Participants within the Youth Summer Campenjoying a medicine walk on White Fish Island.Click here for larger picture.
Submitted by: MNO Métis Family Wellbeing Coordinator Danielle Morin
Between July 17-21, 2017, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis Council (HSMC) worked with MNO staff in the MNO Sault Ste. Marie office to stage a one week youth summer camp called Portage: A Youth Journey.
Portage: A Youth Journey was open to 12 participants between the ages of 9 to 14. The camp ran from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. During the camp, the young people were divided into focus groups to discuss important topics such as healthy relationships, self-awareness, dealing with emotions and self-acceptance.
During these focus groups the youth also engaged in several different activities.
The activities included: kids in the kitchen, where youth participants were equipped with the necessary tools and resources for proper food handling, exploring healthy food options and meal preparation and planning.
After the youth made their own lunches and snacks for the day, they were engaged in cultural activities such as archery, medicine walk, medicine bags, swimming, loom weaving, voyageur games and the making of a mini drum.
The medicine walk took place on White Fish Island where the young people found the water was so high that their paths were covered and they had to take off their shoes and walk through the water. It was really refreshing on such a hot day!
Overall, the youth all worked well together, made friends and had a great week at summer camp!
Posted: October 3, 2017