First Ever Ojibwe Horse Camp Kicks Off in Sawyer

SAWYER, Minn. — The first Ojibwe Horse Club kicked off Tuesday. Kids participated in learning to take care of horses, as well as some lessons on how they relate to the Ojibwe culture.

Native Rancher, David Wise, is helping care for a very unique, and very special breed of horse, called the Ojibwe Spirit Horse.

“We’re trying to introduce our community back to one of our long-lost relatives,” explained Wise.

Like most horse camps, this one covers the basics. Kids get to learn skills like brushing and cleaning the horse’s hooves. As well as, “Horsemanship, how to care for a horse, interact with the horse,” said Wise.

However, this camp, has a few special twists.

“We will be trying to teach them about horse science, we’re going to talk about breeding, bringing the horses back,” said Wise. “Working with the University of Minnesota to help the genetics because there’s so few of them that we really need to be careful.”

Some of the lessons the camp offers go way back.

“Well, the horse is a gift from The Creator, he’s a long lost relative of ours,” said Wise. “He’s coming back, and that’s helping heal the sacred circle. Bringing him back, people never even knew he existed.”

Getting the community up to speed with this important animal is the mission for this camp, but for some of the campers, being introduced to the animal in person is just as impactful.

“Horses are very beautiful and gentle creatures,” said camper Ella Gonzalez. “I like being around horses, so it’s kind of my favorite thing to do.”

At the end of the day, everyone attending the horse camp takes something away from it.

“We think that we’re teaching the horses, but a lot of the time, they’re teaching us,” explained Wise.