Public, independent, and First Nations school classrooms can register from October 18 to December 14, 2022 to participate in the 2023 BCAITC Common Ground: The Strawberry Project program. Please read through the information below and then complete the application link at the bottom of the page. 

About

This popular new K-12 growing project with Indigenous roots brings together youth from local First Nations Schools and other schools in British Columbia in an effort to better understand one another as well as to broaden understandings about local, native plant species. Through a cultural exchange between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth on growing strawberries and topics relevant to sustainability, we will promote learning about agriculture and the importance of food, all while increasing engagement with Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Understanding.

Strawberries are grown in every province in Canada, and the wild (or natural strawberry), is a native plant species to BC. The strawberry plant is an excellent plant to study as it has all of the key features of a typical plant species. Additionally, strawberry plants have several unique features such as being the only fruit that wears its seeds on the outside. Often referred to as the “heart berry” because of its shape, the strawberry plant has been an important food source and medicine in many Indigenous cultures in North America. Symbolically, First Peoples have considered this fruit to represent peace and forgiveness. Through learning about strawberries from a First People’s perspective it is expected that students will deepen their understanding of First People’s culture and traditions and strengthen their own personal sense of identity.

Classroom Kit

Each classroom participating in Common Ground: The Strawberry Project receives a free classroom kit including 20 Everbearing strawberry bare root plants, 10 wild strawberry plugs, 30 pots, funds for soil, and a teacher’s handbook.

The lessons designed in this package are aligned with K-9 curriculum connections. Specifically, topics in the subject areas of SThe lessons designed in this package are aligned with K-9 curriculum connections. Specifically, topics in the subject areas of Science, Physical Education and Health, Language Arts, Art, and Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies education are addressed.

Additional guidance, training, and support are available to teachers through BCAITC’s program staff.

Fostering Knowledge of Indigenous Agriculture

While providing knowledge of Indigenous agriculture, Common Ground: The Strawberry Project:

• Builds positive stories and perceptions of youth in neighbouring communities.
• Fosters an appreciation of cultures in each community through education and exchange.
• Develops students’ literacy skills and contributes to their development as informed global citizens
• Increases motivation for agricultural learning and the interconnectivity of our ecosystems.
• Encourages themes of friendship, respect, diversity, and sustainability through a common planning project
• Connects cultural, literacy, and relationship-building skills to the BC curriculum.
• Promotes community, leadership, sustainability, and connection to the local land.

Registration

Applications for the 2023 program are now closed. We will notify schools in early January about their application status.

Thank You

Thank you to the Province of British Columbia for supporting the Common Ground: The Strawberry Project. Also, thank you to the dozens of teachers and Indigenous leaders who helped bring this idea to life. 

Thank you to Chantelle Trainor-Matties of Frettchan Studios for the wonderful artwork created for this project.