Photo courtesy of fitness2j2.com
The Lac La Ronge Indian Band has started a summer program to help engage summer students with elders in the community.
Summer students employed by the band will be able to do yard work for elders, help with elders gatherings and other activities, such as reading or going for walks. Elders are able to pick and choose a day that is suitable for them and what activities they want to be involved in.
Jodi Hancheroff is the program coordinator, and says the goal is to reconnect youth with elders in the community.
“Our youth today don’t really know how to talk to our elders because they didn’t grow up on the trapline or around elders,” she said. “We are hoping to bring some of that back and make it better.”
Hancheroff says it give elders a chance to share culture and traditional knowledge with the youth in the community.
“Whenever I spend time with my kokum, she tells me stories and they stay with me and we hope that happens when the kids spend time with the elders,” she said.
The summer program will run until the end of August. Hancheroff says elders can be involved for a day, a week or even the entire summer. She says some elders contacted have already said they want to be involved in activities at the Youth Haven and have an elders gathering, where they can share their culture and traditions.
Hancheroff says if any of the elders want to get involved, they can contact her through the Lac La Ronge Band Office.