Ando-Bineshiiwedaa
The Project
Ando-Bineshiiwedaa (Ojibwe for Let’s Find Birds) was a winter land-based youth programming weekend which promoted wellness through community, out-on-the-land activity, environmental-health education, and Indigenous Knowledges.
Additionally, the program incorporated local bird monitor recordings and Indigenous bird stories to identify the birds living around us and to understand what knowledge we may gain from them about the land.
The program took place from Saturday, March 1st to Sunday, March 2nd at the Tapiola Outdoor Education Centre in Thunder Bay as part of the Indigenous Youth Futures Partnership with Indigenous youth, multicultural youth, the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council, the Regional Multicultural Youth Council, and Carleton University students.
What We Did During The Program
Everything during the program was thought-out by and created with the help of the youth.
Hockey & Skating
Bird Stories
Cooking
We acquired new hockey and skating equipment, which was donated to the ENAGB Youth Centre after the program. The donation will help support similar programs in the future and is also available for free rental to youth in the community.
Several youth shared Indigenous cultural stories about various birds native to Thunder Bay, explaining the meanings behind their names. This activity deepened their understanding of these birds and their significance in Indigenous traditions.
Each day, the youth took the lead in preparing meals for the program, including food such as: traditional meat stew, bannock, and gingersnap cookies. This hands-on experience fostered leadership skills and team building.
Birch Bark Workshop
Nature Walks
An Indigenous youth led a birch bark workshop, where the youth learned how to craft birch bark baskets. They learned about the cultural significance of birch bark and the traditional methods of harvesting it.
We went on trail walks around Tapiola, learning about the birds of Thunder Bay. Along the way, we also played land-based games, listened out for any birds, and quizzed each other on the Ojibwe names for birds.
Campfires
A campfire was held on both days of the program, helping to foster team bonding. There was also traditional drumming and some traditional songs.
Ando-Bineshiiwedaa Book
The Ando-Bineshiiwedaa book was a collaborative effort between the youth who participated and the Carleton students. The book aimed to capture the essence of the program.
It features the program’s detailed schedule, three Indigenous stories about birds found in Thunder Bay, and audio recordings of local birds found in Ottawa and Thunder Bay.
In addition, the book showcases artwork created by the youth throughout the program.
To further personalize the book, it includes a collage of photos, documenting the various activities and fun moments from the program.