Cyanotypes and the Bear Trail: Art, Nature, and Language Learning

This spring, our Grade 6/7 class took a creative journey that combined art, science, and cultural learning. Inspired by the natural beauty around our school, students explored the “Bear Trail” to collect wild plants and natural materials for a cyanotype project. Cyanotypes are made by placing objects on light-sensitive paper and exposing them to sunlight — the result is a striking blue-and-white image that captures the delicate shapes of leaves, flowers, and stems.

As part of this experience, we talked about gathering respectfully, taking only what we needed, and leaving the area as we found it. We also learned some of the names of local plants in Dakelh, the language of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, whose land we learn on. This project was a meaningful way to connect hands-on art with environmental awareness and Indigenous language learning — and the results were as thoughtful as they were beautiful.