Lessons for Grades 3-5

In this lesson, students will explore the intricate connections among geography and oral tradition throughout Snoqualmie culture. Places like Mt. Si, Meadowbrook, Snoqualmie Falls, Rattlesnake Mountain, and Swing Rock are sacred places and landmarks that help tell the Snoqualmie people’s stories and creation narrative. Through skills of observation and personal connection, this lesson shares the true history of the Snoqualmie people. Each place is described through sound and sight that is supported by exploration of Snoqualmie Tribal traditional stories, Lushootseed language, and activities. Students will engage with places sacred to the Snoqualmie people through interactive stations that utilize different kinds of geographical maps.

In this lesson, students will begin by reflecting on the importance of water to themselves and to human life in general. They will listen to the story of “Moon the Transformer,” as told by Snoqualmie Tribal Elder Ron Enick, which details parts of the Snoqualmie people’s creation narrative. These activities will be followed by watershed topics like how waterfalls are formed and the distribution and movement of water on the Earth’s surface. All these topics will culminate into comprehension of collaborating Western science and Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). The principle of TEK is recognized by the United Nations as rights for Indigenous peoples, but it is often excluded from “best available science” practices especially when they relate to climate change topics. When TEK is integrated in the teaching of sciences, students will better understand the connection between sciences and Indigenous rights. This lesson ends with learning about ways the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe is working to protect, preserve, and enhance water and land resources at and around Snoqualmie Falls for use and enjoyment by current and future generations.