COSMIC JOURNEYS

Anishinaabe culture and storytelling is greatly influenced by the natural cycles of our solar system, and David Thompson, a fur trade cartographer, used the sun, stars and other celestial bodies to create maps that would shape the borders of North America. Join our astronomers as they demonstrate how the marvels of the Earth, solar system and the unknown influence our lives.

Curriculum Links: Science & Technology, Social Studies, History & Geography
Grade Suitability: 1+
Availability: September to June (day and night)
Length: 1 hour
Cost (+HST): $120 per class

DAVID THOMPSON’S SUN, MOON & STARS

David Thompson, a fur trade cartographer, used the sun, stars and other celestial bodies to create maps that would shape the borders of North America. Join our voyageur guides and fur trade astronomers as they demonstrate how the marvels of Earth, the solar system and the unknown influence our everyday lives.

Curriculum Links: Math, Science & Technology, Social Studies, History & Geography
Grade Suitability: 1+
Availability: September to June (day and night)
Length: 1.5 hours
Cost (+HST): $9 per student

DISCOVER EARLY SETTLERS

FIRST NATIONS SKILLS & TECHNOLOGY

What did technology look like in the Fur Trade Era? Discover Indigenous innovations that made life easier 200 years ago. Examine various objects and tools used by Indigenous Peoples and Europeans, including a birch bark canoe, baskets, snowshoes, tools, and raw materials.

Curriculum Links: Science & Technology, Social Studies, History & Geography
Grade Suitability: 5+
Availability: September to June
Length: 1.5 hours
Cost (+HST): $6 per student

FIRST NATIONS TRADITIONAL TEACHINGS

A unique cultural experience! Students will be immersed into the traditional and cultural practices of the Anishinaabe. Select from a menu of learning experiences that meet your curriculum requirements, including paddling canoes on the Kaministiquia (May-June), making a traditional craft, learning about Anishinaabe material culture, exploring the forest for wild edibles and medicines, and preparing traditional foods.

Curriculum Links: Health & Physical Education, Indigenous Studies, Science & Technology, Social Studies, History & Geography
Grade Suitability: 6+
Availability: September to June
Length: 2 hours
Cost (+HST): $9 per student

FURS OF THE FUR TRADE

Discover the various animals that were important to the fur trade from the perspectives of the North West Company’s fur traders and the Anishinaabe hunters and trappers. Learn which furs were valued for fashion or winter survival, and why. Examine the skulls of these animals to learn about their anatomy, behaviours, diets, and habitats!

Curriculum Links: Science & Technology, Social Studies, History & Geography
Grade Suitability: Virtual – JK-3, in-person – 2+
Availability: Virtual – year-round, in-person – September to June
Length: 1 hour
Cost (+HST): $120 per class (virtual), $6 per student (in-person)

FUR TRADE DANCING

FUR TRADE SURVIVAL

GPS SCAVENGER HUNT: HISTORY OR ECOLOGY THEME

Get introduced to Global Positioning System (GPS) and take on a field challenge. Using the provided GPS units, each team must locate waypoints, avoid decoys and correctly answer clues to complete the challenge.

Curriculum Links: Science & Technology
Grade Suitability: 3+
Availability: September to June
Length: 1.5 hours
Cost (+HST): $6 per student

GREAT VOYAGEUR CHALLENGE

HISTORY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

INAADIZIWIN (A WAY OF LIFE)

Learn about Anishinaabe life, including daily and seasonal routines and the contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the fur trade. Discover building materials, technologies and foods. Learn about trading practices and how the knowledge and technologies shared by Indigenous Peoples with Europeans helped expand the fur trade across North America.

Curriculum Links: Science & Technology, Social Studies, History & Geography
Grade Suitability: 3-7
Availability: September to June
Length: 45 minutes
Cost (+HST): $120 per class

INDI-GENIUS

Discover some of the tools and technologies developed and used by Indigenous Peoples before European contact, and understand the science behind creating these items. Learn about the many regionally available resources, engage in experiments, including testing the tensile strength of natural cordage and manipulation of wood using heat and moisture, and learn about the uses of local sediments and minerals to create tools.

