Grade 4/5 French Immersion students in Mme. Munn's and Mme. Bourne's at Homma Elementary participated in a Potlatch Simulation in late November. The event was organized in collaboration with Aboriginal Education Teacher Ms. Bone and involved learning and practicing the concepts of witnessing, gifting, legend sharing, and feasting.
Students learned that a Coast Salish Potlatch is not just a big party, but fundamental to social organization (e.g. due to the witnessing of marriages and naming ceremonies), has cultural significance (through the gifting of legends and songs), and is important economically due to the redistribution of wealth by the Potlatch host.
Prior to the Potlatch Simulation, students read the book "Secret of the Dance" which is based on an Kwakwaka'wakw elder's actual experience with the banning of the potlatch by the Canadian government from 1885-1951.
After learning the basic concepts and history of the Potlatch Ceremony, students prepared medicine bags and learned about the four sacred medicines of the medicine wheel. These were then gifted to the guest class during the potlatch simulation.
Before the potlatch, students worked in small groups learning a legend that they acted out for their guests. Bannock was also prepared by the host class for the feasting portion of the potlatch.
Prior to the potlatch students learned the Coast Salish Anthem (gifted by Chief Dan George) and they followed along to the beat of a traditional rawhide drum for the opening of the ceremony.
It was an incredibly meaningful and memorable afternoon that both students and teachers felt honoured to witness and participate in.
