Celebrating ɬaʔamɩn Culture at qSD’s 29th Annual Cross Culture Day
Last week, Grade 3 students from James Thomson, PIE, Edgehill, Kelly Creek, Westview, Henderson Elementary, Assumption, Powell River Christian, and École Cote du Soleil schools participated in Cross Culture Day, a special event led by the district’s Indigenous Education team in partnership with members of the ɬaʔamɩn (Tla’amin) Nation. Held at the Salish Centre, also known as the Nation’s gathering place, this year’s 29th annual event offered students a meaningful opportunity to connect with ɬaʔamɩn culture, stories, and traditions through hands-on learning and shared experiences.
Following a warm welcome, students and teachers divided into two groups. One group stayed at the Salish Centre to explore six learning stations: təχəmay (cedar), language, carvings, salmon prints, archaeology, and the χəwgəs (grizzly bear) and fish game, while the other group visited the neighbouring fish hatchery before swapping activities.
At the Salish Centre, each station offered students a window into different aspects of ɬaʔamɩn life. They discovered how cedar is traditionally used to make baskets, hats, bags, and tools, practiced speaking ʔayʔaǰuθəm words, admired Elder Melvin’s beautiful carvings from yellow cedar, and created their own salmon prints with paint. At the archaeology table, they explored tools and artifacts that were thousands of years old while learning about the history of ɬaʔamɩn lands. They also got to enjoy playing a game called “The Bear and the Fish,” a tag style game that connects movement with cultural storytelling.
At the fish hatchery, students learned about salmon and how two million eggs are fertilized there each year. They watched salmon up close through viewing windows and even got to see how salmon is traditionally barbecued over a fire.
The day concluded with delicious samples of fish soup, smoked salmon, and fresh bannock, lovingly prepared earlier that day by members of the ɬaʔamɩn Nation and supported by qathet School District staff. Cross Culture Day continues to be a meaningful tradition that fosters understanding, respect, and connection between students and the ɬaʔamɩn community.
With the utmost gratitude and appreciation, ʔimot (thank you) to the Indigenous Education team and the ɬaʔamɩn Nation community members for creating such a memorable and enriching experience for these young learners, and a special thank you to Evie Tom, who let us shadow her in the kitchen and showed us how traditional bannock is made! čɛčɛhaθɛč!
Watch a highlight video from the October 29th group here.
