On Thursday, May 18, Journey Middle School hosted a Pit Cook to celebrate the success of their grade 7 students. Journey Middle School is located on the traditional territory of T’So-uke First Nation and we raise our hands in gratitude to honour the T’Sou-ke people. Pit Cooks have been significant cooking methods for many Indigenous cultures around the world, including the Coast Salish peoples. A traditional pit cook involves digging a pit in the ground, which is then lined with stones and sand, then heated by a fire. The heat from the fire turns the stones into hot coals, creating an underground oven. 
Prior to the pandemic, this was an annual event, and this is the first year that it has returned. The day was filled with learning opportunities that the students chose to participate in such as drumming, Indigenous art, Indigenous gardening, plant walks, and bannock and salmon by the fire. Students and staff helped out preparing and setting up, and all worked together during the pit cook. This land-based learning promotes cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and holistic education.
Thank you Elder Jackie and Amanda from T’Sou-ke First Nation and to guests from the District of Sooke Council, the Sooke Museum, Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness, and the Sooke Fire Department who came and joined in on the amazing learning day and the pit cook feast. A very special to thanks to The Stick in The Mud for donating burlap sacks for the Pit Cook and Sc’ianew First Nation for donating salmon.