Pre-school & Kindergarten

Drums and Masks Students learn about the musical instruments and masks used during the Feast, then at the Tsimshian Longhouse they have a hands-on experience with masks and drums.(30-45 minutes)

Shape Safari Children explore the Museum and search for shapes among the exhibits, then make a shape fish to take home. (50 minutes)

Animal Adventure Children search for animals while exploring the Museum, then make their own animal ”puppet” to take home.(30 minutes)

Grade 1 & 2

A Journey Into the Past An introduction to Tsimshian culture - students learn about ancient villages through discussion, handling artifacts, a gallery search, and a story. (1 hour)

Drums and Stories Students learn about the musical instruments and masks used in Tsimshian performance, then at the Tsimshian Longhouse they have a hands-on experience with a story and drumming. (1 hour)

My First Visit To The Museum An introduction to the Museum that includes a visual treasure hunt, drawing, and the construction of a miniature Museum to take back to the classroom.(1 hour)

Grades 3, 4, & 5

The Tsimshian Treasure Box Students learn how the Tsimshian made and used their remarkable bentwood boxes. The program includes discovery through images and handling of artifacts and the students make and decorate their own “bentwood” box. (1 hour)

Wintering In the Longhouse Students learn about the richness of Tsimshian culture, from activities on their territories in the spring, summer and fall, to ceremonial activities during the Feasts in their winter villages. (1 hour)

Rock to Railway Students learn about the early businesses and technologies that built the early communities of Port Simpson, Port Essington and Prince Rupert, and then construct their own early city using photographs of early Prince Rupert. (1 hour)

Grades 6 - 12

Masks and their Meanings Students learn about the cultural role of masks through viewing and discussing pieces in the Museum’s collection, then make their own mask. (1 hour +)

History of Photography Students learn about equipment and techniques in photography in the early part of the 20th century. A slide show of early Prince Rupert photographs follows the tour. (30 minutes)

The Winter Feast Students learn about the role of the Feast in Tsimshian culture through the ceremonial items in the Museum’s collections. Then at the Tsimshian Longhouse they experience the ceremonial songs, dance and storytelling of Feasts. (1.5 hours)

Storytelling In the Tsimshian Longhouse students experience oral histories through storytelling, drama, and song. (1.5 hours)

A Look at First Nations Art Students explore and discuss the various aspects of First Nations art through the Museum’s collection and end the tour by choosing and sketching artifacts that inspire them. (45 minutes)

Clans and Crests Students learn about the role of clans and crests in Northwest Coast First Nations culture and view the art works that depict these aspects of culture and identity. (45 minutes)

Totem Poles, History, and the Land Students learn about the ancient history and cultural meanings of totem poles, then view one of the most famous Northwest Coast poles and learn about the history and territory it represents. (1 hour)