Fort Qu'Appelle hosts land based cultural event, linking youth to traditional culture
Fort Qu’Appelle’s treaty grounds are transformed into a large outdoor classroom for a week long Indigenous youth land based cultural camp, where youth and families can learn to cook moose meat, bead, create a drum, or get information on traditional healing methods.
The camp is also geared on healing through education, focusing on health in a holistic way, to pass onto the next generations.
“We’re looking at ways to improve health outcomes to our people. We’re not discounting western knowledge and western science, but we want to incorporate our traditional beliefs, ceremonies practices and elders into a part of that system,” said Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) First Vice Chief David Pratt.
The event welcomes not just youth, however.
Rosella Goodwill-Archdale is teaching traditional medicine practices to parents, showing what locally grown remedies can do — along with a look back at what parents did generations ago to keep their children healthy.
“It’s very important. I have learned from my elders. A lot of them are passed on now. I’m just going with a little bit of information and I hope it reaches out, and someone will pick it up,” she said.
Beading was a big draw for the younger crowds.
“I feel like I’m getting really close within my culture than I usually am,” said Ochapowace First Nation member Abby Watson.
Others had a better handle on the teachings — like Daniel Walker, who said he uses the traditional teachings in his everyday life.
“It’s been in our generation for thousands of years, before the settlers came in,” said the young Okanese First Nation member.
“It’s been in our culture. In our blood, you know?”
When it comes to bison, many teachings surround the animal, including a rundown on what uses the animal has had in the past, to cooking and preparing full bison.
Getting the youth involved is integral, due to what was lost during residential schools, according to Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association Grand Chief David Gamble.
“To have a better understanding — that we’re all here to listen. No one’s judging you. Nobody is taking anything from you. You just need to take the good from here — and leave the bad,” he said.
The event continues at the Fort Qu’Appelle treaty grounds until Friday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.