For the past five days, 20 young people from around the world have been canoeing and camping north of Peterborough, learning about Indigenous culture, close up and in person, travelling across the natural landscape.
On Friday, the trip ended with a feast at Curve Lake First Nation and a ceremonial tree planting.
Those taking part in the “Adventures in Awareness” program included Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth, an excursion which always has space for new Canadians and exchange students.
On-water co-ordinator Glen Caradus says the Truth and Reconciliation Commission reported the key to building bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people is education.
“This trip is definitely educational — you might think of it as a floating classroom as we travel across the land, learning from each other and learning from the land,” Caradus said.
The program has been in place for four years. Some participants, like Curve Lake resident Norman Allan Taylor, have taken part several times.
This year, he acted as a leader, keeping the others on track and on topic while holding discussions in the canoe.
“They start talking and stop paddling. I had to tell them to keep their paddles in the water — even I sometimes do that — I had to be reminded to stop talking and start paddling,” Taylor said.
Caradus says the annual program is open to anyone aged 16 to 18. Experience in canoeing and camping are not necessary.