Students at Fisher River Cree Nation in Manitoba are discovering new educational opportunities through a land-based learning programme that combines traditional Cree knowledge, outdoor activities and cultural teachings.
The initiative allows students to develop practical skills while strengthening their connection to the land, their heritage and their community. Activities such as hunting, preparing fires and learning from Elders provide hands-on experiences that complement classroom education.
The programme reflects Fisher River Cree Nation’s broader commitment to preserving Indigenous traditions while preparing young people for future educational and career opportunities.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Land-based education plays an important role in the curriculum at Fisher River High School, where students participate in activities designed to teach practical skills and traditional knowledge.
According to the First Nation’s 2024–2025 annual report, students in Grades 9 and 10 have participated in archery, fire-starting exercises, goose hunting and the preparation of harvested animals.
Students have also learned how to set up hunting blinds, arrange decoys, prepare appropriate outdoor clothing and process geese. Other activities have included hunting small game, gathering birch bark and collecting spruce sap.
These experiences help students understand traditional practices while developing patience, teamwork, responsibility and respect for the natural environment.
The programme also creates opportunities for knowledge to be passed between generations, with community members and traditional knowledge holders helping students learn skills that have long been part of Cree culture.
Preserving Cree Culture Through Education
Fisher River Cree Nation has made cultural preservation a priority across its educational facilities.
In June 2024, the community’s Chief and Council passed a resolution calling for stronger integration of Cree language, cultural teachings, treaty education and local history into school curricula.
The commitment recognises that education can support academic achievement while helping students maintain a strong connection to their identity and traditions.
Land-based learning offers students an opportunity to experience these teachings directly rather than relying solely on textbooks. Through outdoor activities and guidance from experienced community members, students can gain a deeper understanding of their relationship with the land and the responsibilities associated with traditional practices.
Building Pathways to Higher Education
Fisher River Cree Nation is also working to make post-secondary education more accessible to community members.
The First Nation has partnered with educational institutions, including Red River College Polytechnic and the University College of the North, to provide learning opportunities closer to home.
Its College Transition programme, developed with Red River College Polytechnic, has helped students prepare for post-secondary studies and employment through courses delivered partly within the community.
These initiatives aim to reduce barriers that can prevent students from pursuing further education, including the challenges associated with leaving home and adjusting to a new academic environment.
Strengthening the Future Through Traditional Knowledge
Fisher River Cree Nation’s approach demonstrates how Indigenous knowledge and contemporary education can work together to support students.
By combining practical outdoor learning with cultural teachings and pathways to higher education, the community is investing in young people’s development while helping preserve traditions for future generations.
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