Culture Summer Camp to Engage Children in Ojibwe Cultures

CLOQUET, Minn. – A summer camp in Cloquet looks to introduce and connect younger children to indigenous cultures.

At Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, the two-day summer camp will teach children math, science, and art – all while exposing the youth to the Ojibwe language and culture. Children there will also learn traditional Ojibwe games and songs. 

“Bringing together area head start educators is important to building capacity and education for our tribal head starts and their head starts to kind of bring together that cultural paste of skills. Sharing tribal knowledge and skills and language, and all that,” said Alyxis Feltus, the program director. “It’s really important in our area since we have 11 tribal communities in the state, so incorporating any kind of culture and knowledge into different classroom settings is really important.”

The Miskwaadesi Head Start Cultural Camp is possible by a five-year grant gifted to Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. The grant aims to connect indigenous caregivers and educators from around Minnesota to better ground a standardized indigenous curriculum.

“There is a need, a desperate need, for caregivers and educators in this area and across our state,” said Child Development Coordinator Govinda Budrow. “Particularly that can serve in diverse communities, and across age groups, and be able to serve those needs.”

The summer camp continues tomorrow from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.