Six Nations Polytechnic STEAM Academy with the generous support of Actua, Canada's leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) organization, facilitated SNP STEAM Academy's Land Camp from July 3 to July 14th. Land Camp was offered as a reach ahead credit for graduating grade 8 students and as a credit for students entering grade 10 at SNP STEAM Academy this fall.
Actua is a national charity that is preparing youth to be innovators and leaders by engaging them in exciting and accessible STEM experiences that build critical employability skills and confidence. This summer's Land Camp focused on Community, Culture, and Digital Agriculture.
Six Nations youth had an educational and memorable two weeks with activities that sparked new interests and teachings but also focused on building skills such as leadership, teamwork and collaboration. Participants immersed themselves into STEAM activities that involved coding, digital designing, community mapping and even more so, building a model birch bark canoe, a hand-crafted blanket, and a beautiful ash basket! In their leisure, the youth were also able to experience a self-portrait painting project, develop active living habits and the preparation of a healthy lunch.
Outdoor activities from kayaking, canoeing, tree and plant identification, agricultural lessons, orienteering challenges, archery, and yoga were enjoyed by the students. Traditional and cultural teachings, including Haudenosaunee ways of living together and maintaining food sustenance, were shared by local farmers, athletes, knowledge keepers and storytellers. Students gained more knowledge of the Thanksgiving Address, the Creation Story, Wampum Belts, White Corn Sustenance, Lacrosse, Cornhusk Art, Lessons on the Gustoweh, Storytelling and Condolence.
A highlight to most was the evening visits from singer, songwriter Lacey Hill, Knowledge Keeper Tom Deer, and S.N.I.P.E. Presenters shared their own valuable knowledge, followed by s'mores and an overnight stay in the beautifully designed log cabins at Chiefswood Park.
With two action packed weeks coming to an end, Land Camp 2023 wrapped up with a closing event where video highlights were shared, and youth participants were honoured. Parents/grandparents, MP for Brant Larry Brock, Six Nations Polytechnic President/CEO Rebecca Jamieson, and Judy Reuben Director, SNP STEAM Academy were in attendance and shared congratulatory messages. Land Camp 2023 was a huge success!
SNP would like to extend our gratitude and recognize SNP's Land Camp Coordinator, Connie McGregor, Sade:konih and Village Pizza for the great food, Whitlea Henry from Tourism for the fun activities, and Chiefswood Park staff for their excellent care. Nya:weh!
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