Each week, a group of youth gathers with Theresa, affectionately known as Mamma Tea. They begin their time together in a circle, grounding themselves through drumming, song, and open sharing about how they’re feeling and how their week has been. It’s a space for connection, reflection, and support.
With nourishing food and teachings from Mamma Tea, they’re learning how to make buckskin medicine pouches, carefully beading their own designs onto them. These hands-on activities are rooted in cultural knowledge and personal expression.
Next week, they’ll begin their hide camp, where they’ll spend time on the land learning how to tan hides. This is more than a skill—it’s a way of understanding reciprocity and the relationships between people, animals, and the land. Together, they’ll prepare two hides, so that future youth can use them to make medicine pouches next year, continuing the cycle of learning and gratitude for the teachings shared by Mamma Tea.