Youth retreats building Aboriginal leaders with knowledge

The Indigenous Peoples Program (IPP) operates through the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) to conduct Aboriginal Youth Leadership Training Retreats based on Arts and Culture.

The retreats are separated into Iskwewak (Cree for women) and Napewak (Cree for men) youth retreats with the main focus on leadership, self-esteem, drama, active participation and cultural topics.

“It allows concerns of both females and males to be addressed in a comfortable environment,” said Alex Munoz, IPP Program Manager.

The Youth Leadership Training Retreats have run for ten years, with the first five years of retreats occurring twice a year and primarily for female participants.

When Munoz stepped into his position as Program Manager five years ago, he brought in a male retreat, bringing the total to four retreats a year held in both Fall and Spring.

The last camp that just finished in April was a science-based retreat, he said, which was the first of its kind through the IPP. The male retreat ended in March with 18 youth participating while the female retreat wrapped up in April with 12 youth participants.

Each morning would start with a sharing circle and an Elder prayer, than the youth ages 16-21, were introduced to learning about science through hands-on activities.
Munoz said the science camp was a great way to inform youth about potential future careers in science and technology.

“With the Aboriginal youth population being the fastest growing in Saskatchewan and since there is a minority of Aboriginal students in the science field, it is important to get Aboriginal youth interested, excited and willing to explore the field of science,” he said.

Normally the science field is intimidating to young Aboriginal people, Munoz added, and this shows them that science needs to be embraced and not feared. It further shows youth that science can be fun and that there are employment opportunities in the future.

The youth participating in the Youth Leadership Culture and Science retreats are chosen by their respective schools after completing application forms.

The facilitators are recommended and selected by the communities or schools on the criteria of their ability to mentor young people as well as other abilities.

With the retreats going for the last ten years and considering their effectiveness, Munoz believes that the project can be sustainable. He added that in the upcoming year they are looking to have eight retreats annually.

The program also offers Aboriginal high school students the opportunity to tour the U of S and attend housing workshops on finding affordable housing.

“A lot of Aboriginal students should be inspired to start thinking about their role as leaders in their communities,” Munoz said.

“This is what the training retreats attempt to accomplish because in the future these same high school students will be adults whose leadership to their own community and cultures will be a great asset,” he added.

The leadership retreats held through the IPP hold a maximum of 20 seats for both male and female and will only occur if there are a minimum of 10 registered. The new science retreat was held in partnership with the College of Engineering at the U of S.

The IPP and the Youth Leadership Training retreats are sponsored in part by SaskCulture, SaskLotteries and the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport-Community Initiatives Fund.

To check into future opportunities go to www.ccde.usask.ca, or for more information about the programs call (306) 966-2027; or email alex.munoz@usask.ca.  Youth who have previously participated in a retreat can also apply again based on availability.