Kapawe’no First Nation – As part of our Grade 10 Science class and the school’s Sovereign Medicines Program, we recently embarked on an enriching field trip to Buffalo Bay. This unique experience saw the Grade 10 students, accompanying our younger peers from Kapawe’no Nêhiyawak School’s Grades 5-6 class, under the invaluable guidance of our Elder Knolwedge Keepers, Lillian and Rod, and our dedicated oskâpêwis, Scott.
Our destination, Buffalo Bay, was specifically chosen by our Elder Knolwedge Keepers, who knew of wild sage growing there. Upon arrival, Lillian, Rod, and Scott led us with wisdom and care, teaching us how to identify and respectfully approach the sage plants. The core principle of treating the sage with the utmost respect and harvesting only what we needed was emphasized throughout. We carefully gathered the dry sage, a hands-on experience that connected us directly to the land and its gifts.
Following the harvest, we all worked together and learned how to create traditional sage bundles. To ensure the continued presence and teaching of this sacred medicine, we also carefully dug eight small sage seedlings. These were transplanted into our school garden, allowing us to continue learning from and caring for the plant on our own school grounds.
Upon our return, the learning journey deepened. Elders Lillian and Rod generously shared a profound lesson on the traditional uses, cultural significance, and spiritual importance of sage. This was followed by a deeply meaningful smudging ceremony, where we used the very sage we had harvested earlier. It was a powerful moment, connecting us to the teachings, the land, and each other.
Last modified: June 10, 2025
