Youth on the Land initiative creates special opportunities for entire Yorkton school

For many young people, getting outside is the best way to learn.

A study from the National Assessment of Educational Progress found a host of advantages with active, hands-on learning, including boosts in academic performance, memory retention, and mental wellbeing in youth.

Tashena Asham and Taryn Abraham, Indigenous community workers at Columbia School in Yorkton, are more than familiar with these benefits with young people at their school.

This year, Asham and Abraham have created a ‘Youth on the Land’ initiative, which allows students to get out of the classroom and learn traditional teachings and practices on the land. The program, which stretches over three months, involves over 300 students from the school, from pre-kindergarten to grade eight.

“We wanted something very hands-on for our students because a lot of them thrive in that kind of environment rather than being in a classroom setting,” said Asham, a member of Keeseekoose First Nation.

“We get the chance to see these kids in their real, true personalities,” added Abraham, who is of Red River Métis heritage. “With this ‘Youth on the Land’ initiative, they’re getting to experience things they otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to. It’s been pretty incredible.”

The initiative kicked off in March with tipi teachings with Jasmine Albert, in which students were able to construct tipis from the ground up, and learn about their history and cultural significance. In April, land-based educators Garrick Schmidt and Megan Anishinabie took students through a host of traditional practices, from fire starting to skinning and hide tanning, to meat smoking.

Some of the students even surprised the instructors with their enthusiasm.

“We made a traditional brain tanning solution using moose brain soup,” said Abraham. “Some of the students said they wanted to eat the soup. (They did not).”

At the end of May, the hungry students will be treated to the feast they’re looking for. On the 29^th, the initiative is winding up with a large dinner, where the boys will help serve and the girls will help with meal preparation. The meal will be shared with the entire school.