Youth camping trip teaches dependability

Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Monday, December 23, 2013

WHATI/LAC LA MARTRE
The first step to learning responsibility is learning to value where you come from, says Whati's justice co-ordinator.

That's why Mary Ann Jeremick'ca's on the land program is so important for youth in her community, she said.

Jeremick'ca and a team of elders and teachers from Mezi Community School take a group of youth between 12 and 19 years old on a 10-day survival course every summer.

Students are taught to respect their land and the elders who fought to keep it. The Tlicho Land Claims and Self-government Agreement is the product of that struggle, she said.

"One of the main components is I teach them how to identify and acknowledge that they are Tlicho citizens," Jeremick'ca said. "Because we are self-government, we have a huge land that we occupy. I think one of the main things I'm trying to teach the youth is to look after the land, because they are going to benefit, not the elders who fought so many years for it."

Each year, youth are interviewed for a spot on the trip and a group of elders decide who will go, with input from teachers and Jeremick'ca.

She said they focus on youth who don't have the opportunity to go out on the land, and would most benefit from the experience.

"A lot of people don't have the time to take their family out on the land," she said. "There are only a few who do have the luxury to do it."

The group leaves Whati by boat and spends 10 days learning skills such as how to properly put up a tent and how to hunt ducks and other animals.

Youth are paid a small stipend, about $30 a day, and sign a contract agreeing they will do their share of work and listen to instructors during the trip. Failing to live up to the agreement is met first with a warning then a boat ride back to town without pay if misbehaviour persists.

Jeremick'ca said this arrangement means participants are aware of the rules and are motivated to be responsible and fulfill their agreements.

"They do take it seriously and that's what keeps them going," she said.

This responsibility then extends into other areas, such as becoming caretakers to the places special to Tlicho people, she said.

During the trip, youth are brought to some of the spiritual places near Lac La Martre, including a spot at the end of the lake. Family members travel to the area ahead of time and are there to meet the group when they arrive and youth demonstrate some of what they've learned to their families.

Jeremick'ca said anyone who watches the youth in action can see their pride and self-respect as they complete their tasks.

"By the time we get to the end of the lake, they're very proud to show their parents they can set up tents," she said.

The group also travels to the site of an old village where Tlicho people lived before the town was established in its current location.

Between 30 and 40 graves are found near the village. Elders talk about the people buried there and the history of their families.

"They clean around the grave and learn about the individual that's buried there," Jeremick'ca said.

Elders also spend time teaching youth about medicinal plants and speak to them in Tlicho, which also makes the trip a 10-day language immersion program.

Jeremick'ca, who is also an interpreter, said teaching youth to love their language is key to keeping it alive.

"That's one of the things I wanted the students really to learn and find passion for it, because I know they love going out on the land but they have to find a way to keep it going," she said.

Jeremick'ca said she is planning next summer's trip, but capacity will depend on funding. Last year, she was able to take 14 youth and she hopes she can take at least that many again.

"Already people are asking, 'can I go again next year?' she said. "It all depends on how much money I get."

She said, ideally, she would like to do the trip in July, which would allow youth to learn how to catch and dry whitefish. Whati is known for its dry fish, and Jeremick'ca said it would be great if the group could make enough for this year's Tlicho Assembly, which will be held in Whati.

In the meantime, Jeremick'ca said her other duties as justice co-ordinator will keep her busy.

"That's one of the things I love about my job is I'm able to help people," she said.