Cultural camp keeps traditions alive at Blue Quills College

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Blue Quills First Nations College hosted a week-long cultural camp designed for youth and families to learn and follow the traditional teachings of love, honesty, sharing and determination.

The objectives of the camp were to bring generations together to celebrate the spirit of their families. In addition, they hoped to provide emotional and spiritual healing opportunities that will empower communities to break the cycle of abuse and continue the healing journey for generations yet to be born.

"We wanted to provide a collaborative experience in a natural and traditional setting," said Dr. Leona Makokis, president at Blue Quills First Nation College.

According to Makokis, the design for the cultural camp was one of the requirements of the Social Work program at the college.

The students helped organize the camp and they tried to bring in culturally based activities.

Camp participants were involved in numerous activities, such as tipi set-up and teachings, willow basket making, pipe ceremonies, circle teachings and preparation of smoked fish. Recreational activities were also a part of Wednesday's camp agenda; participants took part in hand games, stick games, archery and lacrosse.

Each day, lunch was provided to participants, along with a light supper and feasts on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The last two days of the camp ended with a commemorative walk, sweat lodge, talking circle and an art display, along with activities at the Saddle Lake Healing Lodge.

Makokis and the board of directors decided to have the cultural camp at the college because of the history of the place and as a reminder of what used to go on there. The college is a former residential school where survivors lost their culture, language, parents' affection and community support. Makokis thought it would be appropriate to try and bring the culture back by having the cultural camp hosted at the school.

Since 1971, Blue Quills First Nations College has been controlled by Aboriginal people to ensure that a sense of pride is returned to the people and so that they can reclaim their history and culture.

"I think our focus at the college is to bring the identity, language and journey back to the land,"

said Makokis. "It gives people the opportunity to come back to the land, to learn the values of our grandparents."

The cultural camp was based on ceremonies. Every day started and ended with a pipe ceremony carried out by an Elder. Young people and families focused on the Elder's teachings, smudging, and they had the opportunity to experience two new activities this year, a mini-powwow and a four fires ceremony. The four fires ceremony hasn't been practiced for more than 100 years, so Blue Quills College and Makokis were honored to host it.

"I think we try to bring those ceremonies and teachings alive and to continue practicing them," said Makokis.

"I think it's our responsibility to keep the cultural teachings alive. We have to make a commitment to learn those cultural teachings, so that when we become Elders, we have that responsibility to ensure that the generations to follow have the cultural teachings in place," said Leona Makokis.

With all of the planning, collaboration and energy from volunteers and community members to make this camp possible, Makokis said all of the hard work has definitely paid off because of the families and youth that were brought together. The participation for this event has grown over the past couple of years and Makokis believes that this will continue to grow because of the community's desire to continue the healing journey.

"We wanted the youth to take back with them hope and for them to realize that it's possible to live in this society knowing who you are and getting grounded to the land, language, ceremonies, values and the traditions," said Makokis. "We don't have to give up who we are to be successful."