Prior to European colonization, Indigenous peoples got what they needed from the land and water around them. Indigenous peoples have relied on salmon since the fish became abundant in the Fraser River about 5000-6000 years ago. They used native plants for food, medicine, building materials and more. This program explores the connection between Indigenous peoples, salmon, and the broader Fraser River Basin. Students experience the movement of salmon, storytelling and oral histories, and the many uses of native plants through an Indigenous perspective.

Grades: K-3                          Length: 1.5 hours                Maximum group size: 30 students

Program Components:

• Introduction to the First Salmon Ceremony through a storybook and discussion.
• Understand the stages of a salmon’s life cycle and migration by acting out the story of one salmon’s life.
• Learn about some of the edible and medicinal native plants in our region, and then create your own plant, including its uses.
• Hear the story of how sockeye came to the Fraser River from two First Nations elders. View map of the traditional lands of the First Nations people in the Fraser River Basin, and use a visual metaphor to understand how long the First Nations people have lived along the Fraser River.

Click here to see how this program supports BC’s New Curriculum.

Click here for pre- and post-trip activities.

Indigenous people have relied on salmon since the fish became abundant in the Fraser River about 5000-6000 years ago. This program explores the connection between Indigenous people and salmon on the Fraser River. Students get hands-on experience with fishing technology, learn about wind-drying salmon, and discover that salmon is in the hearts of Indigenous people living along the Fraser River today.

Grade: 4-7                           Length: 1.5 hours                Maximum group size: 30 students

Program Components:

• Watch and discuss a film, featuring two Indigenous Elders telling stories about how Salmon came to the Fraser River, and their connections to the Fraser River.
• Explore authentic and replica tools to learn about Indigenous fishing techniques, and create a group presentation.
• Learn about wind-drying salmon through the replica drying rack, and practice sharpening a kwetsetel (Indigenous slate knife).

Click here to see how this program supports BC’s New Curriculum.

Click here for pre- and post-trip activities.

The Fraser River is one of the world’s great rivers not only in its contribution to the environmental, cultural, and historical wealth of British Columbia, but because of its current pivotal role in the economy of BC.  We are going to explore how people have used and shared the resources of the Fraser River, focusing on the tumultuous time when Indigenous peoples and fur traders shared the river.

Grades: 4-7                          Length: 1.5 hours               Maximum group size: 30 students

Program Components:

• Visual presentation introducing the history of trade on the Fraser River.
• Learn proper archaeological protocol, excavate archaeological artifacts, and learn what each represents.
• Keep an archaeologist’s journal, drawing diagrams and answering questions about stone and metal tools.
• Play a fun and competitive game to understand the value of items traded between First Nations and European traders.

Click here to see how this program supports BC’s New Curriculum.

Click here for pre- and post-trip activities.

The Fraser River is one of the world’s great rivers not only in its contribution to the environmental, socio-cultural, and historical wealth of British Columbia, but because of its current pivotal role in the economy of BC.  We are going to explore how people have used and shared the resources of the Fraser River, focusing on the tumultuous time when Indigenous peoples and Fur traders shared the river.

Grades: 2-5                          Length: 1.5 hours               Maximum group size: 30 students

Program Components:

• Visual presentation introducing the history of trade on the Fraser River.
• Read a story about voyageurs and play an interactive quiz game to test your knowledge.
• Keep an archaeologist’s journal, drawing diagrams and answering questions about stone and metal tools.
• Play a fun and competitive game to understand the value of items traded between First Nations and European traders.

Click here to see how this program supports BC’s New Curriculum.

Click here for pre- and post-trip activities.

Indigenous people have relied on salmon since the fish became abundant in the Fraser River about 5000-6000 years ago. This program explores the connection between Indigenous people and salmon on the Fraser River. Students get hands-on experience with fishing technology, learn about wind-drying salmon, and discover that salmon is in the hearts of Indigenous people living along the Fraser River today.

Grade: 4-7                           Length: 1.5 hours                Maximum group size: 30 students

Program Components:

• Watch and discuss a film, featuring two Indigenous Elders telling stories about how Salmon came to the Fraser River, and their connections to the Fraser River.
• Explore authentic and replica tools to learn about Indigenous fishing techniques, and create a group presentation.
• Learn about wind-drying salmon through the replica drying rack, and practice sharpening a kwetsetel (Indigenous slate knife).

Click here to see how this program supports BC’s New Curriculum.

Click here for pre- and post-trip activities.