Words and photos by Cara McKenna

Students in BC are learning about Coast Salish culture as part of a new Indigenous- focused curriculum.

Elementary students from several schools came to John Oliver high school in Vancouver recently for its inaugural Aboriginal education festival.

For part of the day, students gathered in a classroom for a cedar-weaving workshop led by Tsawwassen First Nation elder Loretta Williams. An experienced weaver, Williams explained traditional and modern practices before having the children make bracelets of their own.

Students also learned about canoe protocol, West Coast design and more as part of BC’s new curriculum that requires learning of Aboriginal culture and history. It will be fully launched in September.