Level 2 – Exploratory Learning (Upper Elementary/Middle School) | Subsistence & Foods | Kinesthetic Learning, Direct Instruction

Goldbelt Heritage Foundation Was’x’aan tleigu Salmonberries To the Tlingit people, berries mean more to them than just fruit to eat. People often have emotional, social, and cultural ties to harvesting berries. In order to ac- quire large quantities, one must be able to rec- ognize where they grow. This requires a consider- able amount of knowledge about the lo- cal ecology of the land. This process also de- mands organization, to harvest, process, and dis- tribute this great gift. Much like other events that involve food, this process naturally strength- ens social ties and friend- ships amongst family and friends. At a Koo.eex, or potlatch, the gifting of berries is one of the great celebrat- ed events. The giving of berries symbolizes the hosts’ gratitude and reciprocity to their guests. Berries are said to “hold” or represent the land- scape. They symbolize material, social and spir- itual ties to the…