VIDEO: Indigenous Learning Takes Shape Through Paddle Building

Carleton Place – A group of 26 outdoor education students at Carleton Place High School (CPHS) took part in a hands-on paddle-building project that brought together craftsmanship, collaboration, and Indigenous learning.

🎥 Watch the full story—and hear directly from students about the experience—in this three-minute video below:

Through this cross-curricular initiative, outdoor education and woodworking classes worked together to design and create custom, Voyageur-style paddles from start to finish—an approach recommended by Indigenous canoe and paddle builder Christian Pilon. The woodworking class developed templates tailored to each student’s height, before the outdoor education class shaped, sanded, and refined their paddles over 10-15 hours, often during lunch and after school.

The project was supported through the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Initiatives Fund, which helped supply materials, purchase tools, and bring Pilon into the classroom.

With his guidance, students learned to slow down and focus on craftsmanship, using their hands––and not just their eyes––to feel for balance and imperfections, while gaining a deeper understanding of Métis culture and the meaning behind the work.

“I have that knowledge I learned from others, and it’s a privilege to be able to share that,” said Pilon.

For many students, the project was a new experience that pushed them outside their comfort zones, developed new skills, and built confidence.

“Any high school class can succeed with this program with the right support,” said woodworking teacher Peter Snider.

“They were proud of their work. It’s a project that will stay with them forever,” said Outdoor Education Teacher Andrea Read-Edmonds.