Urban youth delve into culture at Treaty 4 Resurgence Camp near Regina

A group of First Nations teens spent Labour Day weekend at a land-based cultural camp outside Regina.

During the three days, 10 teens ages 15-18 learned survival skills, Cree language lessons, tipi teachings, Dakota elder teachings, and were part of a ceremony.

Clarie Gordon came from Enoch Cree Nation in Alberta, to take part in the camp, held at a horse-assisted therapy centre near McLean, Sask.

"I love the energy here," she said.

"I don't know how to explain it, I just get really good vibes here."

She said she enjoyed being around the horses; before attending the camp she had never been around horses or pet them.

Being a part of a sweat ceremony was also something Gordon never got to experience. She said she was around them as a kid, but never understood what they were about.

"I think it's really like eye-opening," she said.

"I didn't believe in a lot when I came here."

She said she cried a little while she was participating in the sweat ceremony.

"Maybe it could have been from the smoke in my eyes, but I don't know, it was just really emotional."

She said she might've been holding onto a lot before participating in the ceremony, but felt better afterwards.

Jessica Gordon, who is nehiyawak and Anishinaabe from Pasqua First Nation, is the founder and co-ordinator for the Treaty 4 Resurgence Camp. She said it started as a way to teach kids survival skills and cultural teachings.

"I want the students to understand that we come from a really rich culture and really rich history," she said.

The camp is aimed at urban youth, and most of the participants live in Regina or Saskatoon. She said often urban youth don't have much connection to their homelands, or as much access to ceremonies or language.

Sharis Pinay from Peepeekisis Cree Nation works for Horse Spirit Healing and Wellness, where the camp was held, and helped out as a camp leader. She said on the first day they focused on team building.

"It helps them to be really sociable and understand one another and get to know one another," she said.

"They are coming out of their little bubbles and they're blooming."

Funding is through the Future Generations Foundation (formerly NIB Trust Fund) that holds the residual funds from the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

This year there will be a winter camp to teach winter survival skills, including sustenance hunting and trapping on the land. Gordon said a spring camp is also planned where they're going to learn about medicines.