At the Sens Game

Hi!
Here is a quick picture from the Sens game.
The sign says "thank you" in English and Haida.

Hopefully there will be a longer post and update soon! Things have been really busy with both groups here.

Pictures from Haida Gwaii

Some more pictures from Haida Gwaii

Here are some more pictures from the trip I was sent today! 

Richardson Ranch, Haida Gwaii. 

Chaperones on the beach. 

Misty Meadows Tidal Pool walk. 

Update from Hilary and some pictures!

We arrived in Haida Gwaii after a long flight, to find many of us had bags that a had gone missing.  After landing we travelled by bus and ferry to Queen Charlotte City.  At the ferry dock we were interested to see a river otter and two eagles there to greet us!However our wonderful hosts rallied around and found mattresses and bedding for us.

Our first night we were welcomed by our twins, were shown around the school and were treated to a delicious turkey dinner. Everyone was jet-lagged so went to bed early.

Our second day was a full one. We went on a beautiful hike on Spirit Lake trail, and then went to the Kay Centre, the Haida Cultural Centre and Museum. There we divided into three groups, taking turns learning about their totem poles, seeing over the museum and learning how to weave cedar.  We were also treated to rides out on the ocean in a zodiac boat and were able to see sea lions and another eagle.  That evening we attended a community potluck dinner put on in our honor at which we enjoyed lots of seafood. Following dinner we were entertained by traditional Haida dancing, and even joined in!  A dance at the youth Centre rounded out a very busy day.

Today, Saturday, we hiked up Charlie Hardy trail, which was on a rather steep hill.  It was a challenging hike but the beauty of the forest and the wonderful view were well worth the effort!! This afternoon we had a bonfire and wiener roast on the beach and some of the group accepted the challenge to go for a quick dip in the ocean!  Later in the day we had some chilling time back at the school followed by supper and learning a Haida game, Daxini.

Seeing a totem that's being built. 

At Spirit Lake Trail. 

Going out on the Zodiac to see Sea Lions.

Eagle woman Haida dance. 

Weiner roast on the beach.

Arrived

Hi everyone. I just got word that the group has arrived safely. I will post updates as I get them.

Haida Gwaii SEVEC Trip

It's time for another YAYA trip!

Ottawa Presbytery Youth have a wonderful opportunity to participate in a national, subsidized student exchange program through the Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada (SEVEC) with a group of aboriginal youth from Haida Gwaii (formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands). This program provides a unique opportunity for students to meet new people and experience diversity by travelling to another region of Canada and staying with their host group.

SEVEC is a national charity which has been offering home stay exchanges to young Canadians for over 75 years.  The organization is committed to offering safe, secure and educational exchange opportunities which encourage the intellectual, cultural, linguistic and social development of young people. The cost of travel from one region of Canada to the other is entirely funded by SEVEC through the Department of Canadian Heritage, while hosting groups provide meals, transportation and cover admission/activity costs while they are hosting their visitors.

On March 6^th, 2014, 32 Ottawa Presbytery youth aged 12 to 17 will travel to Haida Gwaii, accompanied by 5 adult chaperones.  Following a week of experiencing life on Haida Gwaii and learning about the history and culture of our exchange partners, we will return to Ottawa on March 14^th.  Their group will travel during their March break, which is immediately following ours.  They will arrive in Ottawa on the morning of March 16^th and stay with us until March 22^nd.  While they are here, the Haida Gwaii youth will be billeted with our youth

Our exchange partners are part of the “Swan Bay Rediscovery Program”.  The Swan Bay Rediscovery Program is a cultural program where the youth learn important Haida cultural skills and knowledge while acquiring new life skills, self-esteem and confidence.  With traditional Haida values at its center, youth participate in a variety of activities designed to challenge, teach and nurture. They learn about the outdoors, the ecology of Gwaii Hanaas, Haida culture, survival skills, cooking skills, navigation skills, etc. They play games, swim, hike, sing Haida songs, dance and do cedar bark weaving. They learn from elders as well as visit archaeological sites and Haida heritage sites.  While there, we will be joining the Haida Youth in these types of activities.

While here, our exchange group has asked to get an experience of Ottawa, Canada’s capital city.  They will visit the Parliament buildings, the Museum of Civilization, the Art Gallery and the War Museum as well as a visit to Rideau Hall.  They will also attend a Senator’s game and spend an afternoon at a sugar bush. 

All these activities are important and fun, but at the heart of the program is the opportunity to get to know youth of another culture, learning from each other, recognizing our similarities and differences and having fun together.  Perhaps the biggest benefit is that the dynamic between the two groups will change from “them and us” to “my friends…”!    Through the bonds of friendship, bit by bit we can start to make a difference in attitudes of acceptance and understanding across our diversely rich country of Canada.

Back Safely and some pictures

Hello everyone!
It's Jessica writing from home this time. We arrived safe and sound last night in Ottawa where we were met by family and friends. All of the group except for Alice, who is travelling around Europe for another month, came home last night.
We had a wonderful trip. Thank you for everyone that followed along with us on the blog. I will gather some experiences from the group and post them once we are all awake enough to write something down.
Thank you again!

I'll post some pictures too!

Here's a picture of our group with the group who is still in Zambia at Accams Lodge. It was great to meet everyone there.

Some of the girls wearing chitenges.

A group picture taken at Mindolo Ecumenical Centre, specifically at the United Church of Zambia theological college.

Another group picture taken at Victoria Falls.

With the girls at the secondary school.

Working in the library cataloging books at the girls' school.