Traditional education
Youth and Elders gather for conference in Jasper, Alberta
By Terry Lusty
The oral tradition and education of Alberta Aboriginal youth through Elders was rejuvenated August 21st - 24th thanks to a decade-old marrying of youth and Elders at the Palisades Centre near Jasper, Alberta. Sponsored by the Alberta Native Friendship Centre Association (ANFCA), the 11th Youth and Elders Gathering in a wilderness setting brought together dozens of participants from throughout Alberta so youth could learn and benefit from the knowledge and experience of Elders as was customary in days long ago.
Though not new or revolutionary, education through oral tradition has been on the decline for some time. One major culprit in this scenario has been the loss of verbal communications and the transmission of knowledge plus the fact that today’s youth are increasingly drawn to video and digital games and recreation. This all comes at the expense of losing ground to new entertainment and educational forms. For starters, it means that some traditional pastimes – like beading and craft making – have had to take a back seat to modernism.
However, the ANFCA is on a mission to change this picture. Over 10 years ago it initiated the Gathering as a means that would witness Elders sharing generations-old knowledge, skills and talents with others. This year’s gathering partnered each youth with an Elder on a one-to-one basis so that the flow of information would be more enhanced and of value to the recipients.
The Elders’ first role was to teach the youth how to build and start a fire using only one match-stick. This exercise was followed by a series of other activities – doing beadwork, making talking sticks, learning the history of tobacco use, Residential Schools history, family violence and parenting as well as the Grandfathers Project (storytelling).
The Jasper outing further provided an opportunity to pick wild mint, sing around campfires, tell stories and discuss hopes, wants and needs, and more. Most youth expressed a sincere delight in being part of the event and a desire to partake of such occasions in future.