On a sweltering day this June, the ninth-grade psychology class at Isaac Beaulieu Memorial School went on a field trip to two local traditional sites: Medicine Rock and the Thunderbird Nest. Accompanied by Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation (SBOFN) climate change youth coordinator Kateri Roulette, Elder Wendy Mousseau, and CIER staff members Richard Farthing-Nichol and Anita Murdock, the visit to Medicine Rock included smudging, praying, and sharing stories about the little people (spirits).
“The scenery was really beautiful—the trees, the flowers, and the land in person don’t compare to pictures,” says Tamara Roulette, one of the students who participated. “I learned a lot on the trip.”
Indigenous youth are living in a world of climate change. In addition to becoming the generation that will be responsible for our shared land and water, they are also living through new challenges that Elders haven’t experienced before. Surrounded by forest, Elder Wendy Mousseau spoke to the students about the importance of the traditional medicines and how they help look after our mental health. Following lunch at Lake Manitoba Narrows, the group arrived at the Thunderbird Nest. After a short hike, a tobacco offering was made and the group talked about the story of the Thunderbird.
“My favourite part was during our food break where we went for a walk to the water, says Tamara. “It was a very nice experience to have and I really want to do something like that again, although on a cooler day.”
These students were the winners of the climate awareness diorama activity, and their reward was a day out on the land to listen and learn about traditional sites. The objective of the diorama activity was to display the impacts of climate change witnessed in Sandy Bay, and to research solutions to address those impacts. Ultimately, the messages from these students about their experiences with climate change are crucial for all to witness.
This land-based learning trip was the most recent activity for CIER’s “Strengthening Our Roots” project, which is generously funded by the Climate Impact Fund. Throughout the past year, all classrooms and grades at Isaac Beaulieu Memorial School were visited by Kateri and CIER staff to raise awareness about climate change and brainstorm adaptation actions. The core focus of “Strengthening Our Roots” is that it’s never been more important to support Indigenous youth by raising awareness and sharing knowledge about climate change adaptation, mitigation, and natural infrastructure.
“It was really hot on the day of the trip and there were a lot of bugs, although it is nature,” says Tamara. “I can’t speak for everyone, but I had fun that day.”
