Ancient wisdom, modern science

Teens discover how to use the Earth’s resources – without harming the environment

TRURO, N.S. – Jean Martin’s life was shaped by nature, whether it was the salmon she caught or the intricate wood splint baskets woven by her family.

Her Mi’kmaq family in Guysborough used only what nature provided, pickling their fish or game with salt to preserve it. Canned food and plastic wrappings were virtually unknown in her youth.

Now a Mi’kmaq elder and grandmother, Martin taught the lessons of her childhood to a group of 50 Grade 10 students from Cobequid Educational Centre, who came to understand her life is firmly grounded in science.

“It feels good they’re interested, it brings us back to basics that we’d better have sooner or later, so doing away with a lot of our throwaway stuff,” said Martin, who now lives in Millbrook First Nation.

One key lesson is never taking more from the environment than can be renewed, whether catching salmon from the river or felling trees for wood to make baskets.

However, this way of life is under attack from invasive species such as the emerald ash borer. The teens learned how this beetle is attacking ash trees, whose wood is often used for basket-weaving.

Students also learned about sweetgrass, which can be used for braiding, basket-weaving and Mi’kmaq religious ceremonies.

It is one of the four sacred plants for First Nations, the others being tobacco, sage and red cedar.

Sweetgrass, as its name implies, also has a sweet smell, which can be used to soothe people who are ill.

“I learned that sweetgrass is really hard and I didn’t know that when you pick it, you can cut your hands open,” said student Josh Munden. “It sounds scary, but kinda cool.”

Teacher Catherine Benedict said the Mi’kmaq ideas of sustainable living are thousands of years old and not just a Western invention. For example, wooden splints used to weave baskets come from trees; understanding how a tree grows is part of modern biology.

“It’s trying to link together all these concepts so they have a more well-rounded idea of how everything you look at, whether it’s Mi’kmaq culture or their wooden floors at home, really link to all these things in science,” said Benedict.

The CEC student workshop with the Mi’kmaq forms part of the science unit on ecology and sustainability.

FRAM DINSHAW/TRURO NEWS Maryanne Martin, left, and her grandmother, Jean Martin, demonstrate traditional Mi’kmaq wood products from carvings to baskets as they teach students about sustainable living.

FRAM DINSHAW/TRURO NEWS Grade 10 students Kilah Maccoul and Josh Munden discuss how to weave sweetgrass and wicker baskets during their presentations.