KENORA — The Kenora Chiefs Advisory summer students wrapped up their summer employment experience which facilitated the learning of leadership skills, participating in cultural activities, and enjoying some outdoor fun.
The Kenora Chiefs Advisory Youth and Family Wellness Camp both were hosts to youth summer students from KCA and Treaty Three Police Service, on Aug. 22-23, 2022. Students ranged from 15-25 years of age, and were able to spend their summer working with a variety programs and organizations across both KCA and T3PS.
The summer camp offered students the ability to get to know community members, from Kenora Makwa Patrol to working with animals. They were also able to coordinate events out of the Youth and Family Wellness Camp, as 17 students spent their summer with KCA engaging with communities and participating in cultural exchange.
During the two-day retreat, students participated in activities that included:
- Land-based learning with local Knowledge Keepers
- Equine assisted learning with Ojibway Spirit Ponies
- Storytelling with local Elders
- Recreational activities such as canoeing, sports and games
One participant, Joshua O’Conner who was employed with Makwa Patrol this summer, described his time as being “very intense” as a result of spending most of his time-out on foot patrol.
When asked what he gained from his experience this summer, O’Connor spoke about how this helped him learn to keep an open mind. “One thing I took away was to have an open mind in whatever state they are in, no matter the demographic. The think I took away from this summer is to treat people equally and fairly, and to always make sure they are safe,” stated O’Connor.
Another participant, Adrians Novak worked at the Youth and Family Wellness Camp this summer as the summer student camp coordinator. She spoke about her favorite thing to do while working in her role. “I was kind of like an assistant. I helped with anything and everything that was going on out here at the camp,” said Novak. “My favorite thing about working out here would be all of the different cultural-based coordinating that I got to do, and I got to learn so much about how to use the land to create opportunities for healing,” added Novak.
Noval just graduated from university from the Education program and as a teacher, she viewed this experience as an opportunity to practice coordinating and working with groups.
Serena Kenny, KCA operations manager at the Youth and Family Wellness Camp, spoke about how the two-day retreat allowed for team building and taught the students about leadership. “We did lots of team building. We learned about leadership, how to take the skills that they learned this summer and put them onto their resumes,” described Kenny. “There were lots of laughs, lots of food, and it was a great time, “added Kenny.
KCA offered their gratitude by thanking each of their community partners. “KCA would like to say miigwetch to our community partners: Seven Generations Education Institute and Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong, and the government of Canada-Canada Summer Jobs Program for supporting this youth employment initiative,” concluded KCA.
