This weekend was our first Grandmother Earth Traditional Knowledge Camp of the summer, and what an AMAZING DAY! We visited Fort Berthold and learned so much about how our cultural ways and values are embedded in good practices for the Earth. It was a day filled with Native science, environmental expertise, and traditional knowledge. We learned about renewable energy, fishing, horse therapy, and saw a great film about the importance of the bottomlands. We even had a surprise visit from Jackie Bird!

Grandmother Earth Traditional Knowledge Camps began as the dream of Kendrick Eagle, 2018 recipient of a Dreamstarter™ grant from Running Strong for American Indian Youth. The camps take youth to homelands of the Lakota/Dakota people and of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara peoples to encourage youth to learn more about environmental issues from a Native perspective.

Camp attendees hear from Native elders, knowledgeable community members, and Native science professionals about Tribal traditions of protecting water and land, the use of Native plants for health and wellness, using green energy to protect earth’s resources, current efforts to reclaim Native cultural stewardship of the land, and the stories that support our beliefs and traditions.

So much thanks goes to the people of Fort Berthold for their wonderful hospitality! And special thanks to all those who made the day possible:
Ashly Hall of the Descendants’ Alliance for all her work coordinating such a great line up of speakers,
Jason and Darin Morsette from MHA Tourism for hosting,
Jackie Bird for sharing her time last minute,
Lisa Casarez for sharing the cool edible earthlodges project,
Fort Berthold POWER for their expertise and environmental knowledge,
the NHSC college staff who shared their amazing programs,
Elijah Benson for sharing his film,
Caley Fox for sharing his fishing experience,
and Jessica White Plume and Marty Young Bear for sharing their awesome horse therapy experience and giving the youth hands-on opportunities!

It was an AMAZING day because of our willingness and ability to all work together as Native people for the next generation. Wopida Tanka!