Sydenham High School Students Travel Back in Time to Explore the Early Contact between the French and First Peoples of Turtle Island.

Paddles dip into lake waters. Songs float through the forest. Stories pass generation to generation. With recipes inspired by historical realities of this time and available harvest elements our students research, prepare and serve the cultural past on a campside plate. Traversing French and English plus listening to Michif, our forty students reflect upon the realities of the early fur trade. Why was a beaver pelt revered? How did explorers cross long, dangerous waters from coast to coast all in the effort of trading sea otters and other fur bearing mammals?  How did the introduction of guns impact the lives and traditions of First Peoples?  This semester, with the participation of our LDSB Indigenous Education Team, Gould Lake Educators, our incredible SHS culinary, French language and outdoor educators our students will "see themselves there" through this six part, multi disciplinary venture beginning this Thursday, Sept. 18.