Positive Pathways to a Brighter Future
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BLIND
RIVER Enjikendaasang Learning Centre is located in the village of Blind River along the north shores of Lake Huron. The Centre provides services to the native population from a large area stretching both east and west of Blind River. Its area encompasses a number of different native nations. These north shore communities are:
Enjikendaasang Learning Centre joined Trails to Literacy in December of 2001. They had a number of ideas that fit well with the Trails' participatory learning profile. The decision came down to a series of workshops that featured different Native, culturally- relevant materials and approaches to learning, demonstrating and teaching many lost skills from the old ways of the Ojibway. Contacts were re-established with Ontario Works within three First Nation communities to obtain the necessary support needed to see the project through. Connections were also made with elders and other people interested in sharing their knowledge of the various crafts. Three initial information sessions introduced the project. At the Sagamok Anishnabek meeting there were approximately 30 in attendance, as well as 10 at Mississauga First Nation and Serpent River First Nation. From these sessions various areas of interest were expressed. Following this, each participant reviewed their particular goal. Plans were made to carry each project out, including seeking out the resources for each individual or group activity. Then the 'work' began. Some of the projects were:
The largest interest was around cradleboards. A 2-day session was held in conjunction with the Ojibway Cultural Foundation. Participants included seniors, adults and a newborn infant for demonstrations. Parents were encouraged to work together. The group talked about the kinds of wood to use, soaking of the wood and traditional teachings of the cradleboard. This included roles of men and women and types of medicine used in pregnancy. Modern electrical tools such as circular saws, jigsaws, sanders and sewing machines were used, which provided new learning experiences for many women and men. The cradleboards were decorated with wood burning designs of the participant's dodems or other designs of significance. A luncheon and smudging ceremony wound up the project. Twelve cradleboards were completed. One participant plans to continue making cradleboards, refining and enhancing his skills and art, in order to keep the craft alive. The participants were very enthusiastic about all the projects and attendance remained steady with little or no dropouts. The interest by community members was also overwhelming. Overall there were 52 participants within 3½ months. This kind of enthusiasm, developed while directing their projects towards cultural and historical goals, is rewarding not only for the individual but also for the Trails to Literacy project's goals of encouraging self-direction and discovery. Join a Trail Today! Volunteers | Learners | Sponsors | Agencies
For more information visit the Mississauga First Nation web site or contact:
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