Weaving blankets and cedar hats and the cultural impact of sports are topics Nanaimo-Ladysmith students could be learning about in the fall.
Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools' strategic directions committee has recommended Indigenous Technology 12, Sports History 12, Post-Secondary Transitions 12 and Post-High School Explorations 12 courses to the curriculum for 2025-26. Trustees are anticipated to vote on the new classes at a meeting Wednesday, June 25.
Indigenous Technology 12 will examine cultural techniques associated with Snuneymuxw, Snaw-Naw-As and Stz'uminus nations through "hands-on learning," said Don Balcombe, assistant superintendent of secondary programs, at a strategic directions committee meeting June 11.
The course will adhere to the district's truth and reconciliation policy, honouring teachings of the land. Students will have opportunities to "produce, re-produce and create" traditional artifacts utilizing equipment such as spinners and looms, a staff report noted. Washing wool, dying, weaving, carding and spinning for blanket-weaving, making baskets, paddles and drums and weaving cedar hats would be examples of the student projects.
In an e-mail, Gillian Robinson, district spokesperson, told the News Bulletin that Indigenous-based courses see a high level of interest at schools that offer them, citing Ladysmith Secondary's land and language course as an example. Students who enrol can receive two credits for 50-60 hours of course work and four credits for 100-120 hours.
Balcombe described Sports History 12 as "a beautiful opportunity for students to explore historical and cultural impacts through sport." According to the course outline, it will examine socio-economic and cultural effect of sports. Primitive sports, progression of contemporary sport, female athletes, Indigenous athletes, sexual orientation and gender identity in sport, and technology in athletics will be some of the topics.
"The course allows for students to explore the connection between historical sporting events and their cultural influence," said Robinson. "Students will most likely have the opportunity to explore local sports history."
Trustee Tania Brzovic motivated the motion at the meeting and spoke of the value of the skills students will learn in Indigenous Technology, saying she learned a little bit of weaving herself participating in Indigenous studies coursework at Wellington Secondary.
"It takes incredible patience and talent, and it is a skill. It is absolutely something our students should be getting credit for," she said.
Trustee Chantelle Morvay suggested she sees value in the lessons could be learned from Sports History 12, such as athletes' mental well-being.
"I don't know if anybody saw the Michael Phelps (U.S. Olympic champion swimmer) documentary on mental health, but it was really impactful," she said. "You know, but you don't really know and that one really hit hard … I think it's a huge thing that is not talked about enough, and it's so critical to the health and mental health of athletes."
The post-secondary transitions and explorations courses are meant to provide direction for students after they graduate, according Balcombe. Post-Secondary Transitions is intended for students who know they want to continue learning after high school, while Post High School Transitions is for students who aren't sure if they want to continue post-secondary learning and are interested in their options.
"So it's all exploratory around what the world of work and living on your own and finances is all about," the assistant superintendent said.
The Sports History course would be available for Nanaimo District Secondary students while the other three courses would be available for John Barsby Secondary students.
"Typically, [board-authorized] courses are offered first at the school that designed the course,” said Robinson. "Word then spreads through teacher networks and other schools offer the course in subsequent years."
