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To highlight the work Creation Grantees are doing in their communities, the Creation Community Grants Team sends out Q&A forms so they can share their experiences creating and carrying out their projects. Today we are featuring responses of the Lake Superior High School Anishinaabemowin Boodawe Committee.
Community: Terrace Bay
Grant Type: Youth Empowerment Stream
Q: Tell us about your group and project!
A: Over the last five years Indigenous students from Lake Superior High School have participated in drumming and Anishinaabe language program with Elders and Knowledge Keepers from Pays Plat First Nation. Three years ago, Indigenous student leaders identified that hosting a Powwow on the National day for Truth and Reconciliation was an authentic means to teach the broader community about the 94 Calls to Action and Truth and Reconciliation.
Emerging from this project was also the desire to create ribbon skirts and jingle dresses. Elders and Knowledge Keepers from local Indigenous communities passed on intergenerational knowledge to the students to be able to create jingle dresses and ribbon skirts. These students are now also able to run a Powwow independently with minimal Elder and Knowledge Keeper support promoting intergeneration knowledge and culture transfer.
It is important that Indigenous knowledge and culture not be seen as an add-on to school learning and culture, but as a vital and valued aspect of holistic education.
Q: As the youth running the project, what impact do you hope it will have?
A: It is critically important that students spend time with Elders and Knowledge Keepers in our Indigenous communities as part of their education as future leaders. The grant from Indigenous Youth Roots provided the necessary monetary support to allow students to purchase the necessary materials to make jingle dresses, prepare the feast, and to honour the participants and Knowledge Keepers with honorarium showing value to their time and knowledge. Understanding the different aspects of a Powwow, the importance and cultural significance to Indigenous people, the importance of language for cultural conservation, and even spending time with members of the Indigenous community forming relations was an integral part of this project. Hosting a Powwow on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is also critical as it allows non-indigenous people to participate in truth and reconciliation in an authentic way that is community focused.
Over the last few years, with the support of Indigenous Youth Roots, we’ve seen Indigenous students become leaders and take pride in their community, culture, and language. We’ve seen them grow academically and spiritually, and it has been life-changing for them.
Q: What is something you have learned?
A: A friend of ours once said, first truth, then reconciliation. Indigenous Youth Roots’ monetary support for the student lead Powwow has allowed for Indigenous youth to immerse themselves with cultural leaders in their communities and to learn cultural practices that are important for cultural preservation and survival. It has also shifted the school and community culture to seeing Indigenous youth as leaders within the school and broader community. It is important that Indigenous knowledge and culture not be seen as an add-on to school learning and culture, but as a vital and valued aspect of holistic education.
Q: As the youth running the project, what impact do you hope it will have?
A: Over the last many years, we have been trying relentlessly to bring together Lake Superior High School with Pays Plat First Nation Elders and knowledge Keepers to engage Indigenous students with their culture, and non-Indigenous students with truth and reconciliation authentically. It has been a long road. Over the last few years, with the support of Indigenous Youth Roots, we’ve seen Indigenous students become leaders and take pride in their community, culture, and language. We’ve seen them grow academically and spiritually, and it has been life-changing for them. The Anishinaabe language and drumming program is thriving. We can’t thank Indigenous Youth Roots enough for their continued grant support as it has made a massive difference in their lives and the lives of our collective communities.
It is critically important that students spend time with Elders and Knowledge Keepers in our Indigenous communities as part of their education as future leaders.
