On Monday, September 16, Saturna Elementary and SEEC students, along with Saturna Island community members, learned about Clam Gardens from W̱SÁNEĆ Elder, Carl Olsen and Parks Canada Sea Gardens Restoration lead, Erich Kelch at Winter Cove, near X̱IX̱EYES (Boat Passage in the SENĆOŦEN language). We were joined by SD64 Indigenous Ed Principal Lorna Fraser, Teacher Amanda Poitras, and Artist Quentin Harris, as well as by Superintendent Jill Jensen and Outer Islands Principal Adrian Pendergast.
These clam gardens are older than the pyramids and are being maintained, restored, and discovered in the Southern Gulf Islands through partnerships between Parks Canada and the WSANEC Nations and Cowichan Tribes.
At the beach, Carl introduced us to the site and taught us all to say: ÍY, SȻÁĆEL (pronounced "Ay squaychel"), which means "Good day!" He shared about the work being done by Indigenous Nations to restore clam gardens all over the Gulf Islands.
Then, Erich gave us all a photo quiz, called "Can you eat that?", which included images of sea cucumbers, seaweeds (all edible except bleachweed), sea urchins (photo credit), moon snails, octopi, chitons, and many other species that thrive in these sea gardens.
Carl dug up some horse clams, then students and others found a number of species by digging, including butter clams, lop-sided Bent-nosed Macoma clams, and many baby clams. There was also a many-legged clam worm that Adrian showed the students. Erich helped kids turn over the sediment with digging forks and explained that by removing thick seaweed, turning over the silt, and adding shell pieces, the clam garden would be more productive.
Students then took some time to explore the intertidal with a great SENĆOŦEN marine scavenger hunt, from this great workbook by the W̱SÁNEĆ Marine Guardians, available for purchase here: https://www.qentolyen.com/store.
Serendipitously, the QENTOL, YEN (WSANEC Marine Guardians) and the SGI (Southern Gulf Islands) Whale Sighting Network had organized a luncheon at Winter Cove the same day as our field trip. Carl Olsen had brought the school a copy of their great book called KELL̵OLEMEĆEN (Orca Whale).
After signing their photos on the front page, Patrick Elliot with QENTOL, YEN showed the students the book and described their work protecting the resident Orcas and other whales in this region. It was a great meeting of Saturna and Southern Gulf Islands conservationists, who were extremely welcoming to the students and school staff. Thanks for the cookies and Bubbly and stickers!
Saturna School teacher Jaqueline Borosa then closed the field trip by reading the group "If you want to visit a Sea Garden" by Kay Weisman and Roy Henry Vickers.
A good day was had by all. Big thanks to everyone who came together and shared! The SSI Foundation Indigenous Priorities Fund and SD64 Indigenous Education made this experience possible.
This day built upon similar school and community field trips in 2023 & 2024 to the W̱ENÁ¸NEĆ /Hwune’nuts Sea Gardens (Fulford Harbour) on Salt Spring Island.
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