b'EDUCATIONReconnecting YouthBY NIKITA DAYwith Land-based ActivitiesAdapting to a new normal through Indigenous resiliencyB efore the COVID-19 pandemic, students in First Nations communities would gather together to share in culture, feasting, teaching and learning. This year, they have had to move most of these practices online. But lack of internet connectivity in communities continues to create accessibility issues for many of the students. Brad Battiston is the principal at the Matawa Education and Care Centre in Thunder Bay, Ont. The school serves nine Matawa communities, catering to students who have had trouble succeeding in the regular provincial system. We would be considered an alternative education private school, so we have a lot of land-based program-ming, mental wellness support, and we have flexible programming for our students to achieve their credits, says Battiston. The centre also offers full wrap-around support services for students, including after-school recreation and cultural activities, tutoring and Diane Bebonang, a student of the Mshiigaade Miikan skills program at Kenjgewin Teg, carefully prepares materials for her project. a safe sobering site. The pandemic FNTI Now Offers Virtual Indigenous Education!Prepare for your future career fromwww.FNTI.netanywhere in Canada with FNTIs virtualVisit us today to apply for FREEclasses.FNTI programs are rooted in culture and Indigenous ways of knowing. If you are an agency with workforce development needs, FNTI may be able to develop a dedicated cohort to help!Standalone Indigenous DegreesBachelor of Indigenous Social Work Bachelor of Indigenous Law and JusticeBachelor of Indigenous Midwifery 3 Old York RoadBachelor of Indigenous SustainableTyendinaga Mohawk TerritoryONK0K 1X0Food Systems Toll Free: 800.267.0637 ext. 156 recruitment@fnti.netI ssue2 2020/21C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne l 25'