Weekly Reading
This week I read a short newspaper article titled “The Spirit of the Medicine Will Lead Us Back - How Avis O’Brien is Guiding Elders to Weave Their First Cedar Hats" written by Anna McKenzie. The article explains how Avis O’Brien who is Haida and Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw was disconnected from her culture and living in a place that wasn’t her territory. Through participating in learning about cedar in Vancouver Avis was able to reconnect with her culture and feel inspired to want to share the experience of weaving with her elders on her territory. Now Avis runs weekly weaving classes where individuals get to come together to share stories and food while learning about their ancestry through weaving.
My first stop was connected to how the experience of the weaving class was described. It sounds like the workshop is structured to have time to connect on a personal level and not just about weaving. I wonder what the k-12 system can learn from this style and structure of learning. As a primary teacher I start most days with a soft start that allows students to connect and settle into school. I wonder what this looks like in upper elementary and in high school.
My second stop was connected to this quote “Weaving was one of those practices that went to sleep — it had to,” she says. “Our spiritual and cultural practices were targeted, specifically because that’s where our strength comes from.” As educators it is important for us to learn about Indigenous ways of knowing and being so we can help students understand. There is however a difference between a settler teaching about Indigenous ways of knowing versus an Indigenous person teaching about their way of living and being. I think it is important for Districts to make connections with local Indigenous groups as an act of reconciliation. Furthermore, this connection can lead to authentic learning experiences being brought into the classroom like weaving or language lessons.
Introduction, Videos, and Activity
I found the videos interesting to watch and noticed that I felt calm as I was watching. I experienced a similar sensation when I went to make my own rope. This was something I had never done before yet the experience was calming. I think this provides a great opportunity to integrate activities like this with students as it can also assist with self-regulation.
Last year my school had Red Cedar Women visit and teach all students how to weave a small cedar mat. Primary classes were paired with intermediate buddy classes to assist in the weaving. Students felt proud of what they made and had the opportunity to connect with different members of the school community. I am hopeful that this will be a tradition that my school continues for years to come!
Hi Amanda, thanks for sharing your insides into the Anna McKenzie article. I think it’s important that you mention how the weaving class wasn’t just to learn the craft, but to socialize and share. I’m sure your primary students benefit from the way you start each day. From the high school perspective, I can say it varies. It is a constant balancing act of making authentic connections to students and covering curricula.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like we had similar experiences with the videos this week, as I also felt a sense of calm watching them and then trying one. I wanted to make rope but didn’t really have the materials. How did yours turn out? I think working with our hands, completing repetitive tasks can be quite relaxing and could certainly be strategically used with students.
The weaving activity your school got to take part it sounds awesome! It’s nice that your younger students were paired with older students to act as mentors. Best of luck finishing up your final project :)