The 2023 Métis Cultural Camp was held recently at Glenora Trailheads Park, and elementary students from select schools around the district were treated to a day filled with learning and hands on (and sometimes delicious) opportunities to discover and explore Métis history and traditions. This yearly event sees members of the Cowichan Valley Métis Nation partner with Cowichan Valley School District Métis Cultural Teaching Assistants to provide this exceptional learning opportunity.
Students broke into groups and explored a number of traditional experiences and heard from Old Ones and Knowledge Holders about the history of the Métis people and how their vibrant culture formed, survived and thrived over hundreds of years. Hands on activities included bannock making, tomahawk throwing, dancing, Red River Cart pulling and stories on their use, the use of birch bark canoes and a history of trapping and trade.
Students left the event with new knowledge about Métis culture and their history that they were able to turn into action.
