Workshops with the Ahousaht First Nations Community in Canada

The Prince's School is currently engaged in a project with the Ahousaht First Nation in British Colombia.

The first workshops took place in March 2014 with pupils from Maaqtusiis Elementary and High schools in Ahousaht, a community based on beautiful Flores Island, off Vancouver Island.

The PSTA team, formed of two experienced teachers – Adam Williamson and Lateefa Spiker – spent three weeks in the community of Ahousaht teaching design and craft based classes. The workshops focussed on geometry and the order of nature to engage the pupils with the universal connections that arise naturally across cultures and traditions.

The PSTA team also engaged with the community’s elders and cultural educators to learn about the local culture and crafts, specifically the cedar bark weaving tradition. The workshops included the symbolism of the number 4 and taught children fundamental principles of design based on four-fold symmetry. Local teachers contributed to the classes by teaching pupils how to weave square mats made from Cedar bark strips gathered from the local Rain Forest. The mats were then painted with motifs the children designed inspired by the local knowledge of the Seasonal Round. Colours, elements, plants, animals and spirits are brought together by this great cycle of nature. The artwork produced worked directly with these fundamental concepts. The High school’s pupils continued working with the same theme after the PSTA team had left and very much enjoyed exploring independently the design process they had learnt.

The team are currently in Ahousaht on their second visit in which workshop participants are exploring 3D geometry and will build a large scale sculptural structure to be installed outdoors in the new village as part of the community’s focus on beautifying the village.