First Nations youth are going back on the land Tuesday to learn more about trees, forestry and wildfires.
The Prince Albert Model Forest in partnership with Carrier Forest Products and the Saskatchewan Forestry Association will be planting donated seedlings and teaching youth the technique and objectives of re-planting in four First Nations communities.
“The role of re-panting, in this case, is to step in and put in some of those seedlings and trees that may not be able to grow like they use to grow, because the dynamics of the boreal ecosystem has changed so drastically,” Sarah Schmid, General Manager of the Prince Albert Model Forest said.
The participating communities will have sessions on the following dates:
May 8th, 2018: Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation- 1 pm, meeting in front of the hockey arena
May 9th, 2018: Muskeg First Nation- 10 am, meet in front of the school
May 10th, 2018: Montreal Lake Cree Nation- Location and time TBD
May 11th, 2018: Mistawasis Nêhiyawak- 10 am, meeting in front of the school
May 12th, 2018: Kristi Lake Nature Trail (outside of Prince Albert) 9 am, meeting at the trail
Schmid says some community members who visit the Model Forest feel that on-the-land knowledge is lost. She says she hopes that having the youth plant the seedlings will motivate them to care for the trees.
“To allow them to get out and get excited about planting these seedlings, because the hope is that they’re going to take care of the trees,” said Schmid.
(PHOTO: Courtesy of eco.ca)