Otawn: A Métis Fall Camp Experience

The fall Métis Youth Cultural Camp, which brought together Métis youth for a celebration of Métis history and
culture, took place Oct. 25-28 at the Horwood Lake Lodge, near Timmins. Click here for a larger version.

Nineteen Métis youth from across the province gathered at the Horwood Lake Lodge, near Timmins, for Otawn: A Métis Fall Camp Experience from October 25-28 in 2018.

The camp celebrated Métis history, as well as traditional and contemporary Métis culture and way of life.

The youth, in Grades 10 to12, enjoyed a packed schedule of activities that included jigging, fishing, hunting, making wool mittens, whittling spoons from driftwood, cooking and more.

The campers were joined by Region 3 MNO Captain of the Hunt Andy Lefebvre who taught them about harvesting on the land.

While hunting, campers harvested a grouse, and learned more about the health benefits of chaga mushrooms, found on birch trees. They also inspected moose tracks determining the sex of the animal, speed and direction of travel.

The activities were part of the fourth of five seasonal Métis Youth Cultural Camps organized by the MNO and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. The winter camp took place in Thunder Bay, the spring camp was held near Midland and the summer camp was a canoe journey from Blind River to Sault Ste. Marie.

The last camp of the series is being planned for winter 2019. Additional details will be posted to the MNO website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages as they become available.

For more photos of the camp, visit the MNO Facebook page.

Posted: Oct. 30, 2018