Ghost River Rediscovery

"Drawing on the strength of Indigenous culture, the wisdom of the Elders, with a philosophy of love and respect for the Earth and all peoples, Ghost River Rediscovery aims at empowering people of all ages and cultures to discover the natural world, the worlds between cultures and the worlds within themselves."

Ghost River Rediscovery initially started in 1994 by offering summer programs. It has now developed into a year round, internationally recognized community development centre assisting communities in designing their own Rediscovery models. It has designed and developed a school based curriculum which has been adopted by several schools in Calgary. Rediscovery in the Schools curriculum is based on First Nations traditions, yet this educational approach touches students and teachers from all cultures. Rediscovery in the Schools is a culturally based outdoor education program, which strengthens ongoing initiatives in the schools. It is divided into four theme areas:

  1. Introducing the Circle: Cultural Teachings and Outdoor Education. This area includes traditional teachings of mother earth and understanding the local environment. It introduces the concept of the Circle, which is the foundation of Rediscovery model. The Circle is both a philosophical resource as well as a tool for group sharing, learning and bonding.
  2. Bridging Cultures: Traditional Knowledge and Western Education. This theme connects Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and resource technologies as well as oral history to various academic disciplines including the natural sciences, social studies, history and the humanities.
  3. Wilderness Skills: Experiential Education. The third component addresses the practical needs of the wilderness out trips. This involves learning the basics of outdoor gear, trip planning and preparation as well as practical workshops on shelter building, fi re making, animal encounters, basic survival and emergency procedures. These are supported by an array of Rediscovery games and activities, which are proven experiential learning tools.
  4. Touching The Earth/Finding Oneself: Out Trips in the Ghost River Rediscovery Wilderness Area. Day hikes, overnight and three to four day out trips which each somehow incorporate all theme areas and skills known to be taught in schools.

Rediscovery offers a Resource Kit which includes a teacher manual, a student manual and a games book. Cost of Kit is $375.00

For more information or other programs:
Suite #303,227-10th Street NW
Calgary, Alberta T2N 1V5
Tel: 403-270-9351 Fax: 403-270-9371
Email: Rist@ghostriverrediscovery.com
Website: http://www.ghostriverrediscovery.com/history.htm

Kitikmeot Heritage Society Elder & Youth Programmes

Through the May Hakongak Community Library & Cultural Centre the KHS offers various traditional skill development programmes throughout the year. These include skills such as skin preparation, sewing, and traditional tool making. These programmes teach youth traditional skills and encourages the interaction between elders and youth.

Each summer the centre runs traditional oral history and archaeological camps. Elders, students and researchers work together to learn more about the history and prehistory of the area. The camps offer participants an Inuinnaqtun language immersion experience as well. The information collected is then used to develop learner materials, and other resources for community use.

For more information contact:
Colleen Rusk
Kitikmeot Heritage Society
P. O. Box 2160
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut X0B 0C0
Tel: 867-983-3009
Fax: 867-983-3397
Email: heritage@polarnet.ca
Website: http://www.kitikmeotheritage.ca