Young Indigenous adults say Land Back Camp connects them to culture

Up until he started high school, Ryan Duncan thought he and his olderbrother were the only Indigenous kids in Waterloo region.

"For about 18 years I knew I was Indigenous, but I didn't know my clan, my tribe. I didn't know who I was. I'm Cree. I thought I was Ojibwe," the 21-year-old explained.

For both Duncan and Olivia Maine, a queer, non-binary CreeMtis 27-year-old, O:se Kenhionhata:tie Land Back Camp in Victoria Park in Kitchener has become a place to learn about the culture they were disconnected from while growing up.

"Because I was adopted by a family that wasn't Indigenous, I had always been looking for that part of myself," said Maine. "I grew up in a very specific religion, and a lot of Indigenous cultural practices were demonized, and that was really hard."

"There were so many pieces of culture that I missed as a kid, that I wanted so badly as a kid," said Maine.

Young Indigenous people on the importance of Land Back Camp

4 years ago

Duration 2:30

These young Indigenous people say Land Back Camp is helping them reconnect with their culture

Duncan said he entered the foster care system when he was six-months-old. He thought he was Ojibwe until, after years of trying, received an Indian status card that said he was Cree.

"It's weird spending your whole life trying to learn about something, and find out that you're something completely different," he said.

I attended my first ceremony. I've listened to Elders speak. I've been part of my first drum circles, I've helped make my first drum."- Olivia Maine, 27, on the cultural connections of Land Back Camp

Both Maine and Duncan arrived at the camp early in its establishment at Victoria Park, eager to learn more about themselves and their culture. They said they were warmly welcomed, and soon became integral parts of the community assuming responsibilities like night watch and fire keeping.

"I've learned so many stories, so many cultural elements about the medicines, about the sacred fire. I attended my first ceremony. I've listened to Elders speak. I've been part of my first drum circles, I've helped make my first drum," said Maine.

Every single day, Maine said they learn something new about their culture or about themselves.

'You come, and you're enough'

Land Back Camp was set up in mid-June to reclaim land that was once a hub of activity for Nations including Chonnonton, Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples.

After the first week, organizers realized it was also becoming something else.

"Indigenous and settler youth starting showing up at the camp, asking to join, and a lot of them wanting to either support the camp or a lot of them wanting to reconnect with their Indigeneity," said Shawn Johnston, one of the camp's co-founders.

Almost all of the youth have identified as Two-Spirit, queer, transgender or non-binary, Johnston explained.

"I guess the word has been honour, to be a part of this experience, to watch them grow, to see people like Ryan [Duncan] and Olivia [Maine] find their voices."

Maine and Duncan have been part of conversations with municipal levels of government about Land Back Camp and its purpose. Both stressed the importance of bringing Indigenous voices to the table.

"If there's stuff that gets decided about parks in our cities, we want Indigenous people to be there," said Duncan. "If there's construction being done in green spaces, Indigenous people need to be there."

They also both hope the land they're living and learning on in Victoria Park will continue to be a gathering space for Indigenous people.

"Land Back Camp kind of fills a bit of a niche that hasn't been filled before, for Two-Spirit, queer youth in general. Specifically downtown youth, urban youth, who don't have access to culture the same way," said Maine.

"You don't have to be something you're not when you step in the circle. You come, and you're enough."