Porter Creek School Launches Indigenous Culture Camp for Students

Porter Creek Secondary School in Whitehorse has inaugurated its first fall culture camp on September 3, 2023, at the Ǹtsǟw Chù Kets’edän Kų̀ Traditional Camp. This new outdoor space aims to integrate Indigenous land-based learning into the school’s curriculum and community. Constructed with input from First Nations elders, the camp will serve as a venue for seasonal activities that promote traditional knowledge among students.

According to Nicole Cross, vice-principal of Porter Creek Secondary School, the school collaborates with Yukon First Nations on a monthly basis to plan cultural activities. “We meet with our First Nations partners once a month to talk about what cultural activities we’re devising and then we set the plan in motion,” Cross explained.

This fall, the culture camp will feature activities such as archery, canning, chainsaw sharpening, and lureless fishing. These skills are closely tied to the harvest season and reflect community practices. Cross noted that this hands-on approach has significantly enhanced student engagement with traditional activities.

Monthly planning sessions with First Nations representatives shape the camp’s direction, allowing the school to refine its offerings based on student interests and community feedback. While hand games remain a staple, the school plans to introduce grade-specific camps aligned with seasonal themes. Cross mentioned that assemblies will be conducted around the camp’s fire pit, fostering discussions about school values and expectations.

“Every year, we will do mini assemblies with each grade level. So right now, all the grades are coming out, and we meet with them and we talk about being at Porter Creek, what that looks like, and we do that at our fire pit,” Cross stated.

Participation in the culture camp is voluntary, but the involvement from staff has been notable. Teachers are encouraged to take their classes beyond the traditional classroom setting. Every autumn, Grade 8 students will assist in maintaining the camp’s Njel dwelling, constructed from willow. This project aims to deepen students’ connection to the camp’s purpose and history.

Southern Tutchone Elder Harold Johnson, who was instrumental in building the Njel structure, collaborates with teachers to develop activities centered around traditional housing. Instead of sending students off-site, the school invites community members to utilize the camp space, promoting it as a living hub for cultural exchange and learning.

Cross emphasized the importance of accessibility, stating that students can engage with the camp outside formal programming. “The space is often booked and used informally, which bolsters the shared space as an inclusive part of the school community,” she said.

The launch of the Ǹtsǟw Chù Kets’edän Kų̀ Traditional Camp marks a significant step toward enriching Indigenous cultural education at Porter Creek Secondary School, providing students with valuable skills and a deeper connection to their heritage.