About This Lesson
Resource: Netukulimk
Description
Media (4 min): Join Little Fish as Grandmother tells the history of the cod in this animation inspired by Mi’kmaw storytelling tradition.Netukulimk was developed for Ocean School in collaboration with Elder Albert Marshall, Elder Jane Meader, Producer Cathy Martin and artist Shaela Kinting.
- See the media: Ocean School makes media/activity combinations. Each piece of media is linked to an activity. You can access this video by visiting the Ocean School website or by visiting the direct link here. If you like this media, you can see all of the available resources in the Ocean School Resource Catalogue. Everything in Ocean School is provided free to the public.
Activity (90 mins): Survival plan - In a sharing and knowledge circle, the students discuss the importance of Netukulimk and how to live in harmony with the environment. Students are then invited to create a fort and/or survival plan of what they would need to survive. They can only take from the earth and land and must consider factors like season, weather and local habitat and ecosystem.
We encourage educators to take their students outside during this activity.
- Netukulimk explains Mi’kmaw ways of life, tying together social and economic practices with systems of governance through time. Living in harmony, and taking only what you need, is the true essence of Indigenous ways of being and living." (Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre). Our linked video explores the concept in an accessible way for children and teenagers.
Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre has an extensive guide about Teaching About the Mi'kmaq (pdf).
- Want a Google Slides version? We offer a Google Slides version of the activity, a Microsoft Powerpoint version of the activity, and a PDF version of the activity on the Ocean School website. If you like this resource, note that there is an Ocean School Resource Catalogue. Everything in Ocean School is provided free to the public, is ad-free, and requires no login for teacher or student.
About Ocean School
This is a free educational resource from the Canadian Government about the ocean, through the Ocean Frontier Institute at Dalhousie University and the National Film Board of Canada. Ocean School provides media-rich, ocean-based resources in multiple subjects for students in grades 5–12. Created by educators, scientists and storytellers, these interactive learning materials help students understand our influence on the ocean and the ocean’s influence on us. Ocean School is ad-free and requires no login for teacher or student.
Available in French
Check out the Resources tab for the French activity sheets and media.
Or check out the French Ocean School page.
Please note: Ocean School activities are not stand-alone lessons (they do not cover all aspects of one topic or subject) but instead supplement learning through dynamic and engaging experiences.
Lesson Resources:
