Koeye – educational camps for children and youth

In 2023, we began working with Qqs Projects Society, a Canadian non-profit organization that has been supporting the Heiltsuk Indigenous people of Canada (British Columbia) for over 20 years, who are still struggling with the dramatic consequences of colonialism and forced, brutal assimilation. Traditional communities affected by the trauma of colonization, especially the aftermath of so-called „residential schools,” still feel the consequences of the tragic history of their ancestors. The activities of the Qqs Projects Society focus on cultivating and maintaining the traditions and culture of indigenous people while simultaneously protecting nature.

The special beneficiaries of this organization’s activities are children and young people. In 2023, FDJ co-financed the participation of a group of 156 children and young people aged 7-21 in 6-week summer camps, organized annually by QPS, as well as 2-week training and team building trips for a group of 22 leaders and staff of these camps. The thematic blocks around which the activities during the trips focused were: revitalization of the native language; importance of intergenerational transmission and tradition in intergenerational relations; mental health and the importance of contact with the land of ancestors as a factor supporting mental well-being; independence from external food suppliers – importance of own crops. Daily activities included: sailing on traditional boats and canoes, trips to the forest to acquire survival skills in the wild, learning traditional weaving techniques, making ritual objects, practicing traditional singing techniques, and gardening.

In July and August 2024, 6 five-day camps for children and youth were held, each with 30 children aged 7-15 participating; many of them participated in more than one camp (totaling 84 participants). The trip program included both recreation and relaxation in nature as well as the intergenerational transmission of the traditions and skills of the Ancestors by the Elders of the community. Workshops were conducted to learn/revitalize the traditional language and methods of obtaining food (hunting and gathering skills, making traditional medicines) as well as to gain skills: weaving, woodworking, and an introduction to traditional rituals and ceremonies and learning the related dance and singing techniques. A particularly important topic of the classes was mental health (taking care of mental well-being, coping with the trauma of forced assimilation and colonization passed down through generations) and physical health (mindfulness classes, meditation, healthy eating, fitness program).

Two camps were also organized for youth leaders of the Heiltsuk community (totaling 30 participants), the program of which focused on providing practical knowledge on community building, peaceful conflict resolution as well as standards of child protection and safety, and mental health and well-being.

Additionally, in September there were also two weekend workshops for older youth at risk of social exclusion (for 33 participants) and one family trip – queer family camp (for 20 participants).

Returning to the areas once inhabited by our Ancestors and participating in the educational programs and workshops offered creates the opportunity to learn and understand the traditions, customs and language of our own community. All this helps strengthen cultural identity and shape a sense of security and self-esteem among children and young people from indigenous communities.

The project continues in 2025.