Students encouraged to travel, challenge their perceptions

A group of students from the University of Calgary took learning to the next level during their mid-February reading week break.

Participants in the Canadian Roots Northern Exchange program spent time at the Enoch and Sucker Creek First Nations and Gift Lake Métis Settlement, engaging Elders and community members, gaining an understanding into the diversity of Aboriginal communities in northern Alberta.

“The students were welcomed into the communities.
They were provided a rare opportunity to understand the true reality in the lives of Aboriginal people in Canada,” said Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux founder of Canadian Roots. “Every night there would be talking circles to debrief on the days activities. The students were provided feasts and learned the traditional practices from the Elders. Some of the food consumed was moose meat, berry soup, flan and bannock.”

With the aid of two culture guides and two program facilitators, the Canadian Roots Northern Exchange sets out to engage Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students from the U of C to experience Aboriginal life in Alberta.
“The success came from their changed perceptions of Aboriginal people and from their changed perceptions of their own identity,” said Wesley-Esquimaux.

The program, which began in 2010, aims to promote cross cultural understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth, provide an exciting and educational experience on historical and current Aboriginal issues, and explore the daily realities of First Nations and Métis communities from an internal perspective.

“The students were able to engage in cultural exchange with the communities they visited.  They learned about the political, economic and social world in these communities. Another important success was the relationships that were formed in the process, which will hopefully be something that lasts for the rest of their lives,” said Ramona Beatty, professor at the U of C.

Participation in the program costs $600 and includes all food, transport and accommodations.  Support from community sponsors and the U of C keeps the cost low. Needs-based scholarships are available to help out with costs.

Beatty said the program allows students to “challenge (their) own perceptions, gain awareness of Aboriginal cultures and travel during reading week.”