In December, classes at South Nelson learned about the oral tradition and how some nations recorded their histories through the Winter Count. We looked at the Lone Dog Winter Count as well as a few other examples, and discussed what each symbol might have meant. We then worked together as a class to choose one symbol for the year so far that was recorded on a whole class winter count, for each class in the school. The intent is to create a multi year history of each classroom and add to the Winter Count each new year in December. Students then had the opportunity to choose one symbol for their personal Winter Count from either their life at school or home which was recorded on a personal sheet and will be updated each year. Students will be able to look back and reflect on the major events on their time at South Nelson every year for years to come. 

So far this January we have been exploring different Pacific Northwest artists such as: Bill Reid, Don Yeomans, Freda Diesing, Mark Preston and Andy Everson. Students have learned about the history of this art style (creation story of the animal people, making the supernatural world visible), the principles of the design and the traditional shapes that are used (ovoid, u-shape, split u, t-shapes) and the meaning of the wolf in Pacific Northwest stories. Depending on the age of the class, students have been able to try a directed drawing of either an orca fin or a wolf head in the Pacific Northwest art style. Take a look at some of the beautiful art that was created!