Earlier this month, a team of McMaster students traveled to Six Nations in Ohsweken, Ont. to learn more about Aboriginal culture, values and beliefs in relation to the natural environment in Southern Ontario.

Comprised of two day-long workshops, the “Living with the Land” ARTS&SCI/ISCI 3IE1 field trip module was designed to offer students a true experiential learning opportunity.

“I didn’t go with many expectations, other than to simply learn something new,” says Anna Tam, a fourth-year student in McMaster’s Arts & Science Program, and a first-time visitor to Six Nations.

Prior to departing for Ohsweken, Tam and her fellow students were asked to complete a number of required readings to prepare for the course. During their time at Six Nations, participants also created a personal medicine wheel and wrote three reflection papers to help ponder their own physicality, spirituality and beliefs.

“The papers were very loose and free in structure, and they were a great way to sort out my thoughts and emotions,” says Tam. “Sometimes it’s easier to express yourself when things are less constrained. We all wanted to learn, converse and have an open dialogue.”

The weekend session was the brainchild of instructor Sarah Glen, who envisioned a new outdoor, experiential learning opportunity for students in the Arts & Science Program. Thanks to ongoing talks with friend and colleague Josh Dockstator – an Aboriginal community leader based in Hamilton – a unique weekend program was developed that focused on the history and experiences of Aboriginal peoples in the area. Glen and Dockstator both joined students on the trip, along with Aboriginal leader Rod Nettagog.

“This was an exposure opportunity,” says Glen. “An opportunity to expose students to their Aboriginal neighbours. We recognize that in two days we can only begin a conversation with the students, but we hope this initial trip will prompt students to get involved and learn more.”

Dockstator – former coordinator of Native Youth With Education Hamilton (NYA:WEH) – agrees.

“Students at McMaster aren’t all from Hamilton. They come from all over the world. It’s important to engage all of these students and combat stereotypes. First Nations culture is a beautiful thing,” he explains. “Ultimately, we just want the students to have a better understanding. A lot of people are intimidated or simply afraid of saying the wrong thing, so it’s all about feeling more comfortable at future events.”

McMaster students with an interest in First Nations culture are welcome to attend the Grand River “Champion of Champions” Pow-wow in July, says Dockstator – a major celebratory event held each summer.