Something Fishy: Elementary Lesson

This is a Nuu-chah-nulth, Ditidaht silkscreen print of a Codfish by Art Thompson.  How is this piece of art different from scientific art? 

This is a silkscreen print of a salmon by the Kwakwaka'wakw artist Tony Hunt. What details do you notice Tony Hunt utilizing to add texture to his salmon? Are there similarities between Hunt's salmon and the scientific drawing of a salmon?

This fish design is by Nuu-chah-nulth artist Joe David. What similarities do you see in the various indigenous artworks?

This Coho silkscreen print by Reg Davidson, a Masset Haida artist, depicts three salmon surrounding a circular bird motif. The fish are shown in red, blue, and black. What similarities and differences do you see between scientific and indigenous art?

This carved wooden dish is in the form of a halibut fish. What does it tell us about indigenous peoples that they were able to make everyday objects beautiful. Why do you think this person chose to make their dish in the form of a fish? What does it tell us about the importance of fish to the indigenous daily life?

This is a carved and painted wooden clapper from the Heiltsuk in the form of a fish. A wooden clapper is a musical instrument that is sometimes used during cultural ceremonies. Why do you think they chose to put a fish on this instrument? Does it help us understand the importance of fish to indigenous culture?

Listen to the Haida story of the Salmon Boy and learn more about the First Nation's perspective of fish and nature. Why is respecting nature and wildlife important to First Nation's people? What does this story tell us about the First Nation's relationship with salmon and nature? 

Here is a list of the Hul'q'umi'num names for the different species of fish produced by the Hul'q'umi'num Treaty Group. Visit First Voices to learn the pronunciation. 

In this activity, created by the Royal BC Museum in collaboration with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, you will have the opportunity to view and "use" some of the fishing technology used by Songhees and Esquimalt people at the turn of the 19th century near Victoria.