Students in Grades 4 and 5 traveled to Wauzhushk Onigum Nation (WON) last week for the annual Fall Harvest. This year marks the 15th year since the partnership between WON and Kenora Catholic began.
The Fall Harvest is an opportunity for students to learn more about the traditional Anishinaabe culture and ways of living including, harvesting, hunting, cooking and crafting.
“I’m really happy we actually got to go this year. We didn’t get to do a lot of things last year, so I’m really happy to be here today,” said Mya. “I also really like learning more about Ojiway and Anishinaabe culture and I like exploring around here.”
An exciting station this year was the harvesting station where students got to see a Moose being harvested, something that doesn’t happen every year, as it all depends on what hunters are able to bring home. There were also partridge that students could pluck, wild rice to harvest and then cook and Bannock to roast on a stick over a campfire.
Inside the Youth and Senior’s Centre students enjoyed making traditional crafts. They could make a dream catcher, medicine pouch or both.
“I made mine in all black and used sparkly beads, so it was fun. There were also some people we didn’t know from other schools that we got to talk to so that was fun,” said Emily.
Students from St. louis Living Arts School and École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys visited Pow wow Island on Thursday, while students from St. John Paul II School traveled to the community on Friday.
Shelly Tom is the FNMI Coordinator for the school board and she explained why she thinks it’s important to continue the tradition of the Fall Harvest.
“I think it’s really good that we show respect by going on their land and experiencing things on their land. We are very fortunate to be able to come out here. We’re welcomed by the community and they include us in the events that are going on,” she said.
Each station is run by a Wauzhusk Onigum community member. Tom thanked everyone who gave their time and expertise to help students once again enjoy the Fall Harvest.