Gedakina Information

GEDAKINA (pronounced /g' dah keen nah/ and meaning, "Our world, a way of life" in the Wabanaki language) GEDAKINA is a multigenerational endeavor to strengthen and revitalize the cultural knowledge and identity of Native American youth, women and families from across New England, and to conserve our traditional homelands and places of historical, ecological and spiritual significance. Our interconnected activities focus on leadership development, early reader literacy, community health and wellness, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), sustainability practices, traditional food systems, healthy relationships and cultural revitalization. Participants acquire skills that will enable them to overcome challenges they will face throughout their lifetimes, and more practically, usable knowledge that will lead to greater opportunities for economic development, employment and continuing education. Core programs include: *PathFinders: is a four-season program that provides foundational instruction in technical outdoor skills, and offers adventure-based opportunities for youth looking to increase their life learned knowledge. *Kikawinnoak (Those who work with the land) supports and provides guidance to youth who are interested in Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), environmental sustainability practices, community supported agriculture, and food sovereignty. *We Are All Connected: offers a safe environment during in school and after-school programs for children to learn about inclusion, identity and diversity while challenging racism, bullying and violence though literacy, community mapping, history and art projects. *Braiding Sweetgrass empowers Native American women and girls to discover and strengthen their Voices offering educational and cultural activities, and through small group mentorship, that builds self-confidence, teaches new skills, and enables women and girls to be better informed and prepared for their life's pathways.