It was a busy time for the fifty-six (56) Native youth who attended the Mi’kmaw Science Cultural Camp 2000. Open to Mi’kmaw students in grades 7 through 10, this year’s camp drew students from Membertou, Chapel Island, Eskasoni, Wagmatcook, Waycobah, Pictou Landing, Shubenacadie, and Abegweit (PEI) First Nations.Students were housed at the Coast Guard College near Sydney. Up at 7:00 a.m. every morning, activities included field trips and visits from elders, scientists and crafts people. Students also had a chance to relax, swim, play basketball, watch movies, sing karaoke, and dance.

The Mi’kmaw Science Cultural Camp strives to encourage students to pursue science and to correct the historical under-representation of Mi’kmaq in science related degree programs and careers. Science activities and cultural activities are combined to show students that natural science is a part of their Mi’kmaw heritage and that science is fun and interesting.

A key aspect of the camp is bringing students and elders together, encouraging community and sharing in a positive atmosphere. In one week, students are exposed to activities, places, people, and options they may not have considered before.

Students walked the Mi’kmaw Trail at the Fortress of Louisbourg where one guide explained the historical role of the Mi’kmaq and another showed medicinal plants and told of the innovations in the field of medicine by the Mi’kmaq.

View from inside Kluskap’s Cave
Some students were awed at being on the ocean and seeing a pod of pilot whales beside their boat.
Exploring Kluskap’s caves was a big accomplishment to those who completed a rigorous hike through mountainous terrain.

In the laboratory at the University College of Cape Breton, students performed a dissection, enabling them to look at organs, see brains, kidneys, and intestines up close. They learned how to use a microscope, examining tissues and watching microorganisms as they crawled, ate, and battled. They also learned how to identify insects.

At Two Rivers Wildlife Park in Mira, students saw bears, moose, owls, eagles, porcupines, otters, and learned about each animal.

Leroy Denny, Frederica Francis, and Patrick Jeddore led an introductory talking circle for students at the camp, explaining the significance of the talking circle and discussing identity, reasons for being at the camp, and hopes and plans for the future. “ It worked well with the kids and showed them what is a healing circle. Some of them didn’t even know what it was,” explained Frederica, “The talking circle is coming back stronger and it’s working for our people.”

The camp allowed many youngsters to rediscover traditional knowledge. Traditional crafts were taught by artists and elders. The sweat lodge was explained by Eugene Denny, who showed students a sweat and explained its significance to spirit and community. Dr. Margaret Johnson told a variety of stories, some funny, some scary, many that carried a lesson. Students were encouraged to speak the Mi’kmaw language, and students who weren’t fluent were encouraged to learn.

Students had a chance to have some fun and make friends with other youth who share an interest in science and culture. “I want to live here,” sighed one student, apparently not tired out yet, “Can I come back next week?” Hopefully, the science camp will help strengthen pride in culture and help give confidence to those who might consider a career in science.

The Donald Marshall Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund supports Mi’kmaw post-secondary students at the diploma, certificate, bachelor and graduate levels.  The fund will contribute two annual scholarships for one thousand dollars each on or before October 1 (Treaty Day).  One will be for undergraduate studies and one for graduate studies.

The deadline for applications is August 31, 2000.

Contact Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey to obtain an application form and all information, or visit the www.kinu.ns.ca web site.

The staff of Atlantic Canada’s First Nation Help Desk is busily preparing a full calendar of events and contests for the next school year.  Staff will attend an Industry Canada help desk seminar in Ottawa on August 10-11 and will also coordinate SchoolNet computer upgrades in Atlantic Canada.  See firstnationhelp.com for details and updates.

Work from the P.S.E. review and related documents have been forwarded to the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) in Ottawa for submission to Cabinet in the fall.  The submission will use data from Nova Scotia to illustrate the issues related to severe funding shortfalls of the National Post Secondary Education program for Native students.