Land-based Literacy - Smun’eem Books
The Smun’eem of Penelakut and Stz’uminus First Nation have come together to create many experiential books that feature their learning on the Land.
We Go Canoeing
"I love making books about our trails and canoeing. I have made two books now. I love reading books that we have made, because they are about us." Ramona Sylvester*
Each day, the smun'eem of Penelakut experience the world around them and then in return create inspiring work from these meaningful moments. Recently, the students have been inspired by their canoeing experiences - grounded in cultural understanding and canoe revitalization.
One student, Ramona Sylvester, wrote a story about her experiences and can be seen here reading this wonderful work.
Huy tseep q'u siem Stephen Sylvester, Leonard Merriman, Tim Pinkmann, Tal James, and Myra Joan James for allowing us to share this work and and make this possible.
*These photos and video have been posted with the support of Ramona's family to inspire literacy and learning.
Ni Tsun Le’lumut Tu,
I See
The kindergarten smun’eem of Penelakut Island have come together to create a Hul’q’umi’num’ story called, “Ni Tsun Le’lumut Tu, I See,” that shows all of the special things that they see in their community. The smun’eem worked with teachers, Elders, and each other to create this meaningful work. Huy ch q’u siem to Taunia Thomas, Patsy Brown, Crystal Johnny, Lexi Charlie, Char Crocker, Florence James, and Maegan Edwards.
My Hul’q’umi’num Book
The smun’eem of Penelakut Island Learning Centre have come together to create Hul’q’umi’num stories that show all of the special things that they see in their community. The smun’eem worked with teachers, Elders, and each other to create this meaningful work. Huy tseep q’u sii'em to Richie Smith, Karen Sommer, Bernice McKenzie, Leonard Merriman and Florence James.
All People and Trees Are Beautiful
The smun'eem of Penelakut Island Elementary School and Learning Center have come together to build the Spaal 'i' Skwitth'uts Shelh (Raven and Stellar Jay Trail) and the Trail to Shi'shum. This is one of many experiential books that have been created to show the beautiful learning on the trail.
All People and Trees are Beautiful, written and illustrated by Adeline Bob of the Penelakut First Nation, is a story that celebrates that just like trees, all people are beautiful and strong in their own ways. Adeline was inspired by her time out in the forest while trail building and decided to create a story. She wanted to recognize that all trees grow in different ways, just like all people grow in different ways, and that because of our diversity, all people and trees are beautiful.
