Students learn the benefits of living off the land in the new program

Students at the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation School take a new approach to school meals as part of their terrestrial program.

Students from all over the school helped empty, clean and cut the meat of a male offered by one of the school's teachers, Delane Graham. They were able to integrate the project into many different teaching programs within the school.

Graham, who is the school's ground-based coordinator, said the students had really embraced the new activities.

"They like it," he said. "They like all activities and look forward to future activities. Students who do not want to sit in clbad and learn about how to peel a deer instead of taking it out and doing it. They smile, they laugh and they are engaged. "

The coordinator said that significant efforts have been made to learn more about First Nations culture and heritage in the school and across the province.

Graham lobbied for more schools to be purchased in school programs, especially for schools that do not have the resources to run the program.

While incorporating projects like this one throughout their learning process, this brought the school, staff, students together. Teachers also learn in the course of employment and strengthen their abilities to better understand and relay skills in their programs. Graham said that in this project, students are studying English, Social Sciences, Arts and Mathematics as additional skills acquired through the Buck Project. It's also something teachers love.

"They love it, they embrace it with their students, it's a lot of a-ha for students and staff, and they're always looking forward to the next activity."

All projects in the program are senior-led and seniors-led. They consult the elders and anything that they feel is important to convey, whether it's to catch rabbits, clean their money, live off the land or any other subject that might benefit the rising generation and integrate it in a sustainable way.

Graham said the program will provide students with life skills. He added that without the school's support staff, his program and the projects around him would not continue to grow, teach and flourish in the future.

In the future, students will learn the following steps: eviscerate, clean, process and cook the Buck project meat to then feed the school through its restoration program.

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Twitter: @BradyLangCJNB