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As a distinctive neighbourhood filled with cultural monuments and historic sites, Chinatown’s public places are a precious and integral part of the city. Yet the neighbourhood is evolving quickly and many heritage sites are starting to disappear. How might we imagine a future Chinatown that honours and protects its heritage while welcoming new ideas and communities? We’ll survey Chinatown’s past and present sites of cultural significance and invite students to imagine the neighbourhood’s next phase of growth and revitalization with a creative “vision board” activity.

Total length: 1 - 2 hours
Grade levels: 9 - 12
Cost per student: $8 (1 adult chaperone per 10 students may visit for free)

Connections to the BC Social Studies Big Ideas

Grade 9

• Collective identity is constructed and can change over time.
• Emerging ideas and ideologies profoundly influence societies and events.
• The physical environment influences the nature of political, social, and economic change.

Grade 10 

• Historical and contemporary injustices challenge the narrative and identity of Canada as an inclusive, multicultural society. 

Grade 11

• Decision making in urban and regional planning requires balancing political, economic, social, and environmental factors.

Grade 12

• Social justice initiatives can transform individuals and systems.

Discover the stories of a diverse fishing, canning, and boat building community at the scenic Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site on the shores of the Fraser River. This one-hour guided tour is led by a Heritage Interpreter, and includes introductions to the heritage buildings which illustrated the living and working conditions of the communities that made Steveston the special place it is today.

September 15, 2025-June 25, 2026

Discover the interwoven worlds of math and art. Using tessellations as a foundation, each workshop explores pattern making and mathematical elements of design. Workshops examine the artwork of Coast Salish contemporary artist Dylan Thomas, and how he has connected math and geometry to his art practice.

Curriculum tie-ins: Art Education, Indigenous Art, Earth Science, Math, STEAM

Discover Richmond’s diverse cultures by exploring multicultural winter celebrations, from Indigenous to European and Asian traditions.

Play games and unwrap mystery presents that reflect cultural winter celebration, then make a unique Christmas craft.

Big Ideas:

• Diverse communities, stories and traditions about ourselves and our families (Kindergarten)
• Diversity of individuals (Grade 1)
• Diverse regions and communities (Grade 2)
• Diverse cultures and societies (Grade 3)

For more information and to register, please visit our website

Availability: Native-Newcomer Relations PDF

The Native Voice was the first newspaper to focus on Indigenous issues in Canada. Through four case studies, students critically analyse articles from The Native Voice and other newspapers to look at the topics of Indigenous rights and land title in British Columbia. This program has been organized with the Squamish Nation Education Department and made possible in part through a grant from the Museums Assistance Program, Department of Canadian Heritage.

Your students will:

• Analyze archival and contemporary newspaper articles relating to Indigenous rights and land title.
• Answer and discuss critical thinking questions to develop a deeper understanding of the topic.

Students explore and analyse archival photographs featuring Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) people and places chosen from an exhibit presented at the North Vancouver Museum & Archives (NVMA) in 2010. This was a shared project of the NVMA and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). The Squamish Elders and Language Authority chose these photos that represent local landscapes, the community and individuals, and contributed to exhibit research.

Your students will:

• Recognize that the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) is an active community today on the North Shore.
• Discover aspects of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) history and culture through photos.
• View primary source evidence and develop photo analysis skills.

Through images and activities, students come to know səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Chief Dan George and understand his historical significance. They discover how his acting career helped change the image of Indigenous people in the media and how his activism raised awareness of Indigenous rights in Canada. This Kit includes lesson plans to encourage discussion and critical thinking.

Chief Dan George Story Kit 2021-22

Your students will:

• View primary source evidence and develop photo and artifact analysis skills.
• Assess the historical significance of Chief Dan George.
• Read and discuss poetry by Chief Dan George, including his ‘Lament to Confederation’.
• Watch a unique video about Chief Dan George produced by the MONOVA.