Youth camp aims to renew tribal cultural awareness

12 years ago

Youth camp aims to renew tribal cultural awareness

By Donna DeLong

Special to The Star-Herald

    CARIBOU — A week-long Tribal Summer Youth Program, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to benefit New England’s 10 federally-recognized Indian tribes, ended recently with a closing ceremony at the Aroostook Band of Micmac’s cultural facility at Spruce Haven on the Doyle Road.

    The primary goals for this event were to use environmental issues as a way to enhance the development of problem solving and critical thinking skills and to promote interest in environmental issues and science. Organizers also hoped to increase cultural awareness in those who participated in the event.

    Tribal youth between the ages of 12-18 were busy in numerous activities with environmental and natural resource activities including presentations from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Micmac Environmental Department. Participants also enjoyed many recreational activities such as camping, swimming and various Tribal cultural activities, including drumming, singing, native arts, and a sweat-lodge ceremony.

    Organizers believe tribal language is becoming a lost language and many of the tribal stories and ceremonies are not actively used by the younger generation. The fear is that many of these precious ancient elements will be lost. Tribal leaders are working hard to engage the youth to embrace their heritage and learn the language so that they may pass their heritage along to the next generation.

    Living off the land and knowing how to keep the environment stable has always been a natural way of Tribal life. During this intensive, yet fun, adventure, the Tribal Summer Youth Program taught many of the lost ways and leaned heavily on environmental impacts, language and social skills. They also worked on skills that will carry them throughout their life to promote success.

    Two elements that anchored the weeklong event were problem solving and critical thinking. These two very important skills will impact tribal youth for success in many aspects of their life.

    The week was filled with many activities and specialists representing different tribes. Traditional herbalist, Jennifer Neptune, taught campers what plants they could use from the land to help with healing. Tribal Elder and Historic Preservationist, Donald Soctomah, shared his knowledge of petroglyphs (prehistoric drawings done on rock). Passamaquoddy environmentalist, Matt Dana taught about map and compass reading. Penobscot Elder, Dale Lolar taught on Medicine Wheel Teachings of Mind, Body, and Spirit and how activities such as native running can keep youth connected to their culture and provide pathways for healthy lifestyles.

    David Sanapass, a Micmac Elder, did traditional storytelling and flute prayer. Daily Micmac language lessons were offered by John Dennis. A presentation was held on dam removal on the Penobscot River for the return of sea run fish from Vera Francis and Eddie Bassett, Passamaquoddy activists. Director John Banks and staff of the Penobscot Nation’s Department of Natural resources discussed the protection of lands, waters and natural resources. Passamaquoddy artist, David Moses Bridges presented the art of the rebirth of the Passamaquoddy birch bark canoe and also an opportunity to try their hand at bark art. Micmac Food Sovereignty and Garden Tours were held with holistic non-conventional master gardener David Macek.

    Each day started at 6 a.m. and went to 7 or 8 p.m. Language lessons and group circle discussion and reflection were held each day. The youth learned song and dance and participated in many cultural activities that tied together to form a well-rounded vision of traditional tribal life.

    This opportunity to meet with so many of Maine’s tribes and learn from all different aspects of tribal life is one that is crucial in the continuation of the culture.