School Programs -2009 Season!

Siksika Way of Life School Programs. 

Please call Yvonne Black Horse at 1-403-734-5328 or email yvonne@blackfootcrossing.ca to discuss your class’s programming needs.

Up-coming Classes

BCHP once again is offering Blackfoot Language Classes to Siksika Nation members!  They will be starting December 1st, 2009 and running every Tuesday afternoon from 1:00pm -3:00pm.  Here Nation members can take introductory conversational Blackfoot with a fluent Blackfoot speaker.  They can be beginners or just want to brush up on their skills.  These classes are for all Siksika Nation members!  Classes will run:

     December 1st, 1:00 – 3:00 in BCHP’s library
     December 8th  1:00 – 3:00 in BCHP’s library
     December 15th 1:00 – 3:00 in BCHP’s library

*the Blackfoot Language Program will not be over the Christmas break but will start back up on a regular basis in January, 2010.  They will continue throughout the winter.

Where:   BCHP library
When:  every Tuesday.   Call Yvonne Black Horse @ 1-403-734-5328 for more information.

BCHP is proud to once again offer  our Community Cultural Programming starting December 3rd, 2009.  New sessions ranging from “How to Make Your Own Hand Drum” to “Traditional Plants & Their Uses” will be offered! The sessions are designed to be drop-in classes where Siksika nation members can drop in and learn from community resources about these various cultural topics. See the listing of sessions below.

Call Irvine Scalplock at: 403-734-5395
or email: irvinesl@siksikanation.com for more information on the dates and times of classes. See our session listing below.

*the Cultural Programming will not be over the Christmas break but will start back up on a regular basis in January, 2010.  They will continue throughout the winter.
Where:   BCHP, register at the front desk
When:  every Thursday.   Call Irvine Scalplock @ 403-734-5395 for more information.

Arts & Crafts:

Participants will work with various materials to construct contemporary objects; dance outfits, drums, shadow boxes, miniatures, hide paintings, ledger art. Resources will be from the community which would include; artists, craftsmen, artists, woodworkers. Construction materials will be supplied by BCHP.
This activity will involve nature walks to select materials for construction.

Artifacts Reproductions:

Participants will learn the traditional techniques of constructing the material culture of the early plains period. Construction material will include; feathers (imitation), furs, leather, rawhide, beads, Stroud, wood, metals.
This program will involve a field trip to local museums and Interpretive Centers.

Dancing & Drumming:

Participants will learn the Blackfoot style of drumming and singing. Resources will be available from the community. Materials for this session will include; drums, drum sticks, and drum stands.
At the conclusion of this program, participants will demonstrate their newly learned techniques at the Siksika Celebration in August.

Traditional Plant Study:

This activity will center on plants used by the Blackfoot. Information will be shared that include the study of plants and their medicinal & ritualistic components. The role of plants in the religious and ceremonial life was essential to the Blackfoot. An example of the types of plants used by ceremonialists will include; sweet grass, sage, tobacco, saskatoons, creeping juniper, balsam fir, etc.
This program will involve a field trip within the community.

Traditional Land Study:

Traditional lands will include the history of Blackfoot Territory, great sand hills, coal mines, bow river ecosystem, sun dance valley, Blackfoot Crossing, earth lodge village, whiskey trading post, crowfoot ferry and Majorville Medicine Wheel, etc. Resources will be from the community.
This program will include a field trip to historic sites.

Traditional Cooking:

This program will include traditional cuisine such as; pemmican, smoked meat, fry bread, saskatoon berry soup, etc. This program will be an outdoor/indoor activity. Resources will be from the community.

Traditional Clothing:

This activity will include the construction of traditional clothing using material such as; stroud, deer/elk hides, print material, beads, elk teeth, bone, ribbon, cloth, etc. Resources for this program will be available from the community.
This program will involve a field trip to local museums to study traditional clothing.

Museum Studies:

The study of museums includes; collection management, mount making, display techniques, care & handling, temporary exhibits, artifact cleaning, etc.
This program will involve a field trip to local museums.

Tipi Raising Techniques:

This program will include; Blackfoot style tipi's (4 pole), tipi etiquette, tipi furnishings, tipi pegs, tipi poles, canvas, liners, pins, tipi anchor. Resources will be from the community with assistance from tipi owners.
This program will be an in-door/out-door activity.

Archery:

This program will include the construction of a traditional Blackfoot bow and arrows. Participants will learn the various styles of bow including; Re-curve bow, straight bow, and compound bows. Resources will be available from the community.
This will be an outdoor activity.