Ancaster’s Ryerson United Church partners to teach nature through an Indigenous cultural lens – Hamilton Spectator

Sept. 27, 2022

Church officials passing on knowledge of the natural world to students

Lynn Nicholson was at her rural Flamborough home when she unexpectedly saw a blue bird flying about the trees.

It prompted her to suggest, at a recent Carolinian open house hosted by Ryerson United Church, the students could construct birdhouses and attract the feathered friends into their own backyards. It’s another facet of how the partnership between the church, the Métis Women’s Circle and the Foundations Montessori School have united to teach nature through an Indigenous cultural lens, said Nicholson, the church administrator.

“The students are continuing their Indigenous cultural education, which began with the medicine garden initiative,” said Paula Starbuck, co-chair of Ryerson Church Council. She said the students not only learn woodworking skills, but also are taught Mohawk words related to birds.

Read More: https://www.thespec.com/local-ancaster/news/2022/09/27/ancaster-s-ryerson-united-church-partners-to-teach-nature-through-an-indigenous-cultural-lens.html