Learning from the Land: Community Walk to Mohkinstsis

Today we walked to Mohkinstsis and back. Mohkinstsis is where the Elbow and the Bow rivers meet. Mohkinstsis means elbow in Blackfoot and Cree. The Bow River was named the Bow because it is lined with chokecherry bushes that were used to make the bow of a bow and arrow. The Elbow river was named the Elbow because of the shape it makes where the Bow and Elbow meet. Mohkinstsis is important because it is a traditional meeting places for many Indigenous groups. The Science word for this is the confluence.  

While we were at the meeting of the rivers, we completed a learning task where we drew and wrote important memories we each have at the rivers. Ms Elder brought watercolour pencil crayons and water brushes that we could use.

After snack and recess at the East Village playground, we completed some work for Science on Earth Systems. We took the opportunity of being at the river to study the hydrosphere, the animals who make their homes there, and how humans have impacted it. We filled in a chart to explain the human impact on the river and how we could respect it.

At the end of our walk, Ms Elder taught us the word reciprocity. This means giving back when you receive something. We showed reciprocity to the land by giving it back carbon dioxide from our breaths, a splash of water from our water bottles or thanking the land by saying something we learned.

Showing reciprocity

Student Quotes:

"I enjoyed not having to stare at the Smartboard all day." ~ EF

"I liked that we walked a lot and breathed a lot of fresh air." ~ Marko

"I saw a bunch of stuff outside that I've never seen before." ~ HC
"I saw some ladybugs and some natural items." ~ AA

"I liked moving my body and seeing different stuff." ~ VG

"I saw lots of plants and bugs." ~ Gillian

"I saw some berries and a squirrel." ~ Kaira

"I learned that when you're moving around, you think better." ~ Oscar

"I learned the word reciprocity." ~ Wynn

"I saw so many natures and plants but I didn't have enough water to plant them." ~ Ekagra