5 summer camps that offer chance to connect with Indigenous culture

Camping can be a wayfor people to disconnect from technology and takea break from the modern world. But cultural and language camps offer campers a chance to reconnect to Indigenous cultures,elders and to theland.

And for some it provides a space to gain confidence speaking alanguage once lost to them.

"To speak Ojibwe is to really know myself, it's who I am," said Dawnis Kennedy, who said theAnishinaabemotaadidaa Immersion Camp she attended last summer in Manitobaallowed her to ask questions and practice Ojibwe in a safe space.

"I haven't really had the opportunity to dothat, and I want that opportunity for the next generation."

Kennedy said her grandparents were taken away to residential schools and their language wasn't spoken while she was growing up. She takes every opportunity to attend language and culture camps.

Here are five camps across the country that hope to bring campers closer to their Indigenous culture.

NehiyawakLanguage Camp

Nehiyawak Language Camp in Wanuskewn Heritage Park, Sask., runs from July 24-28. The language camp will partner with Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre and focus on Nehiyaw (Cree) language, phrases and sayings. It's a family language camp thatoffers a variety of camping and activities. This year they will take part inbuilding birch bark baskets, fishing and learn to smoke the fish.

BelindaDanielshas been running thecamp since 2005, and will be working alongside a group ofteachers.

"Teachers have second language training which is really important and so we basically learn how to speak Cree in the great out doors. And this is where we learn our languagemethodology,is our land."

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Great Lakes Cultural Camp

Great Lakes Cultural Camp, onManitoulin Island, Ont.,runs all year longand looks at culture through outdoor activities like canoeing, kayaking and traditional games.

MaheengunShawada,director and founder, says during summer months participantstravel along water and river ways to explore sacred sites and receive teachings about the area. The program also partners with Anishaabecommunitiesin the surrounding areas to learn canoeing, clean up surrounding areas and learn about historical sacred sites.

That's what AlyssaPaul got to do when she was in the program. TheAnishaabefromTemagamiFirst Nation on Bear Island saidbecause of the camp she felt more connected to the land.

"We have this big huge area that all of our ancestors used, so we went out there and experienced what they did. Just being able to experience my own homeland we're really connected to the stories and the knowledge that our elders shared with us," saidAlyssaPaul.

Ghost River Rediscovery

Ghost River Rediscovery in Calgary, Alta., offers lessons in Aboriginal lifestyle and survival skills throughout the months of July and August, to teens and adults.This year they will be joined bya Blackfoot elder from the Blood Tribe.

The camp encourages all participantsto share their culture, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike. Throughout the year the organizationrunsthree outreach programs in the city of Calgary, so students can stay connected.

KoeyeCamp

Koeye Camp, near Bella Bella in Heiltsuk First Nation, B.C., offers children ages eight to15 teachings and lessons about Heiltsuk culture and achance to learn harvesting, food preservation,and harvesting cedar bark.They also reserve spots for Heiltsukchildrenin foster care, who might not have had exposure to their culture.

Tundra Science and Culture Camp

Tundra Science and Culture Camp nearYellowknife, N.W.T., focuses on teaching youth about science and Indigenousculture. Participants must have completed Grade 10 science. The camp runsfrom July 25 toAug. 3 at Daring Lake, N.W..T.Students would work withscientists, environmental educators, on-site researchers and Tlicho elders.