Morley students are getting the chance to experience another culture while showcasing their own this week.
Students from the Stoney tribe in Morley and a group from Ta-Otha School in Big Horn welcomed a group of Mohawks students from Kahnawake reservation in Quebec this past week for the eighth annual YMCA youth exchange in Canmore.
“I think it is really important for our kids to see Canada, to see a different First Nations community who is maybe living a little differently than they do, and also as far as our greater country goes, to see Canada,” said Gayle Davis, Morley Community School teacher and exchange organizer.
The Stoney students will be hosts to the Mohawk students from April 4 to 11, while the groups explore Southern Alberta with a variety of activities. From hiking in Lake Louise, completing a community cleanup, meeting with Olympian Clara Hughes for an inspirational speech, to a full-day of cultural festivities – the goal is to get the two teenage tribes to connect.
“I love to see students come in as individuals at the beginning of the week and bump into each other and try figure things out, then at the end of the week when the group is conglomerated and is one unit,” Davis said.
“The dynamics of those individuals have changed and they light up when they have a positive experience and they step out of their comfort zone and do more than they thought they could.”
The 14 Mohawk students and 15 Stoney students will be in Canmore for a “common-stay” instead of housing one student with a host student who has similar interests, as the program typically works.
“With Morley being so spread out and the housing situation still being affected by the flood – when not everyone is in their home – we have to do a common-stay, which is a positive because it really lets these kids knit together as a group,” Davis said.
The Stoney students will take their turns as visitors when they fly to Kahnawake for their weeklong stay from April 16 to 24. Money for the flights and other costs associated with the exchange are funded through the YMCA youth exchange program.
The two tribes were chosen through the YMCA youth exchange program criteria with priority going to aboriginal youth and youth from rural or isolated areas.
“Most kids haven’t flown before or been out of Alberta, it is a long way to go to be away from home. This helps prepare kids to leave for school and other opportunities for travel and experience,” Davis said.
The Stoney students will host one day of culture festivities at the Morley Community School to celebrate and showcase the traditions.
Organizers are inviting those interested in learning or celebrating the Stoney culture to come to the demonstration Powwow starting around 1 p.m. on April 8.
For more information on the YMCA youth exchange program go to ymcagta.org.
