Sharing knowledge

There are several sessions running at a time and campers are free to roam to whichever grabs their interest, says Kaitlyn Charlie, the youth recreation co-ordinator for the Jackson Lake Wellness Team.

“They’re not forced to learn something, which means you’re going to be way more open to it. If you’re actually into it, you’re going to learn so much more from that,” she said.

Besides moosehide tanning, the camp offers other cultural activities like setting rabbit snares, snowshoeing, sewing, painting, and looking at a lynx on a hide stretcher.

Kaitlyn Charlie says it's "unbelievable" to get to organize the camp. (Jane Sponagle/CBC) Post image on Pinterest: Kaitlyn Charlie says it's "unbelievable" to get to organize the camp. (Jane Sponagle/CBC)

Kaitlyn Charlie says it's "unbelievable" to get to organize the camp. (Jane Sponagle/CBC)

Charlie and her team are trying to keep the camp easily accessible to First Nations youth in the Whitehorse area. The two-week program is free. Kids are offered rides to the camp, and there is extra winter gear if campers don’t have their own.



For Charlie, a 35-year-old Kwanlin Dün citizen who was born in Whitehorse but grew up in Victoria, the chance to organize the camp is “unbelievable.”

There are nine elders — fluent in their language and traditional skills — teaching campers what they know, says Charlie.

“It’s just such a loving, caring way of sharing information that they have.”

“They are so open to share. So willing to impart knowledge and be participants in the knowledge sharing, not just speak to people about it, they’re actually in it,” said Charlie.

“It’s just such a loving, caring way of sharing information that they have."

Information that’s not lost on campers.

16-year-old Tamika Charlie spent a good part of the first week in the arts cabin — sewing and beading a lighter case, and painting.

She says it’s a good experience to learn from elders about the way things used to be done.

Seven-year-old Hunter Sternberg says rabbit snaring is his favourite camp activity.

“We went setting snares for rabbits and we didn't quite get them, but we saw fresh tracks on the way back. The rabbits are sure lucky but there are lynx up there,” he said.