Overview
Nikan Awasisak Agency Land-Based program is accessible to the community of Cross Lake. The program is voluntary and provides families access to land-based activities and tools to facilitate a connection/re-connection to the land.
The program is family driven and offers an Indigenous perspective to learning, which recognizes the profound connection and relationship people have with the land.
We offer a wholistic approach that acknowledges the four aspects of the Medicine Wheel:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Mental
- Spiritual
All four aspects correlate to the land which is an integral part of our Indigenous culture. Our program promotes our Cree language amongst our participants while emphasizing seasonal food/activities.
Benefits of re-connecting to our traditional ways:
- Increased cultural understanding such as identity and language
- Creates positive societal relationships.
- Improves wellbeing such as decreased stress levels
- Increased physical activity and produces physical health
- Develop environmental awareness
- Improves and creates an understanding for new/active learners
- Treatment and healing can take place on land
- Passes on knowledge and teachings to others.
Seasonal Activities:
- Fall and Spring duck and goose hunt
- Chicken hunt
- Moose hunt
- Rabbit Snaring
- Fish/Ice fishing and Preparations
- Gathering of Seagull eggs/duck eggs
- Teepee set up/teachings
- Traditional teachings on values, beliefs, and practices
- Traditional Food Preparation
- Elders’ storytelling
- Gathering firewood
- Trapping
- Cooking wild foods
- Gardening
- Berry picking
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Cultural camps
- Gathering of Medicines
- Land and water safety
- Sturgeon Fishing
- Nature Walk – identifying nature in Cree Language
