Iyiniw Maskikiy (Cree)

Nature�s Hidden Gifts

Morris Brizinski

Valley View School

Beauval, SK, Canada

 

 

Rekindling Traditions
Cross-Cultural Science & Technology Units
(CCSTU)

Series Editor

Glen Aikenhead
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK, Canada

 

CURRICULUM CONNECTION

Grades 6-11, plants

 

OVERVIEW

An Aboriginal perspective on Mother Earth and the value of respect for her plants is established early in the unit. Local knowledge is given validity. Scientific ideas about how plants work (from the point of view of Western science) are introduced as useful stories. Throughout the unit, the students' efforts go into producing a "published" book about the uses of plants found around Beauval. Duration: about 20 classes.

 

PURPOSE

This unit is designed to enrich the knowledge about local plants for both students and community members. The approach taken is to have community members tell their story of how plants have played a part in their past and present lives. In this way we hope to continue the respect people have for Mother Earth and all the gifts she has provided and continues to provide.

In the past almost all families had an intimate understanding of the power that plants had to better their lives. Today, there are known keepers of knowledge regarding medicinal plants. However, the number of people practising herbal medicine is declining rapidly. This unit is an effort to revitalize an interest in plants for more than just lumber and paper. It attempts to touch the spiritual nature that plants played in peoples lives not so very long ago.

 

GOALS

  1. People from all cultures respect and appreciate Nature�s gifts.
  2. All life forms, no matter how small, are considered important and significant.
  3. By respecting plants, we are protecting Mother Earth.
  4. Plants have homes and communities just like animals and people.
  5. Plants have power to heal. Plants help animals and people survive.
  6. Plants are a part of the spirit world and people can connect to the spirit world through plants.
  7. Aboriginal science helps us understand how plants grow and develop.
  8. Western science helps us understand how plants grow and develop.
  9. We can learn about plants from each other.
  10. Get students to interact with their environment and their community.
  11. Introduce students to career possibilities related to science and engineering.

 

OBJECTIVES

Students will:

appreciate that people have used plants for various purposes for a long period of time.
visualize interrelationships between plants, animals, and people.
identify 2 classification systems � Aboriginal and Western Science � and place plants into either classification system.
produce a book on plant usage around the community.
retell the creation story of Sweet Grass.
record usage of a wide variety of plants.
classify plant usage into medicine, technology, and food.
list 25 plants and their uses.
identify 25 plants in their habitat.
describe how plants have special adaptations and change seasonally.
define the terms habitat and community

 

LESSONS

Introduction

Lesson 1: Introduction
Lesson 2: The Ultimate Taste Test
Lesson 3: Respecting Mother Nature
Lesson 4: The Circle of Life
Lesson 5: Plant Homes
Lesson 6: Going on Line

Understanding the Power of Plants

Lesson 7: "The Indian Way"
Lesson 8: Plant Stories Around Beauval:
Jim Lafleur�s father - tamarack
Linda Lafleur�s mother - moss & leaves
Marianne Morin - birch sap
Bill Dinsdale - maple sap
Angie Mihalicz - mint
Lesson 9: The Legend of Sweet Grass Lesson 10: Plant Stories from Around the Community
Lesson 11: Sweeter than Roses
Lesson 12: A Guide to 20 Plants and Their Uses
Lesson 13: Visiting the Web Site

Knowing Plant Basics

Lesson 14: Plant Groups
Lesson 15: Give Me a Home Where the Deer and the Antelope Play
Lesson 16: Plant Identification
Lesson 17: Writing a Book
Lesson 18: Evaluation

Appendix A     Circle of Life

Appendix B     Example of a Student Booklet

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La Ronge, SK S0J 1L0
(306)425-3302

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