30 Years of Celebrating ɬaʔamɩn Culture, Community, and Learning

This fall marked the 30th anniversary of qathet School District’s Cross Culture Program. For three decades, students have been taking part in this special annual experience, celebrating ɬaʔamɩn (Tla'amin) culture, community, and learning.

This year, Grade 3 students from Westview Elementary, Edgehill Elementary, Kelly Creek Community School, James Thomson Elementary, PIE, and Henderson Elementary gathered in ʔəms ʔayɛ (Our House), ɬaʔamɩn Nation’s cultural centre for their Cross Culture Day. Students listened to stories and teachings about the four totem poles inside the building, and shared songs and dances before breaking into groups to explore a variety of learning stations. 

The different stations offered students opportunities to explore ɬaʔamɩn culture, history, and traditions. At the təχəmay (cedar) station, students discovered the many ways cedar can be used and viewed examples of cedar hats, headbands, carvings, and baskets, as well as different types of cedar roots. The archaeology station, hosted by ɬaʔamɩn Nation’s archaeology department, had a display of historical tools and objects made long ago from materials such as bone, slate, stone, and crystals, all found in this region.

Students also had the opportunity to step inside the food processing building to learn how canned salmon is prepared. Outside, they gathered around a warm fire to see how BBQ salmon is made and learned a few interesting facts about the fish, including how chum salmon transforms from their silvery appearance in the ocean into bold, colourful patterns as they enter freshwater to spawn (like pictured above). They later got to enjoy that salmon as well as some delicious fresh bannock!

The experience continued with a visit to the ɬaʔamɩn Salmon Hatchery, where students learned about the Pacific salmon life cycle and got a behind-the-scenes look at how the hatchery has been operating since 1977!

What began decades ago remains a meaningful tradition across our schools, creating opportunities for students to learn about ɬaʔamɩn culture, strengthen relationships, and deepen their understanding and respect for the ɬaʔamɩn Nation. ʔimot (thank you) to the qSD Indigenous Education team and the ɬaʔamɩn Nation community members who help make this special experience and program possible. čɛčɛhaθɛč!