Traditional Ecological Knowledge - Tree ID

Traditional Ecological Knowledge - Tree ID

Time of Year: All Year

Half Day Program

In this activity, students role play as a First Nation, Anishinaabe family (circa early 1800's) and try to survive using traditional knowledge of local trees. Perspectives of First Nations life are showcased as students must find and identify trees that their team requires to survive and identify using a tree identification key. The concept of biodiversity is highlighted by contrasting both traditional uses as well as modern industrial uses of trees. Recent effects of a changing ecosystem due to invasive species are also examined.