Discovering, reclaiming, and learning the ancestral ways of life – this is the driving purpose of the Indigenous Youth Storytelling Program.
In partnership with the Seven Oaks School Division’s Mino Bimaadiziwin program (Anishinaabemowin, meaning “The Good Life,”) Assiniboine Park Conservancy hosted a group of Indigenous high school students from West Kildonan Collegiate, Collége Garden City Collegiate and Maples Collegiate almost every Thursday afternoon in July & August to learn from different elders and knowledge keepers, explore their history and culture, and connect (or reconnect) with their Indigenous identity. The Park has been able to partner with this program every year since its inception in 2021.
Indigenous Youth Storytelling Program participants engage with a fire teaching, where they made tobacco pouches.
“This program was really fun work to put together but also really important work because I saw its impact on the youth. It was inspiring to see the way they changed over the summer -- from being so shy at the start to being so open, sharing more and participating more by the end because they felt more comfortable being here [at Assiniboine Park] and in this space,” said Chandra Petti, Indigenous Program Facilitator and first-year facilitator for the program at Assiniboine Park. “It was really rewarding to be a part of this work that can impact their lives, and I hope they think about this program and their time here as they grow up.”
During their time in the program at Assiniboine Park, they participated in multiple pipe ceremonies with Kookum Gayle Pruden, Elder Derek Courchene, and Elder Lori Thompson, a workshop in traditional Indigenous games with Norbert Mercredi, and more.
New to Assiniboine Park's curriculum this year was working with the Circle of Courage, a model of empowerment that helps bring youth to a state of harmony through its four main sections: belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.
Participants burn their tobacco pouches at the Fire Node in The Leaf's Indigenous Peoples Garden.
Although these students experienced so much fun and connection throughout the program, from time to time, these sessions touch on heavier topics. Rather than retreating, they gave each other space to open up and create even deeper connections.
“Every day, we got closer to each other, learning from each other. You know, we’re very vulnerable with each other, and it makes us very well connected. It’s like a family here, and I really like it,” says 2024 Student Mentor Jaidyn I.
The students were able to be a part of experiences that, for some, are not present in their day-to-day lives, such as participating in a traditional sweat. The caveat, however, was this program’s spirit came with the understanding to each student that after they’ve embraced what they learned, it comes with a responsibility to share it with their communities and beyond, as they embark into adulthood.
Participants play traditional Indigenous games in their workshop with Norbert Mercredi.
“Every day is a learning experience for you and everyone else around you. We’re the next generation to teach and carry on these traditions when the generation ahead of us goes, so it’s very important to be involved and learn and reconnect so the teachings don’t get lost,” says Jaidyn I.
When the participants were asked what they would take away from the program, both during their time with Assiniboine Park’s programming and Mino Bimaadiziwin, the importance of continuing their cultural education shone through.
“I just want to learn. I just want to keep learning about my culture and different teachings and not be scared to go out there and talk and share stories,” says 2024 student Selena D.
Participants play traditional Indigenous games in their workshop with Norbert Mercredi. Did you know that games such as hockey and lacrosse originated from Indigenous tribes?
The program’s Anishinaabemowin name, Ndibaajimomin Ejhi Waabamaang, (“We share our stories our way,”) was gifted by Elder Mary Courchene and it’s a perfect fit to what this program is about. If these students can continue to share their ancestral stories, engage with their culture, and live the good life, it will benefit not just them, but their communities and future generations to come.
“When you take a group of people, and you do everything you can do to just stomp out their culture and their history and who they are, it’s a lot to come back from. So, having programs like these where you can be around those elders and knowledge keepers and learn all these different traditional ways and learn different, modern teachings as well, it is just invaluable,” says 2024 student Samuel K.