Presentation Abstract
Traditional Swinomish culture relies on water dependent livelihoods in the Salish Sea, centered on the Swinomish Reservation near La Conner, Washington. A common saying at Swinomish is “when the tide is out, the table is set”; Subsistence shellfish harvests are common and Swinomish people call themselves the “People of the Salmon.” Without a clear understanding of the interconnectedness of nature, and a sense of stewardship over the land, our natural resources and traditional lifeways may be threatened. Between Two Worlds is a youth education program to give Swinomish high school students a greater appreciation of the land and environment and provide them with the cultural and scientific tools to be good stewards. Program goals are: 1) provide experiential learning to students in indigenous science with an option to earn high school credit; 2) foster the next generation of stewards; and, 3) expose youth to Tribal role models and tribal careers in STEM. Broader objectives include strengthening relationships within the community, learning, sharing, and archiving traditional knowledge, and providing tools to help our people work both in and outside our tribal community. By teaching traditional indigenous science, modern technology, and environmental issues, we hope to help repair the trauma Indigenous people have experienced over generations. The program also helps at-risk students gain science credit for graduation through an innovative partnership with the local school district, a need identified by the Tribal education department. Each teaching unit or subject includes classroom-style education and field data collection for educational/illustrative purposes, with curricula and activities that integrate science and culture. Field activities occur at local beaches, forests, and estuaries of historic and cultural value to the Tribe, consistent with traditional place-based values. Curriculum will be archived for future use for Swinomish educators or other tribal communities hoping to institute similar programs.
Session Title
Track: Education, Community & Social Science – Posters
Conference Track
Education, Community & Social Science
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2020 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
2020_abstractID_4693
Start Date
21-4-2020 9:00 AM
End Date
22-4-2020 4:45 PM
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Indians of North America--Education (Secondary)--Swinomish Indians of the Swinomish Reservation, Washington; Place-based education--Curricula--Swinomish Indians of the Swinomish Reservation, Washington; Curriculum planning--Social aspects--Swinomish Indians of the Swinomish Reservation, Washington; Culturally relevant pedagogy
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Swinomish Indians of the Swinomish Reservation, Washington
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Between Two Worlds Indigenous High School Science Program
Traditional Swinomish culture relies on water dependent livelihoods in the Salish Sea, centered on the Swinomish Reservation near La Conner, Washington. A common saying at Swinomish is “when the tide is out, the table is set”; Subsistence shellfish harvests are common and Swinomish people call themselves the “People of the Salmon.” Without a clear understanding of the interconnectedness of nature, and a sense of stewardship over the land, our natural resources and traditional lifeways may be threatened. Between Two Worlds is a youth education program to give Swinomish high school students a greater appreciation of the land and environment and provide them with the cultural and scientific tools to be good stewards. Program goals are: 1) provide experiential learning to students in indigenous science with an option to earn high school credit; 2) foster the next generation of stewards; and, 3) expose youth to Tribal role models and tribal careers in STEM. Broader objectives include strengthening relationships within the community, learning, sharing, and archiving traditional knowledge, and providing tools to help our people work both in and outside our tribal community. By teaching traditional indigenous science, modern technology, and environmental issues, we hope to help repair the trauma Indigenous people have experienced over generations. The program also helps at-risk students gain science credit for graduation through an innovative partnership with the local school district, a need identified by the Tribal education department. Each teaching unit or subject includes classroom-style education and field data collection for educational/illustrative purposes, with curricula and activities that integrate science and culture. Field activities occur at local beaches, forests, and estuaries of historic and cultural value to the Tribe, consistent with traditional place-based values. Curriculum will be archived for future use for Swinomish educators or other tribal communities hoping to institute similar programs.
