Physical Address
357 Agency Rd,
Lapwai, ID 83540
Students in the Youth Cultural Enrichment Academy (YCEA) spent over 120 hours of “class time” out in the field learning and working on Nez Perce culture projects including historical fishing techniques/knowledge, storytelling, gathering and storing traditional medicines, and learning the history and importance of the sundance. Students also toured the eagle aviary and tribal garden on the Coeur d’Alene reservation. Other places they visited were Winchester, Elk River, Clarkia, Mud Springs, Lolo, Arizona, Pine Par Recreation Area, and Lochsa.
The Youth Cultural Enrichment Academy is a collaboration between the Nez Perce Tribe and Northwest Indian College and began 16 years ago as an alternative to the summer youth employment program. Instead of focusing on accomplishing simple office duties, the shift in learning centered on engaging in cultural practices and highlighting the importance of protecting natural resources within the scope of workforce development training.
This year, students had the opportunity to participate in additional activities such as swimming, gathering berries, learning songs, and making drums and other crafts.
YCEA students broadened their knowledge of traditional teachings each day, while also recognizing the role they can play in the community, through service and action. This year the focus was getting out into the mountains as much as possible to gather and visit our natural resources while emphasizing showing gratitude for all resources through prayer and song.
There were also a few surprise lessons along the way. One day, while hiking and looking for “cawiikt,” we stumbled upon a small pond, in which we soon found that it had leeches in it. We shared a few minutes of disgust, but then were intrigued by its purpose as a living creature.
Another moment of surprising lessons happened on their trip to Lolo, MT. A few students had to use the restroom, and the unplanned stop turned into another hike up the mountain, where students were able to enjoy a natural hot spring. Again, it was a spontaneous teaching moment, and students were fully engaged and grateful for their small bladders that day.
To conclude the program, YCEA participants created a vlog of all the activities and experiences in the summer program. They all did an amazing job and had some great answers to their interview questions. This is the first time YCEA utilized a vlog as their final project. The songs the students learned are also shared on the video. (Posted at bottom)
So many people helped make this year’s YCEA a great success, from providing meals, transporting students, storytelling, teaching, and offering behind-the-scenes support.
1855 Catering, owned by Clarice & Orlando Villavicencio, provided several meals inspired by traditional foods. The meals included were: baked salmon with rice, corn on cob, chocolate covered strawberry; frybread with a roasted chili and elk, lemon shortcake with strawberry and whip; Oriental salmon bowls with strawberry and vanilla cookies; buffalo roast with carrots, huckleberry cake with whip, corn with cotija cheese/cilantro; Indian tacos with buffalo chili, watermelon, and smores. Every bite was filled with deliciousness and love.
Cultural artists and elders led sessions with a hands-on approach to learning. Emaqis QeciYewyew (Big Thanks) to Danielle Scott, Andre Picard, Edith Powaukee, Harry Slickpoo, Jr., Leslie Moses, Tawiya Williams, Wallowa Youth Retreat Staff and Teachers, Elizabeth Bourgeau, Nicole Higheagle, Lalonni Burke, Brooklyn Baptiste.
Several organizations and departments also contributed to the success of this year’s program. They include: Northwest Indian College, Nez Perce Tribe, Nez Perce Tribe Local Ed Fund, Bureau of Indian Affairs Youth Initiative, Northwest Indian College, University of Idaho Extension Program, Nez Perce Tribe Child Support Program, Wallowa Youth Retreat Staff, Social Service Program, Potlatch Fund, Wildhorse Foundation.
Lastly, this program could not happen without the 2025 YCEA Staff: Angela Picard, Tawiya Williams, Interns: Rebecca Padilla, Wanapheya Tolman, and Jena Henry (Note: interns assisted in keeping students engaged each day while concurrently enrolled in summer classes at Northwest Indian College); and Students: Angel Broncheau, T’Naya George, Rashawn Henry, Esperanza Lara, Xavier Lawrence, Jerardi McCormack, Paisley McCormack, Lois Oatman, Ella Payne, Cavell Samuels, Thamius Sherman, Koen Smiscon, Octavian Umtuch, and Jennilia WhiteTemple.
