Youth Workshop on Indigenous Laws with the Qwelmínte Secwépemc Knowledge Builders Program
From July 28–30, the Indigenous Law Research Unit, University of Victoria team had the privilege of working alongside Qwelminte Secwepemc for a three-day gathering with youth from their Knowledge Builders Program. We started our time together in a good way, building relationships with the youth on the tmícw (land) and learning directly from knowledge sharers and community leaders. Together, we travelled around Secwepemcúl’ecw (Secwépemc territory), stopping at places of note from the Tllísa7 Stseptékwll (oral history). In the sage brush hills near Skeetchestn, Kukpi7 Darrel Draney shared parts of the telling that speak to the origins of tobacco, energy, and transformation. At balancing rock, we heard Secwépemc and syilx teachings about its formation. Later, we spent time with St’uxwtéws (Bonaparte) elder Norman Retasket, whose stories, songs, and generosity offered a living example of law carried through the land, water, and people. These moments grounded the rest of our time together.
On our second and third days together, we co-facilitated our Indigenous Law 101 workshop alongside the Knowledge Builders Program staff. This workshop introduces some of the theory behind ILRU’s work and methods of engaging with Indigenous law, exploring things such as the sources and resources of Indigenous law, and how to draw out legal principles from stories. To facilitate this workshop, the ILRU team revised our materials and exercises specifically for youth engagement. The workshop was a highlight of our summer; the reflections and engagement of the participants were astute, inspiring, and opened our eyes to fresh perspectives on familiar stories.
This workshop was made rich by the energy and openness of the youth who participated. Jess, Shannon, Summer, and the whole ILRU team are grateful to Qwelmínte Secwépemc for their partnership, the youth for their enthusiastic participation, the Knowledge Builders Program staff for co-facilitating, and to Charlotte, Drew, Jaz, and Jess for their incredible leadership. We look forward to continuing to support the incredible work of Qwelmínte Secwépemc to stand up Secwépemc law.
Raven images are the property of the artist Val Napoleon. If you would like to use one of the images, please contact Val Napoleon at Napoleon@UVic.ca or Brooke Edmonds at ILRU@UVic.ca.