Lessons for Children in K-2
The Snoqualmie Tribe worldview follows seasonality that fosters observations of nature informing cultural teachings and honoring the experiences of generations of Snoqualmie people. Each season brings different teachings that are passed down through oral traditions. The changing of the seasons shows Snoqualmie people how to live with nature and inform the decisions the Snoqualmie Tribe makes for their communities. In preparing for each season, Snoqualmie people can rely on each other and the knowledge of their ancestors by practicing oral traditions.
See below for seasonal lesson plans
Spring: Origin of the Seasons
Snoqualmie Tribal teachings that are passed down through oral traditions represent the true history of the Snoqualmie people. Students will learn the importance of storytelling in Snoqualmie culture by listening to the traditional Snoqualmie story, “Origins of the Seasons” as told by Chief Jerry Kanim. Through learning the elements of a story and the presence of Lushootseed language, students will learn how to respect the stories of others. The plants and animals significant to this season include Rabbit and Bear, and camas, which is a flower whose bulb is a first food of the Snoqualmie people.
Materials
Helpful Resources
References
- Snoqualmie Tribe Website
- Activity 1: Valley of the Snoqualmie map
- OSPI Elementary Pathway 1 Stories and Histories of Our Place
Resources
- Activity 1: Rabbit Power Song
- Activity 1: Bear Power Song
- Using Word Sorts to Help Students Recognize Word Patterns
- Lushootseed for Bear & Rabbit | Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Culture Department Website
- Plant Names in Lushootseed | Snoqualmie Indian Tribe Culture Department
- Chapter 4. Phonics: Breaking the Code to Words – Methods of Teaching Early Literacy.
- Planting Camas in the sdukʷalbixʷ baqʷab Blog Post
- Spring Camas Blog Post
Summer: Canoe Journey
The annual Canoe Journey is an intertribal event that includes Tribes and canoe families from Washington, Oregon, Alaska, British Columbia, and even further. The summer season gives us the opportunity to travel between Tribes and celebrate our cultures, languages, and way of life. Each year, Tribes take turns hosting the Canoe Journey and all canoes travel to the host, visiting other Tribes along the way. Hosting the Canoe Journey is a big responsibility and it requires thoughtful planning so that everyone can enjoy visiting and during the Final Protocol, which takes place on the traditional territory of the hosting Tribe and involves a schedule of Tribes sharing songs and dancing for all to see.
Materials
Helpful Resources
Autumn: Stories, Salmon, and Sovereignty
This season is very important in the history of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. On October 6, 1999, the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe was federally recognized a second time after the U.S. federal government failed to provide the Snoqualmie a reservation and their treaty rights in the early 20th century. This is also an important time for many animals that are significant to the Snoqualmie Tribal culture. Salmon have always been a vital resource for the Snoqualmie people who have lived on salmon spawning waterways since time immemorial. But salmon aren’t seen only as a food source, Snoqualmie people treat them with respect as a living relative with their own cultural significance.
Materials
- Little Silver Salmon Panel
- The Puyallup Tribal Language Department YouTube “Little Silver Salmon” told by Chief Earnest Barr, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. Song presented, “Salmon Homecoming” by Ty Satiacum, Puyallup Tribe. Video 1.
- The Puyallup Tribal Language Department YouTube “Little Silver Salmon” told by Chief Earnest Barr, Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. Song presented, “Salmon Homecoming” by Ty Satiacum, Puyallup Tribe. Video 2.
- Snoqualmie Rights Day Song
- Sample Graphic Organizer
Helpful Resources
Extension Activities
- Life cycle of Pacific Salmon YouTube
- Salmon Song YouTube
- Pacific Salmon Run Educational Rap YouTube
- Kokanee Salmon Workbook PDF
- Virtual School Days – Salmon Homecoming
References
- Snoqualmie Tribe Website Logo
- Snoqualmie Rights Day Website
- Recreation Impacts on Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Lands StoryMap
- “Tribal Status Open Doors” News Article PDF
- “Federal government recognizes the Snoqualmie Tribe on October 6, 1999” Essay Lesson Plan
Resources
Winter: Snoqualmie Creation Narrative
Storytelling is a major cultural practice for the Snoqualmie people that requires responsibility from both the storyteller and the listener. Storytellers are trusted to hold the stories that were told before them so they can be told in future generations. Listeners are expected to focus on the storyteller, observe the way a story is told, and reflect on the story elements that are important for their community. In this lesson, students will learn about the Snoqualmie people’s creation narrative, which is regarded as the true history of their community. There are many versions of this story that differ between families and individuals, but the major characters and place names always remain.
Materials
- Creation Story Panels
- Snoqualmie Tribe Creation Story Coloring Book
- Moon the Transformer, Jerry Kanim – Puyallup Tribal Language Program
- Moon the Transformer, Jerry Kanim – Puyallup Tribal Language Program
- Moon the Transformer, Jerry Kanim – Puyallup Tribal Language Program
- Regional Learning Project Maps of Tribal Lands OSPI
- Valley of the Snoqualmie Map PDF
- Valley of the Snoqualmie Map Web Page
Helpful Resources
Extension Activities
References
Resources