Aboriginal Youth Moose Camp

In recognition of the rich history of our Aboriginal Peoples, the RCMP works each year with Aboriginal communities across the province to provide youth with the opportunity to experience a traditional moose hunt.

The main goal of this project is to provide First Nations Youth with an alternative to criminal activity by promoting a traditional alternative. The Moose hunt is an annual tradition in Cape Breton, in particular the Cape Breton Highlands. Every year, in anticipation of harvesting a Moose, hundreds of huntersmake their way into the Highlands in hopes of providing winter meat for their families and friends.

After attending several workshops on topics ranging from culture and teamwork to orienteering, selected youth are placed into hunting parties where they work together to harvest one moose for their community. Meat from the animal is shared in the community by way of a traditional community supper.

Program Breakdown

Phase 1: The successful candidates spend five days and nights in August with Aboriginal leaders and RCMP members at the Gaelic College in St.Anns, Cape Breton, NS. Here participants attend several workshops in relation to the traditional Moose harvest, aboriginal culture, the importance of leading a drug and alcohol free lifestyle and practical instruction on basic map & compass work, woods survival, firearm & hunter safety and conservation.

Phase 2: Youth travel to the Cape Breton Highlands where they take part in a three-day hunt with an experienced aboriginal hunter/chaperone assigned to each youth. The party constructs a 15-20 foot high wigwam, sleeps in tents and eats ready-to-eat meals provided by the Canadian Military.

Youth travel to the Cape Breton Highlands in September where they take part in a three-day hunt with an experienced aboriginal hunter/chaperone assigned to each youth. The chaperones and youth hunters erect Tee Pees and tents in an area designated as their camp. Hunting takes place in groups of four and, once a Moose has been harvested, proper steps are taken to ensure proper care of the meat. The Moose is then taken to the meat cutters and the hunting party returns to camp.

Phase 3: In order to celebrate the success of the hunt, a community feast is held in Wagmatcook. The young aboriginal participants in the camp serve freshly-cooked moose (with all the trimmings) to community members and their guests.