Thornton Creek’s Artifact Day Helps Build Intergenerational Community

Who are You? Students Share Their Family Histories Through Storytelling and Cultural Artifacts

Photos, stuffed animals, quilts, and traditional clothing from around the world — these were some of the items Thornton Creek Elementary students proudly displayed during the school’s Artifact Day.  

This annual event encourages students to bring a special item to school that represents their family’s culture and history. This item — along with a brief presentation of its importance — is shared with their classmates.  

During this year’s Artifact Day, elders from the Thornton Creek community were invited to visit classrooms to learn about students’ artifacts. Elders, which included grandparents, aunts, uncles, and neighbors, helped guide students in conversation about their items.  

The event began in 2023, after Thornton Creek community partner Dr. Donald Felder and Principal Gerrit Kischner discussed having a day where students could share more about themselves and their family’s history.  

“This project was inspired by our identity work, a cornerstone of our Racial Equity Action Plan, with the intention to grow a culture of learning in which students understand and honor the gifts that they and their classmates bring into the classroom every day,” Principal Kischner said.  

Last year, Dr. Felder shared his artifacts with students in an assembly then visited all kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms to view every student’s artifact.  

“I listened to children talk about their ancestors, I listened to student’s talk about the stories their ancestors shared with them,” Dr. Felder said. “It dawned on me that when children know more about their history, they know more about their identity.”  

This year, Dr. Felder, along with other invited elders, visited classrooms again to learn more about Thornton Creek students’ and their family history.  

“When we connect children to their history, their origin of language, and their culture everybody wants to know more about each other and that breeds … kindness,” Dr. Felder said. 

Artifact Day is a great way for students to share about themselves, learn more about their peers, and connect with their community.