Workshops

Music and dance has been a traditional medicine of the Haudenosaunee people and was always present in every gathering or ceremony. Learn about the history behind the songs and dances, beginning with a video of Haudenosaunee dances, showing people singing and dancing in full Haudenosaunee clothing. Traditional clothing will be displayed so students can see it first hand. Students will participate in 3-4 Haudenosaunee social dances and play some of the traditional instruments.

Grade level: pre-K +
Length: 40 minutes-1 hour

One of our most popular workshops allows participants to try some of the games that were played by the Haudenosaunee people long ago, and still played today. These might include bone and toggle, scattering sticks, bone dice, double ball (dingball), long ball, lacrosse, *Snowsnake, and *snowshoeing. (*These 2 will only be offered at the Centre and are seasonal.)

Grade level: pre-K+
Length: 1 hour

Participants will learn about the land claims at Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve, and some of the issues surrounding these claims. This involves a powerpoint presentation along with an activity that shows the depletion of Six Nations land over the years since the establishment of the Haldimand Proclamation of 1784.

Grade level: 9+
Length: 30-40 minutes

This presentation focuses on the stereotypes that have distorted the image of First Nations people across North America. View 2 short films for discussion (“For Angela”, 24 minutes, and “Not the Indian You Had In Mind”, 4 minutes).

Grade level: 6+
Length: 1-1.5 hours

This Environmental and Cultural Art based workshop introduces healing and food plants and their cultural importance to First Nations people. Participants will learn about some of these plants and reproduce them using water colour painting techniques (from images provided). (Visitors to the Center will also go on a walking tour of the centre’s grounds during Spring, Summer and Fall months to discover some of these plants growing in their natural environment).

Grade level: 6+
Length: 1.5-2 hours

How did the Indigenous People of Canada impact some of the practices still carried on today? What was their role in the formation of Canada? Learn about First Nations aid to European settlers through an interactive presentation. Learn about First Nations food cultivation and traditional medicines with a focus on corn and all it’s contributions past and present. Participants will also make a corn husk doll.

Grade level: 7+
Length: 1 hour

Before contact, Iroquois people made many useful tools, pots, beads from clay and other natural sources. Participants will make either a clay pinch pot and design the outside with Iroquois designs, or they will create clay beads and string them together on hemp string with other coloured beads.

Grade level: 3+
Length: 30 minutes

Beadwork has long been a skill of many Native nations across North America. It was actually seen as a medicine on its own, helping to calm and focus the mind and reduce stress. Corn has always been an important staple of the Iroquoian people’s diet, and the importance of corn will be discussed. Participants will also make a corn cob keychain using beadwork techniques.

Grade level: 7+
Length: 1 hour

This workshop will go through the geographical history of the moccasin and the unique styles of beading and the meaning of the symbols. Participants will design a beading pattern, create a moccasin vamp out of clay, and use real beads to create their design in the clay.

Grade level: 6+
Length: 1.5 hours

Learn about how the Confederacy began, the 6 different Nations and the 9 Clans. Students will learn about the clan system and participate in a creative watercolour workshop.

Grade level: 3-5
Length: 1 hours

Corn, also known as maize, is the most important food crop of the Americas, cultivated by hundreds of different tribes. Over a period of thousands of years, Native Americans purposefully transformed maize through special cultivation techniques. Corn is one of the Three Sisters of the northeastern tribes, so called because corn, squash, and beans were traditionally planted together by Native American farmers. Corn is an important staple and we will discover all of its uses, past and present.

Corn in Clay
Grade level: Jk- 2
Length: 30 minutes

Corn Key Chains
Grade Level:5+
Length: 1.5 hours

The Woodland Cultural Centre requires a 2-week advance notice of a cancellation or a change in reserved number of participants for a tour, workshop or craft activity. The 2-week time period is in calendar days (not business days). Failure to provide proper notice of cancellation of a booking will result in a $200 cancellation fee. Failure to provide proper notice of changes in reserved number of participants will result in being invoiced/charged for the original number of participants stated in the signed tour confirmation form.

The Woodland Cultural Centre can accommodate groups of 25, and up to a maximum of 60 people. A group of 10 minimum for a guided tour is required. Tours are available Tuesday through Friday, year-round.

For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact the Group Visits and Rentals Coordinator at tours@woodlandculturalcentre.ca

All workshops and presentations offered both on and off-site. Please contact tours@woodlandculturalcentre.ca, for off-site presentation fees and mileage costs.