First Nations people living in the Pacific Northwest relied heavily on canoes to navigate the Pacific Ocean and its many tributaries. Canoes were used as the only means of ocean travel, as well as in warfare and fishing.
As a Physical Education teacher, I can appreciate how an aboriginal perspective can be integrated into my classes through place based and experiential learning. Activities like canoeing, kayaking, dragon boating and fishing can give the students an opportunity to not only learn about First Nations culture, but can also provide a context in which to engage with nature. While not all schools have the ability to do these types of activities due to their physical location, schools in cities such as Squamish, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Delta and Tsawwassen have both a First Nations culture, as well as the environment in which to engage in meaningful learning.