Healthy Communities • YMCA Youth Programs
Today’s National Aboriginal Day! Plans are underway for a reconciliation program at YMCA Cedar Glen
21 June 2016 - by Gord Dunlop
June is National Aboriginal History Month and today, June 21st, is National Aboriginal Day in Canada – a time to celebrate the unique cultures and heritage of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada.
In the spirit of the day, YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre is excited to share plans for the development of a Wiigiwaam Reconciliation program. Planning for this project is in partnership with Motivate Canada’s GEN7 Aboriginal Youth Messenger Program and the 4Rs Youth Movement. With generous support from TD Friends of the Environment the Wiigiwaam Reconciliation program will focus on wiigiwaams, traditional dwellings used by aboriginals in northeastern North America that will be built at YMCA Cedar Glen. The wiigiwaams will be constructed by Aboriginal youth with the support of YMCA staff and volunteers.
Once completed, GEN7 Aboriginal Youth Messengers, with support from the 4Rs Youth Movement, will design and deliver cultural workshops based on the Wiigiwaams to Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. In its final report, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission identified a need for developing curriculum and learning resources for students in kindergarten through grade twelve to learn about the history of Aboriginal peoples. By next school year, students and other youth will have the opportunity to take part in this unique outdoor education program that supports healing and reconciliation through education.
YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre, located just 45-minutes north of Toronto, hosts students and youth groups for day and overnight trips focused on outdoor education, team building and leadership development.
As we celebrate National Aboriginal Day, planning is underway for this exciting project. Learn more about YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre and if you have any questions contact us at cedarglen@ymcagta.org
In the spirit of the day, YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre is excited to share plans for the development of a Wiigiwaam Reconciliation program. Planning for this project is in partnership with Motivate Canada’s GEN7 Aboriginal Youth Messenger Program and the 4Rs Youth Movement. With generous support from TD Friends of the Environment the Wiigiwaam Reconciliation program will focus on wiigiwaams, traditional dwellings used by aboriginals in northeastern North America that will be built at YMCA Cedar Glen. The wiigiwaams will be constructed by Aboriginal youth with the support of YMCA staff and volunteers.
Once completed, GEN7 Aboriginal Youth Messengers, with support from the 4Rs Youth Movement, will design and deliver cultural workshops based on the Wiigiwaams to Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. In its final report, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission identified a need for developing curriculum and learning resources for students in kindergarten through grade twelve to learn about the history of Aboriginal peoples. By next school year, students and other youth will have the opportunity to take part in this unique outdoor education program that supports healing and reconciliation through education.
YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre, located just 45-minutes north of Toronto, hosts students and youth groups for day and overnight trips focused on outdoor education, team building and leadership development.
As we celebrate National Aboriginal Day, planning is underway for this exciting project. Learn more about YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre and if you have any questions contact us at cedarglen@ymcagta.org
