The Aki Kikinomakaywin: Learning on the Land STEAM program a hit amongst Indigenous youth – Anishinabek News
August 7, 202
THUNDER BAY — The Aki Kikinomakaywin: Learning on the Land STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) program was a hit with a group of 17 Indigenous youth during activities in Thunder Bay and Fort William. The week-long camp, based at Lakehead University’s Thunder Bay campus from July 16-22, included a visit to Anemki Wajiw, a Water Walk along the McIntyre River, a day at the School of Indigenous Learning (SOIL), a Stream Assessment activity featuring water testing and benthic macroinvertebrates collection, classification and ID on the McIntyre River, art sessions with Indigenous artists Shelby Gagnon and Betty Carpick, a visit to the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, and outings to Sandy Beach and Boulevard Lake.
“Today, when I was going through the Water Walk, we all put our tobacco down and got prepared for the ceremony,” says Michelle Jones, mother of one of the participants and Garden River citizen. “The kids were so quiet and they took pride in what they were doing.”
