Spearfishing, Culture, Reflection: New Video Story
A
new story in The
Ways series from Wisconsin Media Lab will help educators address
statutory requirements to educate about Native American culture and sovereignity
and assist with the goal of helping students understand themselves and others
through exploring culture, identity, and tradition.
Engaging
for grades 6-12, the video, “Spearfishing: A Living
History,” examines this Ojibwe practice through the eyes of Jason Bisonette
as he teaches his son to provide for his family.
Taking
a fish from the lake “means I can be a contributing member of the community,”
Bisonette explains in the piece. “We’ve fished for elders, we’ve fished for
single mothers. We always try to give as much as we can away. There’s a lot of
honor in that.”
The
lake, sky, trees, and tools used for fishing come alive in the beautiful
videography of the piece. “Even though our techniques have maybe changed a
little bit ... that fish coming off a long winter is something that all the
Ojibwe people that came before us since the creation of the world tasted...”
Bisonette says.
Teaching
guides are available. There is also an interactive online Native lands map
activity. The entire resource is iPad compatible.
The
Wisconsin Media
Lab, the PK-12 arm of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board,
creates and curates resources to engage students on a wide range of subjects.
The Ways is currently among 23 social studies offerings, both Wisconsin-focused
and from sources elsewhere.
**
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