Cedar Elementary Play Potlatch

On May 23, 2024 Cedar Elementary came together with Penfield Elementary to participate in a Play Potlatch.

Cedar and Penfield Elementary schools are working with artist Qwaya Sam to learn Ahousaht culture. This project involves learning to make regalia, learning dances, drumming, singing, and the idea of giving back as the foundational protocol for a potlatch by creating gifts to be given to every attendee. Cedar Elementary hosted a play-potlatch and invited Penfield Elementary, guided by Qwaya Sam, who is a local knowledge keeper from Ahousaht who has been raised with and immersed in a culture of hišukʔiš c̓awaak (Nuu-Chah-Nulth for 'everything is one'). This project further taught students about protocols of holding a potlatch, gaining permissions to hold ceremony on a territory that is not ones own, and the protocols and processes of who to invite as well as the exchange of gifts. Cedar Elementary received a grant through Art Starts which allowed this project to happen.

Thank you to everyone that was involved in the Play Potlatch, it was an amazing experience for all.