Gitanyow Independent School used a Healthy Schools BC First Nations School Grant to provide more opportunities for students to learn and connect with Gitxsan foods and food traditions through three activities:
- The school incorporated more traditional meats into their lunch program. Community members donated locally caught salmon and moose meat over the winter and the school spent some of their funds on flour for traditional bread making, rice for fish and rice, and vegetables to make moose meat stew. The school principal reported that students love eating traditional meals, particularly salmon and oolicans.
- Community elders attended the school’s Gitxsan Culture class to share stories of their history and their memories hunting, trapping, and fishing as youth.
- Two intermediate classes went on full-day hunting trips with two local hunters. Students learned the basics of safe hunting and navigating the terrain, as well as a bit of tracking.