak’s Fish - A Tall Tale from the Far North, written by Michael Bania. This story emphasizes the Inuit virtues of patience, cooperation and sharing. The presenter will show Inuit replicas during the presentation.
Materials required will be sent to the school by the Indigenous Centre prior to this presentation.
Classroom Preparation:
- Laptop and projector with speakers is required
- Cleared desk to complete activity
Students will need:
- Scissors
- Felts/Pencil Crayons/Crayons
Time Frame:
60 minutes

Students will learn about symbols of Stó:lō People: the paddle, the canoe and the cedar tree. Students will learn about the Coast Salish eye design and assemble a paddle keychain to keep.
Materials required will be sent to the school by the Indigenous Centre prior to this presentation.
Classroom Preparation:
- Laptop and projector with speakers is required
- Desks cleared
Students will need:
- Materials provided by the Indigenous Centre
Time Frame:
60 minutes

Students will learn about the Four Directions and a symbol of Stó:lō People: the Paddle. Students will assemble a paddle necklace to keep and then draw a personal symbol onto their necklace.
Materials required will be sent to the school by the Indigenous Centre prior to this presentation.
Classroom Preparation:
- Laptop and projector with speakers is required
- Desks cleared
Students will need:
- Materials provided by the Indigenous Centre
Time Frame:
60 minutes
Additional Resources:
This video describes the process of youth learning about pictographs in the Sto:lo Nation.

Students will learn about the significance and history of pictographs and traditional rock paintings. They will decipher what they believe some pictographs communicated. Students will use a felt pen to draw a design on a polished rock. Examples of common pictograph designs will be sent to the teacher to print. Students will make their own design on rocks.
Materials required will be sent to the school by the Indigenous Centre prior to this presentation.
Classroom Preparation:
- Laptop and projector with speakers is required
- Desks cleared
Students will need:
- Materials provided by the Indigenous Centre
Time Frame:
60 minutes
Additional Resources:
This video describes the process of youth learning about pictographs in the Sto:lo Nation.

**The looms can be booked through the Ray & Millie Silver Library**
Warped small loom for each student (maximum 17 looms = 34 students) to produce their own weaving.
The presentation will begin with an explanation on the importance of Salish weaving to the Stó:lō people and explain the traditional weaving process from gathering the fleece to wearing the blankets. Examples of weaving patterns will be available for students to examine.
Elementary students will complete a small weaving that could be used as a personal wall hanging or as a gift. Middle School Students will complete a personal woven bracelet/cuff.
Materials required will be sent to the school by the Indigenous Centre prior to this presentation.
Classroom Preparation:
- Laptop and projector with speakers is required
- Desks cleared
- Teacher may consider inviting one or two parents to assist students with their weaving.
- Students arranged into pairs
Students will need:
-
Materials provided by the Indigenous Centre
Time Frame:
Elementary Schools: one full day
Middle Schools: 3 scheduled block times are needed
Salish Weaving Lesson Plan 2019.pdf
Exploring Patterns Through Coast Salish Weaving Lesson Plan.pdf

Using wooden doweling, students will make their own warrior stick. The four colours on the stick (black, red, yellow and white) symbolize a process for problem solving. This presentation is recommended for the beginning of the school year as an ongoing problem-solving tool to refer to.
Materials required will be sent to the school by the Indigenous Centre prior to this presentation.
Classroom Preparation:
- Laptop and projector with speakers is required
- Desks cleared
Students will Need:
- Ruler
- Pencil/pencil crayons/ crayons
Time Frame:
90 minutes