Indigenous high school students have the opportunity to participate in a four-day camping experience later this month at Powell River’s Outdoor Learning Centre.
Thuy’she’num Tu Smun’eem: Building a Foundation for our Youth summer camp is being organized by students in Vancouver Island University’s ‘su’luqw’a’ Community Cousins Aboriginal Mentorship Program.
Camps will take place in Duncan, Nanaimo and Powell River. The aim is to help students make the transition from high school to post-secondary education less daunting by providing the mentorship and skills to thrive on a university campus.
“These unique camps combine educational activities with cultural teachings,” said Amber Crittenden, one of the hosts of the Powell River camp.
The program is being provided free of charge for students as a result of funding from the Peter Cundill Foundation, which promotes health, education and well-being of young people. The camps started last year on Vancouver Island with the goal of boosting the number of indigenous youth who make the move to post-secondary education, a number that is currently fewer than half of those who finish high school.
Students will learn about VIU programming, financial literacy, self-awareness, and health and body image, as well as receiving elder teachings and plenty of fun outdoor activities.
“There is definitely a strong cultural component in the programs,” said VIU aboriginal projects coordinator and elder support Sylvia Scow. “We have our elders who work at VIU involved. For Powell River, it will be Eugene Louie, an elder from Tla’amin Nation.”
Discovering that a new school could be a place to learn and evolve while keeping one’s cultural identity and pride is something Crittenden said she wants to share with other youth.
“I’m excited to show students that you don’t lose who you are when you come to VIU,” she added. “You are encouraged to celebrate your identity as an indigenous person.”
There is still room in the Powell River camp, which takes place from from July 16 to 19. For more information or to sign up, email [email protected] or [email protected], or go to the Thuy’she’num Tu Smun’eem Facebook page.
