IndigenousOcean Man students in Grade 7, 8 and 9 are learning the skill of canning food through the Practical and Applied Arts course, and they enjoy taking the class because they get to eat what they make. Kids cook up a batch of salsa in Practical and Applied Arts course Louise BigEagle · CBC News · Posted: Oct 20, 2025 10:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoWinona Moore, Akeanna Bigstone, Lexus Bigstone and Keanna Bigstone are in a class together where they are learning how to can vegetables right from the garden. (Louise BigEagle/CBC)The aroma of tomatoes, garlic and chopped onions filled the air at the Ocean Man Education Centre last week.Students in Grade 7, 8 and 9 in the community about 140 kilometres southeast of Regina were learning how to make salsa and the art of canning. The students made six jars of salsa, using vegetables from their teacher’s garden, to add to the school’s growing cupboard of preserves like pickled carrots and pickles.It’s all part of their Practical and Applied Arts course, where they will also learn about interior design and construction later on in the school year.”It actually teaches us how … to make our own homemade things,” said 14-year-old Lexus Bigstone, who is in Grade 9.”We don’t have to go to the store.”Bigstone is taking the class with her twin sisters, and said she likes the class as they get to make salsa and they get to eat chips with it as a class snack later on.Lexus Bigstone, 14, is taking the class with her 11 year old twin sisters. She loves to eat the pickled carrots. (Louise BigEagle/CBC)Bigstone said her parents were happy when they learned the school was offering the class to their students this year.“They thought it was really good, because they said I will be able to do that when I’m older and be able to do that with my kids and grandkids, and teach them how to make it,” said Bigstone.Carla Bison, a teacher and grandmother of student Winona Moore, said she is happy the class is happening as she remembers her grandma used to can pears, tomatoes and other vegetables that would last throughout the year.Bison said canning homegrown vegetables can help offset the inflation of grocery prices these days, and her granddaughter is learning that important skill.“I like that this class is hands-on learning and I like the fact that it teaches them about food sovereignty,” said BisonWinona Moore, Kianna Bigstone and Lexus Bigstone take instructions from their teacher Stephanie Dayman on how to make salsa. (Louise BigEagle/CBC)Stephanie Dayman teaches the canning class and travels from Arcola, Sask.Dayman said it all started when she brought pickled carrots and pickles that she preserved for the students to try.”They were excited and they enjoyed it and asked how it was done,” said Dayman.WATCH | Ocean Man First Nation student learn about canning foods:Students learn about canning foodStudents in Grades 7, 8 and 9 on Ocean Man First Nation are learning how to preserve food through canning. Dayman donated vegetables from her own garden to start the first class last month.”It’s also understanding what’s in it that’s healthier for them; there’s no added preservatives,” said Dayman.She plans on showing them how to can tomatoes next, and hopes they will plant their own garden next summer to can what they grow. Twin sisters Kianna and Aquilla Bigstone said their favorite thing to do is make pickled carrots and eat them afterwards.The twins said it is a fun experience and that they love the food they make.“You can teach anybody and pass it on,” said Keanna.ABOUT THE AUTHORLouise has been a journalist with CBC since September 2022. She is Nakota/Cree from Ocean Man First Nation. She holds a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Regina. Louise can be reached at louise.bigeagle@cbc.ca.
Ocean Man First Nation students learn about canning foods
