Youth Cultural Enrichment Academy held at Nez Perce Site

The Youth Cultural Enrichment Academy collaboration between the Nez Perce Tribe and Northwest Indian College centered on engaging in cultural practices and highlighting the importance of protecting natural resources within the scope of workforce development training.

Each participant spent over 120 hours of class time out in the field, learning and working on Nez Perce culture projects and activities including: historical hunting techniques, traditional roots exploration, fisheries knowledge, fish and line fishing, storytelling, volunteering during Lapwai Days activities, gathering and skinning tipi poles, touring the University of Idaho Arboretum, discussion with University of Idaho Native Staff, powwow sweat, archery lessons, swimming in the Wallowa Lake and Clearwater River, gathering berries and traditional medicines, stickgames, drum/song, craft making, introduction to sewing projects and applique, horse riding, tipi history lessons and erection of the tipi, and volunteering at the Red Cross Station for local fire victims.

Read more about the YCEA and see more photos in a story by NWIC Nez Perce Site Manager Angela Picard at here.