M’CHIGEENG—The Journey for Knowledge program at Manitoulin Island’s Weengushk Film Institute (WFI) saw participants embark June 1 on “an unparalleled and transformative four-week cultural exchange trip across Canada and the US.”
Led by two knowledge keepers and an elder, seven youth headed out on an extended road trip westward, starting out from M’Chigeeng with their destination Alert Bay on British Columbia’s Pacific Coast. While there, the group will visit the community of Namgis First Nations on Cormorant Island. Along the way, they will make numerous stops at First Nations across the country providing an unprecedented opportunity to discover the many nuances of Indigenous culture and traditions.
“I’m looking forward to walking alongside the many cultures we’re going to encounter and to see how our values and beliefs differ,” said Presley Meawasige, 26, who hails from Sagamok First Nation. “I can’t wait for my mind to be opened to the possibilities we’re about to experience.”
The WFI contingent will make stops at seven other First Nations communities across Canada, including: The Pays Plat First Nation, an Ojibway community near Rossport northeast of Thunder Bay; Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation near Fort Alexander, along the Winnipeg River in Manitoba; a Metis community in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and Piapot First Nation, a Treaty 4 First Nation in Regina, Saskatchewan.
“They will exchange life experiences with youth from these communities, participate in ceremonies and learn the stories and histories of other cultures,” noted WFI publicist Jeremy Katz. “Additionally, they will venture south of the border to visit the White Earth Indian Reserve in Ogema, Minnesota; the Lac Vieux Desert Indian Reserve in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula region; and significant sites in South Dakota, including the Wounded Knee Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial and Dignity of Earth and Sky.”
“This unprecedented experience, and inaugural groundbreaking program, sets the tone for connection and reconciliation for all,” he continued.
“WFI is a leading Indigenous film and media arts school,” said Mr. Katz, noting the educational institute is “proud to have created the transformative Journey for Knowledge program, an immersive 10-month land-based learning experience centered around the four pillars of Indigenous culture: food, sharing history, land and language.”
The program “recognizes the importance of Indigenous-led education, with elders and knowledge keepers guiding and sharing their wisdom with participants and is accredited through Laurentian University.
“I’ve seen first-hand the impact the land-based training program has had on our youth,” said Dr. Shirley Cheechoo, C.M., WFI founder and executive/artistic director. “They have a willingness to share all this knowledge they have gained from the elders, knowledge keepers, to share with other indigenous communities across this land.”
For more information about the ‘Journey for Knowledge’ program or WFI, readers are invited to visit www.weengushk.ca online.
