Hayward 8th Grade Students Take Deer Camp Field Trip

Submitted Article

Pics by Amanda Scheel

The Hayward Middle School partnered with the Bizhiki Wellness Center, Project A.W.A.R.E., TOP Grant, LCO Conservation, the Lac Courte Oreilles Boys & Girls Club, and the Johnson-O’Malley program to take their 8th grade students to a deer camp field trip coordinated by Amanda Scheel, Brent Belisle, and Anne Marie Larson.

In addition to the Hayward students, five students from Winter Middle School also attended the deer camp trip.

Students and chaperones rotated between six stations. At one station ran by Brent Belisle and Dylan Smith, they learned how to skin and butcher a deer. Another station ran by our LCO Game Wardens Henry Bearheart and Aaron DeBrot, they were taught about Ojibwe treaty rights. Elaine Belisle taught about the history of frybread and did a frybread making demonstration while Santino Pacheco cooked up some venison.

Each group enjoyed eating the frybread and venison as well as chili made by Amanda Scheel. Michael DeMain spoke to students about traditional Anishinaabe hunting protocol and the importance of asema when hunting and harvesting. Mike Nechuta, 8th grade science teacher, ran a blood tracking station and kept the kids engaged in tracking down two deer through the woods then dragging them out (two decoys, a tire, a log, and some rope were used). Greg Boss, 7th grade math teacher, taught the students about tree identification and related the many uses of birch bark by Ojibwe people as well as what other species of trees are used for in the broader local community.

A survey was done and all students and staff said they would recommend this field trip for next year’s 8th graders. All presenters received rave reviews.

Chi-miigwech to all involved in making this happen! We especially appreciate Melinda McKevett-Isham, Bonnie Beaudin, and Art Mustache for the use of the Boys and Girls Club and all of the assistance they provided and Michael DeMain for providing the deer.