Instructions:
1. Students are to access the Language Scavenger Hunt worksheet on a device or given a printed version. This worksheet has images and names of the following plant species in English, Anishinaabemowin, and Kanyen’keha. The digital version also has audio clips on how to pronounce each word.
- Mullein
- Wild strawberry
- Juniper
- Goldenrod
- Dandelion
- Staghorn sumac
- Maple
- White Pine
- Cattails
For an extra challenge students can also try to find:
- Plantain
- Red-osier dogwood (aka red willow)
- Stinging nettle
- Wild raspberries
- Horsetail
- Milkweed
- Yarrow
- Burdock
- Tansy
- Solomon’s seal and,
- Pennycress
Students set out to find the above plant species either at Elbow Lake or at a park or playground near their school. Students check off each plant species as they find them.
2. Back in the class teacher shows students this video segment of community member Deb St. Amant leading a short medicine walk. Mandy Wilson has mixed Kanyen’keha:ka and Anishinaabe heritage but in the video shares primarily Anishinaabe teachings. Many of the key species listed above are discussed in the video.
3. To learn more about the Kanien’kehá:ka relationship to local plant medicines we recommend you show the following videos depicting Ra’nikonhrí:io Lazare and Katsenhaién:ton Lazare from Kahnawake Quebec provide teachings about Mullein, Staghorn sumac, Plantain, and Milkweed. These videos were developed in partnership with the Kanien’kehá:ka Onkwawénna Raotitióhkwa Language and Cultural Center.
- Mullein: Onkwanónhkwa Episode 1
- Staghorn Sumac: Onkwanónhkwa Episode 2
- Plantain: Onkwanónhkwa Episode 3
- Milkweed: Onkwanónkwa Episode 4
4. Students can also learn more about local plant species by checking out the interpretive signs and app stations developed by the Queen’s University Biological Station in partnership with the Kingston Indigenous Language Nest. Signs are available in the Trail Signs worksheet and in person on the accessible trail at the Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre.
