We Are All Treaty People

OTC Youth Culture Camp

  • Published - 10/02/2020
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  • Posted By - OTC
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The Office of the Treaty Commissioner youth initiative spent three snowy days in February at Ministikwin Winter Cultural Camp, near Cold Lake, Alberta.

According to the youth, by the end of the time there the camp felt like it was home. We were so happy to hear this during the sharing circle.

For many of the youth this was their first-time trying activities like dog sledding, ice fishing, setting a net with a jigger, checking nets, making fires, boiling tea, making dry moose meat, learning to speak Cree, filleting fish, skinning, snowshoeing, and entering a sweat lodge.

“Even just sitting around the fire sharing stories and laughing was good. This was what our ancestors did, this was enjoyable and calming for the youth, no cell service, no social media and they loved it,” said Angie Merasty, Youth in Service Project Coordinator.

Many staff from the OTC as well as parents and chaperones joined in the activities and the youth during the trip.

We are grateful to the culture camp for treating us well, but also to the Cold Lake First Nation Chief Roger Marten who dropped by to meet the youth and welcomed us into his territory.