Nekaneet celebrates youth camp success

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Fifteen young offenders travelled from Regina to Nekaneet First Nation to take part in a youth cultural camp held March 18 to 24.

The boys came from Paul Dojack Youth Centre and the Alternative Measures Program to attend the camp, jointly organized by Nekaneet First Nation and Regina Police Service's cultural unit.

This was the fourth such camp organized by the Regina Police and the first to be held at Nekaneet.

The camp was held as a way to expose Aboriginal youth to First Nations' culture, as well as to promote respect for individuals, the environment and self. The camp also helped young offenders confront many of their issues, while providing them with opportunities to examine their own abilities.

The boys who participated are already in the justice system and the camps are seen as a way of breaking the crime cycle. The focus is on learning in an environment where there are no distractions like television and video games.

The camp program was a balance of cultural, spiritual, physical and emotional activities.

Participants took part in daily pipe and sweatlodge ceremonies, prepared dried meats, and attended lectures and presentations on drug and alcohol abuse, addictions and self-esteem. Nekaneet Elders also took part in the camp, presenting traditional teachings including instruction in how to pick suitable rocks for the sweatlodge ceremony.

Residents from Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge for federally sentenced women also made presentations on healing and recovery issues. At a talking circle held at the lodge, the women spoke about their lives and how they ended up in federal penitentiary.

"The women's stories were very strong and very emotional. It was good that these boys should hear these stories. I think this has changed some of the boys," said Richard Mosquito, Nekaneet NNADAP (National Native Alcohol Drug Addiction Program) worker, and one of the primary camp organizers in the community.

"The boys learnt a lot this past week. Many of the activities were about making good choices, and the traditional teachings emphasized this," Mosquito said.

The Nekaneet First Nation celebrated the success of the cultural camp with a traditional feast and round dance. Speaking following the feast, Nekaneet Chief Larry Oakes said, "We honor the boys for the work they have done this week. We hope that their lives will change and they will continue on with the teachings and ceremonies that they have learned as part of this week."

Chief Oakes is supportive of any program that helps youth gain a better understanding of their culture and spiritual matters. "Perhaps this camp can give them some ideas about how to live better lives," he said.

"These are kids who want to change,they're sick of the street scene and being in trouble with police," said Constable Al Vance from the Regina Police Service's cultural unit. "Each one has shown leadership qualities. We want to give them the opportunity to explore their potential."

Jim Pratt is a First Nation member of the unit and a veteran of the program, having attended all the camps since their inception in 1996.

"The boys were initially a little apprehensive about being with police. However, things got better as the week went on. By Wednesday we were on a first name basis. Now we're like family," Pratt said.

One of the young offenders from the Paul Dojack Youth Centre, who can't be identified under the Young Offenders Act, spoke about his experience at the cultural camp. He said he originally attended the camp to learn more about his First Nation culture and heritage, but came to see there was a broader agenda.

"This week made me think more about my life," he said.

The visit to Okimaw Ochi and talking to the women there left a lasting impression, he explained.

"They had a big impact on me. Started me thinking about where they started out and where they are now," he said. "I've done drugs, although I've been clean for the past two years. It makes you stop and think. This amp has really given me a lot to think about."

He plans to continue what he began at camp when he's released from Dojack Centre.

"I'm thinking about coming down this way and staying with some Elders to learn more about my ancestors. More importantly, I want to learn more about myself," he said.

Nekaneet First Nation and the Regina Police will host another cultural camp in July.