Today Kwak'wala Elder Sally Williams joined us in our classroom to share her teachings about Mother Earth, gardening and maya'xa̱la - which means respect in her traditional Kwak'wala language. We talked about the importance of giving back to our garden as we harvest foods and Sally told that her ancestors often used seaweed as an offering for harvest.
In order to show respect and welcome Elder Sally to our classroom, several students had roles to play:
Greeters: Two students greeted Sally at the front of the school, held the door for her, carried her things and brought her to our classroom.
Set Up: Two students prepared a chair both inside the classroom and out in our garden for Sally's comfort.
Drink: Two students were responsible for offering and bring Sally a drink of water.
Thank you: Two students presented Sally with a thank you gift for joining us and sharing her teachings.
Later we spent some time planting the first plants in our garden beds. Elder Sally shared a prayer in her Kwak'wala language and everyone planted some kale, broccolini, mint and marigold. We talked about how gardeners often choose companion plants for their gardens and Sally shared the teaching that if happiness and positive energy goes into something it will thrive.
Gilakas'la - thank you - to Elder Sally for joining us to start our garden and we look forward to watching it grow!
Do you have an Elder in your community? How does he or she help in your classroom?
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