UBC’s Division of Aboriginal Health prepared a diverse group of students that were participating in summer internships in Aboriginal Communities at UBC’s First Nations House of Learning . I was invited me to give Finding Home’s cross-cultural training . I started with the stone game, which involves choosing a stone and then telling the stones’ creation story. Once everyone has shared a story, I asked how many people heard the story from the stone and how many people made up the story? This led to a dynamic discussion about listening, worldviews and stories. If you’d like to learn more about this training, contact us.
Hi Jessie,
Thanks for posting this picture on your blog. This brings back lots of memories for me. The internship in Esketemc was definitely the highlight of my undergradute electives. If I remember correctly, this picture was taken during our first visit to the Vision Quest Ceremony.
Ceremony site.
Can you tell us more about that first visit to the Vision Quest ceremony and your highlights in Esketemc? What advice would you give others you are considering similar internships?
For those reading this blog who don’t know me, I participated with Amir in IHHS 408 in Esket which is 40 minutes south west of Williams Lake in the area of Alkali Lake. This community-based experience was the best practical learning experience I have had through the University of BC thus far. The community of Esketemc welcomed Amir and myself with open arms and were more than willing to share their culture and history with us. I learned by careful listening to stories told, with cultural opportunities abound. I learned far more about Aboriginal culture and history than any text book or classroom could convey.
This picture is of Amir and I outside of a sweat lodge at the site of Esketemc’s annual vision quest ceremonies. We started off our first week in the community by participating in this fasting and spiritual ceremony which involves making a commitment to fast from one to four days (no food or water), supported by the community, in a quest to cleanse ones mind, spirit and body and reconnect spiritually to the earth and those around us. After an initial sweat ceremony, you are taken to sacred fasting grounds and an alter is set up where you will spend the next 1-4 days fasting and praying. Many participants are visited by spirits and have visions that provide them strength and guidance. The ceremony involves a fair bit of preparation, however the community is there to guide you every step of the way. For those that have never been in a sweat lodge before (like myself) I would highly recommend it. The entire experience in Esket was fantastic! Best advice I have for others considering such an internship is go in with an open mind and open heart. You will learn far more than you bargained for! It’s a once in a lifetime experience!
For anyone wishing to learn more about the community of Esketemc, track down the DVD entitled The Honor of All. Highly recommended.
Thank you for posting Karen.