Place-based Learning!
How do you incorporate where we live into your lessons?
Here are some quick connections to start!
Ketchikan, AK is more complicated than what is visible on the surface. On any summer day there are tourists, cruise ships and a whole lot of activities to do outdoors. On any winter day it's typically dark and residents tend to hunker down inside. Throughout the year cultural customs are observed by descendants of the Alaskan Native tribes and some non-native too. The sharing of knowledge is important to us and supports Our Way of Life. Southeast Tribal Values include "Hold Each Other Up." Please feel free to reach out to me via email at staceywilliamsweaver@gmail.com to start a conversation!
MATH: Did you know the number of warps in your weaving determines what design field you can place? For example, an even number of warps can produce a “Cockell shell” design with stacked color. An odd number of warps will result in a “wild strawberry” design with alternating rows of color.
ENGLISH: Mythology was passed down generation to generation along the coast for thousands of years. Some stories would be woven into a basket, tunic or cape. They could be painted, carved and even danced. The circularity in theses legends brings provides an anchor for thoughts.
SCIENCE: Did you know that water sources are extremely important to northwest coast artists? Some tasks call for strict rainwater, others a flowing stream. The mineral content can deeply affect the outcome. A cedar hat woven with only rainwater in different communities throughout southeast Alaska showed distinct rings of discolored material that correlated with the location where woven.
HISTORY: Many of the earlier expeditions to our area resulted in various publications that are becoming more dated as the years go by. While the sources used to research Northwest Coast Art are older, the information is still relevant and some are being renewed in expanded editions. Oral traditions passed down from our elders still serve as a testament to evolution along the coast.
Recommended reading:
Davidson, S. F. (2018). Potlatch as Pedagogy, Learning Through Ceremony. Winnipeg: Portage and Main Press.
Roderick, L, (2010). Alaska Native Cultures and Issues: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions. Seattle, WA. University of Washington Press.
Moore, E. L. (2018). Proud Raven, Panting Wolf Carving Alaska's New Deal Totem Parks. Seattle: University of Washington Press.
Holm, B. (2015). Northwest Coast Indian Art. Seattle: Bill Holm Center for the Study of Northwest Coast Art.
Dauenhauer, N. L. (1994). Haa K̲usteeyí, Our Culture: Tlingit Life Stories. Seattle, WA. University of Washington Press.
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