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Youth Reclaim Ancestral Skills at Saskatchewan Culture Camp
30 Sep
Summary
- Youth and elders gather for land-based teachings at Cowessess First Nation.
- Camp focuses on restoring traditional knowledge lost during residential schooling.
- Hunting and harvesting teach youth vital cultural and survival skills.
Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan is hosting its annual culture camp this week, fostering intergenerational connections through land-based teachings. Youth and residential school survivors are participating in activities designed to revive traditional knowledge and cultural practices.
The camp emphasizes hands-on learning such as processing animals, hunting, and gathering medicinal plants. These skills are crucial for preserving ancestral knowledge that was impacted by the residential school system. The initiative also addresses community health, with youth-driven ideas to prevent Type 2 diabetes through traditional food practices.
Participants like Boston Bear, a hunter from Ochapowace First Nation, mentor youth in hunting techniques, emphasizing reconnection with the land. This process grounds participants and helps them find their identity. The camp fosters a sense of fulfillment by bringing elders and youth together to celebrate and strengthen their cultural heritage.
