DONATE
Home Search Lessons & Resources Pacific Northwest History and Cultures: Why Do the Foods We Eat Matter?

Pacific Northwest History and Cultures: Why Do the Foods We Eat Matter?

This online lesson provides perspectives from Native community members, images, objects, and regional case studies to understand important connections between foods and cultures for Native people of the Pacific Northwest. In what ways do Native nations of the Pacific Northwest take action to protect and sustain salmon, water, and homelands?

Includes the videos: Foods and Cultures and Canoe Journey.


How to Use

This resource utilizes the Inquiry Design Model (IDM) for a student-centered inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning. In addressing the compelling question, Why do the foods we eat matter?, students work through a series of supporting questions, formative performance tasks, and featured sources to construct an argument supported by evidence.

While this resource is designed to be a cohesive inquiry, teachers may opt to utilize the supporting questions and tasks in ways that best fit the needs of their students and/or time constraints.

For teaching instructions:

Professional Development | 2021 Living Earth Teach-In Series | Food Sovereignty:


In this Resource


For Classroom Use

Type: Online Resource

Format: Inquiry Design Model (IDM)

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Subject: History/Social Studies, Science

Related Native Knowledge 360° Resources

Webpage titled 'The Fish Wars: What Kinds of Actions Can Lead to Justice?' featuring a sailboat with the title on its sail, and educational resources about Native American treaty rights and sovereignty in the Pacific Northwest.

The Pacific Northwest Fish Wars: What Kinds of Actions Can Lead to Justice?

Explore the actions Native nations of the Pacific Northwest took to address injustices.

For Classroom Use

Type: Online Resource

Format: Inquiry Design Model (IDM)

Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Subject: History/Social Studies
Webpage titled 'American Indian Responses to Environmental Challenges' from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, featuring a landscape of the Campo Kumeyaay Nation, a map inset, links to tribal environmental efforts, and classroom guides for student and teacher resources.

American Indian Responses to Environmental Challenges

Learn how Indigenous knowledge, traditional culture, and values inform the environmental work of contemporary Native nations.

For Classroom Use

Type: Online Resource

Format: Website

Grade: 6, 7, 8, 9

Subject: English Language Arts, History/Social Studies, Science
Poster titled 'Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw People: Ways of Living, Ways of Giving' featuring a group paddling traditional canoes on a lake with forested mountains in the background.

Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw People: Ways of Living, Ways of Giving

Build background knowledge on the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw people of British Columbia, Canada and the potlatch tradition.

For Educator Development

Type: Teacher Reference

Format: Teaching Poster

Grade: 6, 7, 8

Subject: English Language Arts, History/Social Studies
Webpage titled 'Native Life and Food: Food Is More Than Just What We Eat' featuring two individuals kneeling and examining plants, highlighting the deep connection between Indigenous traditions and the environment.

Native Life and Food: Food Is More Than Just What We Eat

Learn about relationships Native peoples have with traditional foods and importance of food sovereignty.

For Educator Development

Type: Teacher Reference

Format: Reference Guide

Grade: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Subject: History/Social Studies, Science
Back to top