Work House

A Glacier National Park Science and Indian Education Program

"Work House" was developed in the 1990s and updated in 2016 for use in the classroom and in Glacier National Park. This program was created by Terry Welder and the Division of Interpretation at Glacier in cooperation with tribal members from the Blackfeet, Salish, Pend d'Oreille, and Kootenai Tribes.

"Work House" consists of five interrelated units that focus on geological and biological succession while utilizing local Indian tribal heritage as a background. Each unit has a similar format. "Work House" includes cultural and scientific background information, traditional stories, classroom activities, and links to field trip and extension options. Although the student readings are at a middle school level, the lesson plans can be adapted for many grade levels.

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Student Readings
Introduction - How to use "Work House" and Getting to Know the Poeple: The Blackfeet, The Salish/Kootenai Confederation, The Influence of European Immigrants

Work House Units

Unit One
People and Glacier

Unit One introduces students to the significance of Glacier National Park for the Blackfeet, Kootenai, Salish, Pend d’Oreille and others.
Unit Two
Mountains and Mountain Building

Unit Two covers how mountains form, and the significance of mountains to the Blackfeet, Kootenai, Salish, and Pend d’Oreille.
Unit Three
Climate Changes: Glaciers and Glaciation

Unit Three focuses on the concept of glaciation and its effect on mountain ecosystems
Unit Four
Native Plants

Unit Four focuses on the importance of native plants to the economy and culture of American Indian peoples, and their ecological importance.
Unit Five
Animals and Habitat

Unit Five focuses on animals both in Blackfeet, Kootenai, Salish, and Pend d’Oreille culture, and in the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem.
Complete Program
Work House Program

Work House a science and Indian education program with Glacier National Park.