THUNDER BAY – In the North, education takes on a much more land-based approach.
Hunting and fishing become part of the curriculum, teaching Indigenous students how to live off the land and be at one with Mother Nature.
Winter weather oftentimes gets in the way.
It’s why the Mikinakoos Children’s Fund has paired with Keewaytinook Internet High School to help raise $25,000 to outfit hundreds of students attending online classes with proper winter clothing, kicked earlier this year with the Coats for Coffee fundraising event, put on by the Sweet North Bakery.
They’ve already raised a quarter of their goal, and hope to collect the rest by Giving Tuesday on Nov. 30.
Emily Shandruk, executive director of the Mikinakoos Children’s Fund, said last year they outfitted about 200 youth in North Spirit Lake and were looking to do something similar in 2021.
They connected with Angela Batsford-Mermans, principal at KIHS, who told them about the outdoor aspect of the school’s curriculum and the need for proper outdoor coats, boots, mitts and hats.
“It was kind of a no-brainer connection. The Coffee for Coats fundraisers has helped up meet a quarter of our goal, so now, for Giving Tuesday, which is the Tuesday that follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday, our goal is to reach $25,000 so we can fully outfit the students at KIHS,” Shandruk said.
Jenna Williamson, a graduate of the program who now works as a KIHS classroom assistant, said seeing the Thunder Bay community coming together to ensure students in northern communities stay warm in winter while learning their traditional practices, is amazing.
“I feel like it’s definitely needed for the community to be interactive, with not only one organization that’s helping Indigenous people, but multiple organizations,” Williamson said. “It’s really good to see. For myself, I just remember thinking, who do I really go to here. I’m from Treaty 3, I’m from Shoal Lake 39. So where do I go, where do I fit here?
“I didn’t really fit anywhere, so it’s really good to see that other organizations and businesses are helping schools.”
Erinn DeLorenzi, said she’s challenging other businesses to step up and recognize the challenges students in remote communities might face.
“It also, and maybe most importantly, sends a message to these young people that their neighbours care about them and their education. We just want to encourage other businesses and individuals to do what you can to support initiatives such as this.”
For more information, visit www.mikinakoos.com.
