PENTICTON, BC — The entire West Bench Elementary School student body took their learning outside of the classroom Thursday.
The special field trip aims to teach students about how First Nations lived hundreds of years ago and the importance of biodiversity.
Ellen Simmons, the coordinator of this Syilx Indigenous land-based learning project, says the two subjects go hand-in-hand.
“So often when we are learning about culture and language of a First Nations group, so much of it is tied to nature,” explains Simmons.
The school’s principal says 40% of the student population is made up of Penticton Indian Band members, so learning about Aboriginal culture is important.
“We want our PIB students to especially appreciate and recognize who they are, and to be proud of that. We also want the rest of the school to be proud of that and enjoy the activities,” says Allen Beckingham.
This project is funded by the Vancouver Foundation and the Foundation of the South Okanagan.
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