Curriculum Links: Science & Technology, Social Studies, History & Geography
Grade Suitability: 4-6
Availability: September to June
Length: 45 minutes
Cost (+HST): $120 per class

LIFE IN A WIGWAM

Learn about the daily and seasonal cycles in Anishinaabe life, including customs and rites of passage for adolescents. Examine domestic items, such as a tikinagan, tools and furs, before bartering for trade goods. As a parting gift, students will receive a sample of Labrador tea with brewing instructions.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, History & Geography
Grade Suitability: 1+
Availability: September to June
Length: 1.5 hours
Cost (+HST): $6 per student

LITTLE FUR TRADERS: ANISHINAABE OR VOYAGEUR THEME

Put your imagination to work! Follow in the footsteps of French-Canadian voyageurs or Indigenous Peoples as they lived 200 years ago. Explore Fort William, join in the daily activities and leave with a small gift of either glass beads or hat feathers.

Curriculum Links: Social Studies, History & Geography, The Arts
Grade Suitability: JK-4
Availability: September to October, May to June
Length: 1.5 hours
Cost (+HST): $6 per student

MUSKETS & CANNONS

Students will learn about the role of black powder firearms in early Canada, learn how to collaboratively and safely discharge a cannon, and try firing a flintlock musket. Please note, participants must be 13 or older to fire a cannon or musket.

Curriculum Links: Science & Technology, Social Studies, History & Geography
Grade Suitability: 6+
Availability: September to October, May to June
Length: 1.5 hours
Cost (+HST): $6 per student

NIGHT SKY STORYTELLING

PADDLING THROUGH TIME

Embark on an unforgettable adventure on the historic Kaministiquia River in our replica birch bark canoes, guided by expert canoeists. Learn voyageur songs and paddling techniques while enjoying this highly physical activity.

Curriculum Links: Health & Physical Education, Indigenous Studies, Social Studies, History & Geography
Grade Suitability: 4+
Availability: September to October, May to June
Length: 1.5 hours
Cost (+HST): $6 per student

PLAYING WITH TIME

It was “work hard, play hard” during the fur trade. Learn about the history and importance of recreation and leisure activities by participating in various games from Anishinaabe, French-Canadian and Scottish cultures.

Curriculum Links: Health & Physical Education, Social Studies, History & Geography
Grade Suitability: 1+
Availability: September to June
Length: 1.5 hours
Cost (+HST): $6 per student

SNOWSHOEING

Examine different styles of snowshoes and their design features. Then strap on a pair and try out the most common form of winter transportation invented by Indigenous Peoples. Complimentary hot chocolate included.

Curriculum Links: Health & Physical Education, Indigenous Studies, Social Studies, History & Geography
Grade Suitability: 3+
Availability: December to March (dependant on snow accumulation)
Length: 1.5 hours
Cost (+HST): $6 per student

THE CIRCLE OF ANISHINAABE LIFE

This experience introduces students to the Anishinaabe, who they are, their importance in history, and their way of life. This experience will focus on the use of music and food to welcome students to the Anishinaabe encampment and their way of life.

Curriculum Links: Health & Physical Education, Indigenous Studies, Science & Technology, Social Studies, History & Geography, The Arts
Grade Suitability: 3+
Availability: September to June
Length: 2 hours
Cost (+HST): $9 per student

WALKING THROUGH TIME

Step back in time and explore Fort William in this interactive tour, led by one of the people who lived and worked around Fort William. Learn the business of the North West Company and visit some of the interesting places that made Fort William the hinge of a global empire! Customized tours highlighting specific themes can be requested at the time of booking.

Curriculum Links: Health & Physical Education, Indigenous Studies, Social Studies, History & Geography
Grade Suitability: Virtual – JK-3, in-person – 2+
Availability: Virtual – Year-round, In-person – September to June
Length: 45 minutes virtual, 1.5 hours in person
Cost (+HST): $120 per class (virtual), $6 per student (in-person)