Stan Wesley's Web Journal: Lucky in Constance Lake

August 27 - 31, 2007...

Community: Constance Lake First Nation

Duties: Student Retreat and Staff Retreat

What a week! I have been in Constance Lake many times before and whenever I'm asked to go back multiple times, it's special. That tells me that I have established a relationship with the organization and the community.

The first three days were with the students for the Student Retreat. It was great, although the organizers were expecting more youth to show up. The timing was difficult for the young people though, since it was a week before school started. This resulted in what I do when I'm on my off work, I sleep in and take it easy. At the conclusion of the Student Retreat, I handed out 6 certificates.

The Staff Retreat was absolutely awesome, I was so impressed with the attitude of the Constance Lake Education Authority Staff. It is definately a reflection on the leadership of the organization, Susan Sutherland does such a fantasic job.

Here the staff is engaed in a trust activity and getting to know you opening game. They must manoeuvre around the facility keeping eye contact at all times, asking each other questions so they could get to know each other. A great way to start off any retreat or meeting is to hit them hard with an interesting and fun activity at the beginning. This builds interest and sets a great tone.

Teachers, I find, have a difficultly following instructions. So I had to keep a close eye on them so they wouldn't look away. I had to send a few of them down to the principal's office for cheating.

One of the highlights of the week, according to the staff, was the True Colours activity. This is a personality type workshop. The participants get to know themselves a bit better as well as the others in the team. Sometimes people don't know where they fit in a team environment, True Colours helps people find their place.

There was so much spirit and fun in the retreat. There were various committee reports that the staff presented. In order to fit the spirit of the event, I gave all groups the following presentation criteria:

Must be engaging

Must be entertaining

Must be fun

Must be creative

I didn't want the group to stand at a flip chart stand or read through slides. Visual aids should add to our presentations, but most often they take away from the overal effectiveness and most times the presenter just stands there and reads. Blah blah.

Above is a group rapping their report of youth appreciation, it was awesome!!!!

I take roasting weiners seriously!

At the same time of the Student Retreat, they had a community youth rally. One evening they hosted a weiner roast meltdown and a mashmellow stuff your face night.

My old friend Roberta and me enjoying a bite. Roberta is certified facilitator and does great work with the community's youth.

Whenever I go to Constance Lake, they work me hard. Or should I say, they let me play hard. I MC'd Constance Lake First Nation Idol. The Promise Girls are on stage on this pic performing for the community.

http://www.eaglesearth.com/

I had the pleasure of staying at the beautiful Eagles Earth Centre. This place is very impressive, I admire the people of Constance Lake for dreaming up such a wonderful facility.

Each teepee has an animal name attached to it. I decided against staying in one, however, I decided on staying in a A Frame Cabin.

The main hallway in the Centre is a feast of information. There are great pictures, artifacts, and huge banners hanging throughout.

Since it was the first time most the staff experienced Eagles Earth, we had to take the tour of the place. This gives the teachers a chance to scope out the place so they could incorporate the centre for any units or projects.