Yésa Rising: Native Pathkeepers Camp
Yésa Rising: Native Pathkeepers Camp
The 4rd Annual Native Youth Camp, hosted by 7 Directions of Service, will take place June 30 - July 5, 2025, on a working farm in Mebane, North Carolina. We aim to empower Native youth through culturally rooted education, land-based learning, and personal identity development.
This camp blends Indigenous science with Western frameworks, creating a dual learning experience that reinforces the value of Native knowledge systems. Elders, Clan Mothers, and adult mentors share teachings passed down through generations to help our youth become healthy, grounded people who know their cultural roots and purpose.
Key goals include:
- Fostering Indigenous identity and cultural pride
- Teaching environmental stewardship from traditional and modern perspectives
- Empowering youth to make healthy, sustainable food and life choices
- Building confidence, purpose, and personal leadership
Culture, Language, and Community Building
Culture and community are the heartbeat of our camp. We help youth understand their responsibilities to community, land, and self through ceremonies, storytelling, language exposure, and traditional ecological knowledge.
Our adult staff are trained cultural mentors who guide youth through reflection, creative expression, and community service. Campers participate in talking circles, learn about tribal governance, and hear directly from Elders. These experiences help them develop their cultural consciousness and sense of belonging.
Health and Wellness Education
The camp integrates health and wellness education through hands-on gardening, food preparation, and workshops on Indigenous food systems. We teach youth about:
- Where their food comes from
- How to grow and prepare traditional and healthy foods
- The importance of nutrition in preventing chronic illness
This is essential in a region where many Native families have limited access to fresh, locally grown produce. Our garden offers both learning and healing opportunities by reconnecting youth with ancestral foodways.
We also address historical and intergenerational trauma caused by land loss, forced assimilation, and food insecurity. Campers learn about community resilience and sovereignty through food, culture, and environmental justice