First Nations Arts and Culture

Students will spend a week gaining knowledge and hands-on experience with First Nations arts, culture, and traditions.  The project will begin with an introduction to the history of First Nations in the Northwest Coast region.  On Monday, students will visit the Suquamish Museum on Kitsap Peninsula for a workshop on Coast Salish history and crafts.  Students will be on campus Tuesday and work with resources from the Burke Museum to plan and design a capstone artifact in a First Nations style.  Wednesday, the group will travel to Johns Island in the San Juans for a three-day, two-night visit to Camp Nor’wester.  While on site at Camp Nor’wester, students will continue to develop their capstone artifact as well as engage in place-based, experiential education about how First Nations adapted to the land and thrived in the Northwest Coast region.  Students will also complete a service project during their visit, as a way to give back to the organization.  During their stay at Camp Nor’wester, students will live in traditional tipis and tents and enjoy a variety of nature-based recreations, striving to immerse themselves in the way of First Nations communities and cultures.