Indigenous Masks in Ms. Brandoli’s class

The students in Mrs. Brandoli and Ms. Scott’s grade 3 class created masks based on the Indigenous animals of the Secwepemc people. The students’ learning was guided by Ms. Laura, our Indigenous Support Worker. She explained the cultural significance behind each of the animals and told traditional oral stories of both the Secwepemc and Syilx peoples. The students learned about the gifts associated with each of these animals and their influence in Indigenous story telling. The students were also read a book called “Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox” and to show examples of what kind of masks they could create corresponding with their own individual personalities. In the class there were students who connected with the beaver (purposeful/determined), the raven (trickster/creative), the eagle (love/family oriented), the bear (wise/works collectively), and the coyote (trickster/transformative/helpful.) The class created these masks by coming up with a design plan on a piece of paper, using cardboard and hot glue to construct the base of the mask, paper mache to include texture, and paint to bring in the detail. Thank you for sharing Division 6. The uniqueness and creativity these students brought to each animal mask was spectacular.