Earth Connections Camp

Written by: Amee Andreason

Native American youth connecting with the environment. Photo/Chad DouglasThe Upper Colorado Region along with federal and state partners hosted two successful Earth Connections Camps at Red Butte Garden on June 17 and Moab Youth Garden, Utah, on August 22. Earth Connections goal is to reconnect urban American Indian youth with their natural world and cultural heritage.

Each camp had roughly 30 Native American students (K-12) from across the state to spend the day learning about American Indian traditions, constructing dams, painting rock art, learning about hydrology and engineering, language, history, traditional music, song, and dances. American Indian educators and specialists from the various partners led each of the learning stations. The camp is a partnership with the Utah State Office of Education Title VII Program and organizers hope to continue the collaboration and expand the day-camp to have more students attend.

Deputy Regional Director Daniel Picard, BOR Deputy Regional Director an Oglala Sioux and Nez Perce descendant, was the keynote speaker. His speech reiterated the importance of maintaining cultural identity in today’s society and encouraged students to pursue higher level education.

Stacey Smith presented the dam construction exercise and building solar kits with Reclamation staff assistance to explain Reclamation’s projects and activities to the youth.

One by one the students and their instructors shared their thoughts of the day’s activities during circle time. Here is some of the take back from the camp:

“I like learning about my culture and being outside in nature,” said Calora Norton, an 11th grader at Lehi High School. “I liked learning about what people here do for their jobs.”

Dominic Goodman, a senior at West Jordan High School liked that his generation heard from elders about the importance of education and why they need to learn about traditions and culture. “It is all entangled with who we are,” he said.

Published on August 27, 2015