Youth on the Land
The next generation
For the third consecutive year Stqeeye’ Learning Society has collaborated with School District 64 to co-create a program called Youth on the Land. This is a beautiful coming together of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Youth Mentors with Indigenous and non-Indigenous students on the scared village of Xwaaqw’um to learn about and celebrate Indigeneity. The words, wisdom and teachings of Elders and Knowledge Keepers guide our programing so that we may offer the teachings integrally and respectfully.
Youth on the Land works with Indigenous youth to bring stories, skills and traditional knowledge to life. Harvesting skills, cedar weaving, drumming and story-telling are all taught on the land, as well as knowledge of the seasons and the history of the land.
Intergenerational transfer of knowledge
Stqeeye’ is honoured to have skilled curriculum advisors and Elders walking with us to create rich and living curriculum for youth. Stqeeye’ is committed to focusing on youth, to close the circle between the future and the past, by bringing critical information from Elders to the next generation, and to ensure intergenerational transfer of knowledge. This education ensures that Indigenous people’s have the knowledge to advocate for the Indigenous rights of self determination and free, prior and informed consent.
Cultural practices
Throughout the year our youth engage in a variety of diverse cultural practices. This includes; cedar harvesting, cedar weaving, drum making, song singing, dancing, storytelling, land stewardship from an Indigenous perspective and what land stewardship entails in modern times. Whenever we host Youth on the Land there are Elders and Knowledge Keepers present to share their knowledge (when appropriate to share) with the youth.
Our Elders share that we must always leave something before we take something no matter how seemingly insignificant, we must not ever take more than we need, we give thanks with a grateful heart. These teachings are embedded in all we are and do. To us, this is the true spirit of reciprocity. We are constantly thinking about the seven generations that follow and instill this in our youth.
It is difficult to sum up in English words the positive impacts that Youth on the Land has had for our students but will try to encapsulate and do it justice.
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