Jun. 09, 2025
At Belfast School, grade 5/6 students explored the Nose Creek Valley and other natural and designed areas around Belfast School, reflection about their connection to the land, journaling and ultimately the creation of personal land acknowledgements expressed through the medium of shadow art. This project encouraged students to think critically about what the land means to them and to one another.
The place-based learning work was guided by Jenn Doeve from Yellow Steps Learning and supported through task design that included the land and place as central. The initiative evolved further when artist-in-residence, Ms. Ewa Sniatycka, engaged students in conversations about their passions. Many of these conversations centered around acknowledging the land as they were in the process of writing personal land acknowledgments.
“Through her guidance, students explored artistic concepts such as foreground and background, and positive and negative space, which are key components of the visual arts curriculum,” said Clara Devos, Learning Leader at Belfast School. “These lessons lead to expressive and thoughtful visual pieces that brought the students personal land acknowledgments to life. Students expressed excitement about the creative process, particularly using cutouts, colored gels, and projectors to convey their messages.”
Beyond the artistic elements, students also learned about environmental stewardship and reconciliation. The project was made possible thanks to the support of Belfast School Council and Fundraising Society and funding from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, enabling collaboration between students and professional artists.
The school community also recognized the importance of grounding the work in respect for Indigenous land and traditions, concluding with personal formal acknowledgment of the traditional territories of the Treaty 7 Nations, the Métis Nation of Alberta, and all who reside in southern Alberta.
