Sturgeon Lake First Nation turns outdoors into classroom

Willie Ermine, a traditional health counselor for Sturgeon Lake First Nation, reflects on a formative experience from 45 years ago when his uncle took him and his brother to a clearing by Sturgeon Lake, subtly encouraging them to connect with the land. This moment led to Ermine’s lifelong work of creating cultural camps and land-based learning programs aimed at bridging the generational gap between elders and youth. These camps foster a space where elders and youth can connect, learn Indigenous knowledge, and engage in ceremony and communal activities.

Ermine emphasizes that land-based learning is not just about outdoor activities but about understanding the spiritual and deep-rooted teachings of the land. He stresses that true knowledge cannot be found in books alone, but through experience, ceremony, and spiritual connection. His son, Charlz, sees positive impacts on younger generations who are eager to learn and open to this approach.

Sturgeon Lake First Nation’s Sandra Gamble, a teacher, has also embraced land-based education, seeing its transformative effects on her students. Ermine hopes to create a curriculum that integrates Indigenous knowledge, focusing on the inherent strengths of Indigenous peoples, moving away from the trauma of colonialism, and instead, celebrating the spiritual power of the land.