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“Paying attention is a form of reciprocity with the living world, receiving the gifts with open eyes and open heart.”
“To be native to a place we must learn to speak its language.”
“In some Native languages the term for plants translates to 'those who take care of us.'”
“The land knows you, even when you are lost.”
~Robin Wall Kimmerer
Ethnobotany
Ethnobotany
These days, most children can identify over 1,000 Corporate Logos but less than 10 native plants and animals. How many plants can you identify? Do you know the names of plants that are Indigenous to this area? Do you know which plants provide food and medicines to the local syilx Indigenous people?
As educators on syilx land, it is our responsibility to learn these teachings and create opportunities for our students to learn these teachings as well.
Land Acknowledgement
Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples.
kʷu ɬə c̕uləl’uʔs iʔ l təmxʷulaʔxʷs iʔ syilx tali əc haʔ stim aɬiʔ əc mistim axaʔ iʔ təmxʷulaʔxʷselx lut pənkin̓ k̕l swit t̕ə xʷic̕xmselx
It is the Time of the Sunflower Seeds!
It is the Time of the Sunflower Seeds!
Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/syilxlanguagehouse/
Find the PDF of the Ta’tupa - 2022 Spirit Bear Moon Calendar here.
Ethnobotany: Local Teachings
Ethnobotany: Local Teachings
As you watch these three videos, pay attention to what is sparking you.
As you watch these three videos, pay attention to what is sparking you.
Okanagan Women Elders' Stories: Plants & Medicines
Okanagan Women Elders' Stories: Plants & Medicines
Traditional Plant Teachings with Auntie Lucy
Traditional Plant Teachings with Auntie Lucy
Making Tule Mats
Making Tule Mats
Syilx Perspectives. Elder Marlene Squakin shares the significance and various uses of tule rushes and how they are connected to the syilx/Okanagan people, past and present (2017)
Ethnobotany Walking Tour
Ethnobotany Walking Tour
On June 8th, 2022, some of us went on an Ethnobotany Walking Tour with Jasmine Barnes. We then had wonderful conversations with Elder Grouse, Elder Pamela, and Jasmine Barnes. Don't worry if you missed it, we are hoping to offer an experience like this again next year.
On June 8th, 2022, some of us went on an Ethnobotany Walking Tour with Jasmine Barnes. We then had wonderful conversations with Elder Grouse, Elder Pamela, and Jasmine Barnes. Don't worry if you missed it, we are hoping to offer an experience like this again next year.
If you are interested in having Elder Pamela, Elder Grouse and/or Jasmine in your classroom, please e-mail pbarnes@shaw.ca.
If you are interested in having Elder Pamela, Elder Grouse and/or Jasmine in your classroom, please e-mail pbarnes@shaw.ca.
Here is some of what we experienced on our walking tour...
Here is some of what we experienced on our walking tour...
Chief spiƛ̓əm
Chief spiƛ̓əm
Bitterroot
Bitterroot
Found at the Mar Jok dog park
June 2, 2022
Moccasins
Moccasins
Lady Slipper Orchid
Lady Slipper Orchid
Found at Mission Creek
May 25, 2022
Chief siya
Chief siya
Saskatoon Berry
Saskatoon Berry
Found at the Mar Jok dog park
June 2, 2022
Page From Her Nature Journal During An Ethnobotany Walking Tour at the beginning of June: Alyvia, grade 5
Break Out Rooms & Share Out
Break Out Rooms & Share Out
In your break out rooms, please discuss:
What excites you most about learning more about the local Indigenous plants and their uses?
How might you engage your students in this learning? What ideas do you have?
What do you want to learn more about?
Sharing as a Whole Group:
Let's make our thinking visible to each other.
Resources
Resources
If you are interested in exploring ethnobotany and local indigenous plants with your students, here are some resources that will help you get started.
If you are interested in exploring ethnobotany and local indigenous plants with your students, here are some resources that will help you get started.
You will definitely want to check out this website which highlights syilx Okanagan Partnerships.
Dual Language Guide to Local Plants and Animals
Dual Language Guide to Local Plants and Animals
Working with a syilx apprentice knowledge keeper, Krystal Withakay, Parks Services produced the brochure, Central Okanagan: Guide to Common Plants and Animals (suqinaq̓inxʷ tmxʷulaxʷ : tmíxʷ uł yayat əts p̓lal), in English and nsyilxcən (where possible).
On this site you will find a language key which provides audio clips to help with pronunciation on common plants and animals in the Central Okanagan.
You can also get a copy of the dual language brochure at the Regional District of Central Okanagan, 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna, BC, V1W 3Z4. Phone: 250-763-4918. Email here.
Also check out this article about the first of 12 nsyilxcən language signs at BGC locations unveiled in kiʔláwnaʔ
Also check out this article about the first of 12 nsyilxcən language signs at BGC locations unveiled in kiʔláwnaʔ
Ethnobotany Slide Decks & Printable Cards: English Versions
Ethnobotany Slide Decks & Printable Cards: English Versions
Ethnobotany Slide Decks & Printable Cards: French Versions
Ethnobotany Slide Decks & Printable Cards: French Versions
FRANÇAIS Ethnobotany cards .pptxLearn how to say the names of these Indigenous Plants in nsyilxən
Learn how to say the names of these Indigenous Plants in nsyilxən
Indigenous Plant Scavenger Hunts
Indigenous Plant Scavenger Hunts
Free Apps To Help You To Identify Plants
Free Apps To Help You To Identify Plants
This is a free app that acts as a digital field guide, and allows students to become citizen scientists who explore and share their observations about the natural world. Use this app to identify plants and animals and everything in between.
This is a free app that is a digital field guide that allows you to use the power of image recognition technology to identify the plants and animals all around you. Earn badges for seeing different types of living things and participate in monthly observation challenges.
Reflection
Reflection
Please take a moment to reflect on what we have learned about local indigenous plants and what your intentions for your learning are moving forward. Make your thinking visible on Menti. Go to www.menti.com/anbwnsar98.
Land Based Session at Shannon Lake
Land Based Session at Shannon Lake
Nature Network Summer Pro-D
Nature Network Summer Pro-D
Join us this summer for the first Pro D day!
Join us this summer for the first Pro D day!
Why? To continue to connect and grow our land-based practice with other educators in the district.
What? Grow your nature-based learning tool box with colleagues.
When? Monday, August 29th 2022 (on the land)
Where? We are excited to share that we will be beginning our day at Mission Creek by the ECO Center with local syilx Knowledge Keeper and Artist Coralee Miller. The afternoon location is TBA.
Give Aways
Give Aways
Today, our winners will win one of the resources below:
Congratulations to our Session 7 winners:
Congratulations to our Session 7 winners:
Cindy Green: Project Wild
Angela Caron: Seed & Spark
Claire Barclay: The Outdoor Classroom in Practice Ages 3-7
We Would Love Some Feedback On The Nature Network: Let's Make It Even Better!
We Would Love Some Feedback On The Nature Network: Let's Make It Even Better!
Your feedback is really important to us because we want to make sure that this Nature Network is fulfilling your expectations and your learning needs.
If you haven't had a chance to give us feedback yet, we would love it if you could take a few minutes and fill out our feedback form.
Thank you!
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