The Ways of our Ancestors introduces Witsuwit’en People and their history to the world. It explores the Witsuwit’en clan system in depth and how it relates to traditional Witsuwit’en land use, sprirituality and values. Oral histories from various eras in Witsuwit’en ancient history are shared, as well as recent history that formed the Witsuwit’en Nation and the Bulkley Valley as we know it today.
To order a copy, contact the LSC office at lscoffice@sd54.bc.ca
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The Heartbeat of Our Ancestors
The purpose of this project was to record traditional and contemporary Witsuwit’en music. The songs in this booklet are written as they were sung at the time of recording, and reflect the personal style and knowledge of the individual singers. We respectfully acknowledge that there may be variations in wording depending on who sings these songs. Since traditional times we have intermarried and feasted with our Gitxsan and Nedut’en (Babine) neighbours, which is why we share many of the same songs today, as included in this compilation. Our Elders shared their songs for the purpose of educating Witsuwit’en people. This project is not for profit, but for the benefit of our Nation. It is our hope that these songs and stories are not forgotten, and are shared with future generations of Witsuwit’en learners.
Copies of this book & CD set are available for purchase at a cost of $25.00 each through our Aboriginal Education Office located at 3603-3rd Ave., PO Box 758, Smithers BC V0J 2N0 or by email:
The Book is available as a downloadable PDF
CDs can be listed to or downloaded through these links
Untold History, Understanding the Impact of Indian Residential School on Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples, is a series of lessons created for students to develop an understanding of how residential schools impacted Aboriginal people across Canada. It is my hope that through these lessons, students will gain compassion and empathy for experiences faced by Aboriginal people in the past, and how these experiences continue to affect the Aboriginal community today.
By incorporating literature circles with the lessons found within this unit, the majority of learning outcomes for Grade 7 Language Arts will be met. As well, many of the learning outcomes for Social Studies are met. The recommended literature and corresponding lessons address the overreaching goal of the BC Social Studies curriculum which is “to develop thoughtful, responsible, active citizens who are able to acquire the requisite information to consider multiple perspectives and to make reasoned judgments. Students will be able to critically reflect upon events and issues in order to examine the present, make connections with the past, and consider the future.”
If the teacher has access to members of the Aboriginal community, it is recommended that speakers be brought into the classroom to tell firsthand how the experience of residential school impacted them and their families. If this is not possible, there are interviews available online. I have included several useful websites, and many more can be found through relevant searches.
Copies of this book are available for purchase at a cost of $25.00 each through our Aboriginal Education Office located at 3603-3rd Ave., PO Box 758, Smithers BC V0J 2N0 or by email:
Beasts and Berries (The Story of Tasdliz Bin), also known as Lake Kathlyn, has been told by several Witsuwit’en Elders. This version of the story was adapted by the students of Mrs. Mary Robertson’s K-1 class at Lake Kathlyn Elementary School. The children’s version introduces characters to the story, and a slight change in the scenario. The Elders’ versions also vary based on family traditions of storytelling. The main event of the story, the boiling of the lake, is the thread that binds all versions together. A glossary of Witsuwit’en words is also included.
Copies of this book are available for purchase at a cost of $4.00 each through our Aboriginal Education Office located at 3603-3rd Ave., PO Box 758, Smithers BC V0J 2N0 or by email:
The Witsuwit’en Alphabet Practice Book was created to teach phonologic awareness, and to give students an opportunity for printing practice. The blank alphabet pages are provided for students to create their own alphabet books. Young learners love to show off their own creations. Teachers may want to put together a book for each letter of the alphabet. Colouring pages are provided for early finishers, or for art projects.
Copies of this book are available for purchase at a cost of $15.00 each through our Aboriginal Education Office located at 3603-3rd Ave., PO Box 758, Smithers BC V0J 2N0 or by email:
The Witsuwit’en Language CD project is a direct result of the funding made available through the Aboriginal Education Branch of the Ministry of Education. School district No. 54 has a dynamic Aboriginal Education Program offered at all its schools. This CD will complement the existing Cultural Programs offered in each school. The goal of the Witsuwit’en Language CD is to give all students the opportunity to be exposed to the Witsuwit’en Language.
Copies of this CD are available for purchase at a cost of $5.00 each through our Aboriginal Education Office located at 3603-3rd Ave., PO Box 758, Smithers BC V0J 2N0 or by email: lscoffice@sd54.bc.ca