Wagalus Elementary in Kwakiutl used a Healthy Schools BC First Nations Grant to teach students about traditional spirituality and cleansing. The grade 5 to grade 7 students participated in a hike along the Fort Rupert trail from Tsakis (Fort Rupert) to Port Hardy. This journey paralleled the travels of their ancestors along the same trail and during the journey, students identified and picked plants for medicinal purposes.
Furthermore, drummers joined the hike to assist with plant identification and facilitate traditional drumming and singing. Unfortunately, pandemic-related restrictions postponed the next step of the initiative.
However, when it is safe to do so Wagalus Elementary plans to have students paddle the Cluxewe river and participate in a cleanse to further their understanding of important traditional and spiritual practices.