This was a cross grade collaboration project between my Grade 10 homeroom class and our buddy class, which is grade 4/5 students. Different grades in our school were assigned a specific group of First Nations to learn about. We were assigned the Dene nation. I designed this oil pastel fish project based on the fish found in their traditional waters. My colleague found a handout which we printed out. Students chose a fish and we all worked together to make these. This was a very last minute project started at the end of this year, so my class unfortunately didn't finish. But the ones that did, well, I was really proud of their work!
The Dene are a group of First Nations whose traditional homeland, Denendeh, spans across the subarctic regions of the Northwest Territories, Yukon, northern Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia. Meaning "the people", they consist of several distinct nations including the Denesuline (Chipewyan), Tłı̨chǫ (Dogrib), Gwich'in, and Sahtu.
For thousands of years, fishing has been central to the survival, culture, and economy of the Dene. They primarily target freshwater species like Lake Whitefish, Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout, and Northern Pike in local lakes and rivers. Dene harvesters practice reciprocity by only taking what they need, avoiding waste, and sharing their catch with the community.
Students started by sketching out their fish on 12 x 19" kraft paper. They started with the lightest colour, white, and filled i where all the white areas are. Then they worked up to finally the darkest colours last. They were encouraged to blend colours for realism. We finished with adding scales and then cut them out.
Then we made a display label writing the fish species in English and Gwichʼin.
Here are some Grade 4/5 finished fish!
Here are the teacher fish:
Here are some Grade 10 fish- unfortunately many didn't manage to finish:
We hung the fish on blue cellophane paper taped to a glass wall:
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