Thanks to Kevin Lewis for sharing his photos of this spring’s Hide Tanning Camp at Kaniyasihk Culture Camps (it’s fun to see some familiar faces). Here’s what he had to say about it (thanks so much, Kevin!)
Important Covid note: Although they are photographed here without masks, it’s important to acknowledge the great care Kevin and the whole camp consistently took regarding Covid-19. These photos were taken on the last day of an 11-day camp, long enough to be considered an isolation period in itself. The camp location is also isolated by nature effectively eliminating casual visitors. Before and during the camp, all participants were required to comply with national and provincial precautions. All staff are vaccinated, and consistently distanced as much as possible throughout. Tests were done by some staff mid-week and all came back negative. Elders also provided prayers and medicines for staff and campers, along with disinfecting, cleaning as much as a hide tanning camp will allow. Weather was perfect and allowed us to be outside 70% of the time. People slept in their bubbles. Under difficult circumstances (for all of humanity these days) the camp took exceptional measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
asay mîna kotak pahkêkinohkêwin nikîsihtânân ôtê kâniyâsihk Culture Camps ôma kâ-miyoskamihk. mistahi atoskêwin mâka mitoni miywâsin ka-ahkamêyimok. miyo-wîcihitowin, miyo-wâyâwin, kâkîsimôwin nitâpacihitânân êkwa ka-nanâskomâyâhkohk kêhtê-ayak kâ-ahkam-kiskinwahamâkoyâhkok tahto-kîsikâw.
ᐊᓴᐩ ᒦᓇ ᑯᑕᐠ ᐸᐦᑫᑭᓄᐦᑫᐏᐣ ᓂᑮᓯᐦᑖᓈᐣ ᐆᑌ ᑳᓂᔮᓯᕽ Culture Camps ᐆᒪ ᑳ ᒥᔪᐢᑲᒥᕽ᙮ ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐃ ᐊᑐᐢᑫᐏᐣ ᒫᑲ ᒥᑐᓂ ᒥᔼᓯᐣ ᑲ ᐊᐦᑲᒣᔨᒧᐠ᙮ ᒥᔪ ᐑᒋᐦᐃᑐᐏᐣ, ᒥᔪ ᐚᔮᐏᐣ, ᑳᑮᓯᒨᐏᐣ ᓂᑖᐸᒋᐦᐃᑖᓈᐣ ᐁᑿ ᑲ ᓇᓈᐢᑯᒫᔮᐦᑯᕽ ᑫᐦᑌ ᐊᔭᐠ ᑳ ᐊᐦᑲᒼ ᑭᐢᑭᓌᐦᐊᒫᑯᔮᐦᑯᐠ ᑕᐦᑐ ᑮᓯᑳᐤ᙮
We completed another Hide Tanning Camp at kâniyâsihk Culture Camps this spring. It is a lot of work, but it is good to keep moving forward. In good relations, good health, and prayer is what we used and also to be thankful for the Elders teachings and support as they teach us and pray for us on a daily basis.
(All this and they even made a video!)
