First Nations Nisga’a Killer Whale Clan Puzzle

Unique high quality wooden Montessori inspired First Nations themed puzzle featuring the Killer Whale/Orca clan.

This Limited Edition puzzle series features all four clan images from the Nisga’a Nation, located in northern British Columbia near Terrace, BC. The other puzzles feature symbols for the Frog, the Eagle and the Wolf.

About this Project

This project was a collaboration between Nisga’a Child and Family Services, Nisga’a School District #92 and Puzzle Heads Educational Products. All artwork has been used with permission  ©Peter G̱alksi-De’entkw (McKay). Thank you!

The Nisga’a people have a strong cultural interest in keeping their language alive. With over 350 fluent speakers today, their efforts are further supported by language instruction in the Nisga’a school district from grades K-12.

As a result, these Nisga’a family crests were made into puzzles to be used as a language learning tool. Using a Montessori inspired approach, each piece is cut into a body part that can be used to learn Nisga’a vocabulary. If you would like to hear how the language sounds, please visit the extensive resources available at www.firstvoices.com . Montessori style nomenclature cards are being developed for the body parts and will be available soon. Please contact us if you would like to be placed on the waiting list to be notified.

The words on each puzzle are written in the Nisga’a language and are translated as “I am from the Killer Whale clan”. Like many languages, the Nisga’a language uses masculine and feminine forms of words. On this puzzle the phrase on the left, written in red, is the feminine form and the phrase on the right, written in black, is the masculine form.

These puzzles are made with the same care and detail as all our other wooden puzzles. Each one is handcrafted and printed on Baltic birch plywood. The solid plywood construction ensures corners will never get rounded or look “frayed”.

If you would like to learn more about the Nisga’a nation and the beautiful Nass River Valley where they live, please visit www.nisgaanation.ca

Features:

• 7 knobbed pieces
• Pieces cut to represent Doral fin, Pectoral fin, Flukes, Tail, Back, Belly, Head
• Size: 9-1/4″ x 10-3/4″ (23.5cm x 27.5cm)

Handmade in Canada.