The slopes of Mount Joy Snow Resort are the former stomping grounds of the Blackfoot and Cree Nations and are part of the Blackfoot Hills.
Grades 3 and 5 students from all five Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD) elementary schools learned about nature and the Indigenous history of the area on land-based learning field trips from Oct. 7-11.
The class outings were led by LPSD Indigenous consultants Clint Chocan and Winddancer
Waskewitch.
The idea was for students to participate in three “story walks” along the trail system. Students from Winston Churchill School had their field day on Oct. 10.
“They’re learning about the history of the Blackfoot Hills and how the Indigenous people used the land with landmarks,” said Chocan.
“They will be learning some of the world views we have as Indigenous people toward the land and the creatures.”
Chocan explained there’s a storyboard along each route with the first one sharing information on plants and animals.
He noted the second story is about the local region, history and culture, while the third stop explains the important Indigenous landmarks around the area.
Chocan says at one point in history, Mount Joy was part of the Blackfoot territory.
“What I share is how the Cree came onto the plains,” he said.
He notes the Blackfoot invited the Cree to help with some southern nations that were pushing their way north onto the plains.
In a nutshell, Chocan identified the Cree as woodland people when the Blackfoot sought their help.
“They had to adapt to the lifestyle on the plains and they had access to the buffalo then,” he said.
Craig Blythe, vice-principal of Winston Churchill, was stoked to see his classes learning about the land and the history of the Blackfoot Hills
firsthand.
“Clint does an awesome job of getting our day ready,” said Blythe that morning.
“He has QR codes that send us to videos or sound clips of elders and teachings about the plants that are here and the history we have on the paths about Blackfoot Hills.”
The weather was also favourable for a field trip.
“It’s not too hot; it’s not too cold and these kids are ready to get some exercise and learn about the land,” said Blythe.
Read more: Strathcona pumps $150,000 into Mount Joy
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