Youth Engagement Through Indigenous Food and Knowledge Systems

Your Course Description

Your Competency Focus Area

Intercultural Engagement

As a youth worker, you want all young people to understand who they are, recognize their strengths, and feel a sense of belonging. But in a world dominated by screens and classroom-style lectures, it can be hard to find fresh, hands-on ways to truly engage young people and help them discover their unique gifts.
Through stories, cultural teachings, and practical experience, this course explores how Indigenous knowledge systems can help youth build confidence, develop a stronger sense of identity, and recognize their gifts and purpose in the world.
Learn practical ways to incorporate hands-on, land-based activities and Indigenous food knowledge into your programs. Explore approaches to youth engagement that center relationships, culture, community, and the sharing of knowledge across generations.

Your Learning Objectives

Weave indigenous stories, cultural teachings, and land-based learning into your programs to help young people discover their identity, confidence, and belonging
Apply practical approaches to youth engagement that center strong relationships, community-building, and the sharing of knowledge across generations
Recognize how Indigenous food systems and connections to the land can be utilized to support leadership and youth development
Model foundational values, such as humility, spirituality, and listening, to guide young people as they identify their unique skills and strengths

Your Course Details

Interactive
Completion Certificate
Youth Worker Track
This training will count as 1 CE hour for most boards. Please contact your board directly with questions on submitting. Course details for CE submissions provided.

Your Trainer

Derek Nicholas, also known as Niigaanibines, is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Ojibwe. He is the founder of Wiisinig LLC, a social enterprise that focuses on practicing and revitalizing indigenous food and knowledge systems amongst tribal communities. Derek believes that our indigenous food systems are deeply intertwined and connected to all facets of our Anishinaabeg lifeways and that through this practice it can begin to offset the damages caused by colonialism. Additionally, Derek is the author of Through Food We Know Ourselves and Eating with the Seasons, Anishinaabeg, Great Lakes Region