As you begin your journey at UBC, it is important to take some time to learn about the history of the land UBC Vancouver is situated on and its original inhabitants, the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation. As we recognize and respect the traditional stewards of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories, it is important that this recognition of Musqueam territory and our relationship with the Musqueam people don’t appear as just a formality. For that reason, we dedicate this week’s blog to take a moment, learn and reflect with one of the most amazing digital resources you will find at UBC, The Musqueam Teaching Kit: xʷməθkʷəy̓əm: qʷi:l̕qʷəl̕ ʔə kʷθə snəw̓eyəɬ ct – Musqueam: giving information about our teachings.
The Musqueam Teaching Kit: xʷməθkʷəy̓əm: qʷi:l̕qʷəl̕ ʔə kʷθə snəw̓eyəɬ ct – Musqueam: giving information about our teachings is a digital teacher resource that offers educators a unique opportunity to learn from Musqueam culture about their rich history, contemporary lives and the efforts they continue to make to safeguard our future. The Musqueam First Nation has provided a wealth of information on their community, past and present, in eight themed chapters with a digital teaching kit. Each chapter begins with quotes from Musqueam community members as a way to start the learning process and to reinforce that Musqueam people are sharing their history and their culture with us. The goal of the kit is to build a better understanding of Musqueam culture and history. To familiarize with Musqueam’s ancestral territory, their ancient roots and to learn the important role of language and stories in communicating knowledge through hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ stories from Musqueam people.
The Teacher’s Resource is organized into these eight chapters by themes. Each theme starts with relevant information or history. This is followed by a variety of information, resources, instructions, guided activities, and suggested discussion questions that draw on aspects of Musqueam’s rich culture. To find the Teacher Resource with the eight chapters please visit: The Musqueam Teacher Resource
- Chapter 1 xʷməθkʷəy̓əm—Musqueam: An Introduction
- Chapter 2 snəw̓eyəɬs tə xʷəlməxʷ—Teachings of the Community
- Chapter 3 xʷʔəw̓yaθənəq—Teaching Language
- Chapter 4 tə šxʷʔam̓əts tə šxʷməθkʷəy̓əm—Musqueam’s Ancestral Territory
- Chapter 5 šxʷqʷəlwə́nmət—Speaking Out: Voices of the Community
- Chapter 6 tə sʔa:nɬ syəθəs—Our History
- Chapter 7 ʔeləw̓k̓ʷ—Belongings
- Chapter 8 Curriculum Relevance
All of the learning resources are supported by the digital Teaching Kit. To start your digital experience, have some fun with the resources in the kit. There are panels, timelines, books, maps, and information about belongings, in addition to a range of digital resources. Check it out here: Teaching Kit. Many hearts, many hands, and many minds contributed to the creation of this educational resource. Funding was provided by Musqueam Nation, the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Museum Assistance Grant, the Vancouver Foundation, and West Point Grey Academy. We raise our hands in thanks to them all. 