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Plants

"Replace the plant with a gift for its use." - William Sewi, April 18, 1993

Primary Objective:
The Dene rely heavily upon the use of plants in their daily lives. The Dene had many uses for plants in the past, both domestic and medicinal. Plants were also appreciated for their beauty in summer, indicating new life and plentiful food. The students will recognize the different kinds of plants in their area and know what their uses are.

	The Spiritual World		The Land
	The People		The Self
	Special Information for Teachers

The Land

Students will:

Name the parts of a plant (stem, leaves, roots, flowers, berries). (1-3)
Recognize, name and pick local plants (or parts) used for food, and prepare and taste the food. (K-6)
Recognize and name local plants which are harmful to people. (K-6)
Recognize, name and pick local plants used for dyes and use them to colour cloth, yarns, etc. (4-6)
Recognize, name and pick local plants used for various medicines. (See theme Earth Medicine.) (4-6)
Recognize, name and pick local plants which are used for other domestic purposes. (4-6)
Recognize the various plants on which animals feed and be able to locate these plants. (3-5)
Recognize behaviour which can lead to careless destruction of plants and identify how these can be prevented. (3-6)
- use of herbicides or other chemicals
- fire
Know that many people, especially elders, find great joy on the land during the summer when the plants are full of life. (K-6)
Know that local plants are used daily by the Dene, i.e. moss for diapers, doing dishes, brushes for floors, insulation (chinking log houses)

Experiences:

Students research from elders or grandparents where to go for certain plants. If not too far away, ask an elder to come along to help in identifying plants and their uses. (4-6)
Collect many different kinds of plants, dry and mount them, and then research names and uses of the plants. Have students do their own research and compare findings. Keep a record on a map to show where plants were found and record how abundant the plants were at those locations. (4-6)
While out on the land for picnics in the fall, choose one or two plants that children can collect for cooking. (K-4)
Go berry picking and make jams or pies or other desserts. (K-4)
Hear elders speak about the feelings they have for the summer and the peak of plant life. (K-6)
Take the time to be on the land simply to appreciate plant life in the summer when school first begins. (K-6)
Collect moss and experiment with its properties and its possible uses.
Collect and use plants for dyeing.
Collect muskeg lily pads to be used for decorative purposes