“ In our second semester , we learn how to make arrowheads from obsidian , the same way they were made pre-contact with settlers ,” says Silverthorne , giving an example of how this plays out . “ But Alberta doesn ’ t have natural obsidian ; it came here from around St . Anthony , Idaho . So , while we learn a hands-on skill , we talk about the real history of the land : How did the obsidian get here ? Did Indigenous peoples trade ? Did they travel ? The kids learn about real social studies , real history , and real community interaction .”
Silverthorne also emphasizes literacy in his program as an introduction to the kinds of knowledge students will pursue . Wilderness novels like Gary Paulson ’ s Hatchet — already well-loved in Canadian classrooms — are a perfect fit . “ Hatchet is about a kid , Brian , same age as our students , who gets stranded in the wilderness ,” says Silverthorne . “ But he survives and lives really well because he has some good skills to lean on . And those are the same skills the students are going to learn . Brian learns to make a spear to catch fish ; we learn to make a spear to catch fish . Brian learns to cook his fish over the fire , and we do the same thing .”
Because of the age differences of the students , Silverthorne pairs up younger and older readers as reading buddies so more experienced readers can help younger ones with challenging books .
While they read together , they learn how to communicate and support each other ’ s learning . “ In a classroom , many kids can ’ t do a physical skill or an academic skill , and they end up feeling ostracized ,” Silverthorne says . “ We don ’ t allow that . Everyone supports each other ’ s development .”
And it ’ s not just students who support each other — Silverthorne invites parents and volunteers to assist in the lessons , too . Alana Schamber has three children in the program , and she is grateful for the opportunity for her kids to learn what it means to be good stewards of the land . “ I think it ’ s important to learn about the land you ’ re living on , and the people who first inhabited it ,” she says . “ We love nature and the way it connects us to each other . I want my kids to develop a relationship with it and a respect for it .”
Land-based learning is becoming more common in schools and curricula across Canada as a teaching tool for both reconciliation and environmental consciousness . Silverthorne believes that it can be a powerful tool for all who want to live in harmony with the land . “ We believe that on this land , there ’ s room for all ,” he says . “ We don ’ t own it because the Creator made it for all of us , and so we share it . The knowledge that has been given to me is not for me to keep but to be passed on to the young people . If you want to live with the land , you have to take care of it .” news & views SPRING 2023 | 31