Mishtadim Horse Academy is the Anishinaabe Horsemanship After School and Summer Horseback Riding/Ojibwe Language and Academic Tutoring Program—another exciting way to preserve natural, and traditional, Native methods of communicating with horses and teaching these traditional ways to our youth, along with learning our language and academics. We show the co-relation between respecting another living being and learning to communicate with them, based on the Native American concept of developing a means of communication through a bond of friendship, respect and trust with horses.

Native Youth learning to saddle a horse (2003)

Over the past four years, the White Earth Land Recovery Project has provided area youth with the Mishtadim Horse Academy Program, which provides a healing process for our youth, as well as restoration of their cultural literacy and cultivating the unique relationship between humans and horses.

The students are taught Anishinaabeg culture, history, and traditional stories. They also learn about the health, care and behavior of the horses, and how to ride as the “Horse Whisperer,” learning that forming a bond of trust helps to develop a base for friendship. The main concept being, if the horse likes the person, the horse will respond well to that person, wanting to please. The implementation of Native American Horsemanship methods is not only essential for the development of fine horsemanship techniques for students, it creates communication skills with animals, as well as developing social interaction communication skills useable in society, reinforces cultural knowledge practiced by our ancestors, creates pride in Native heritage, and is essential for the humane treatment of the four-legged ones. For some, riding horses at Mishtadim Horse Academy is the only chance they have to experience this part of our Anishinaabeg heritage. This is an excellent assertiveness training for young people and is especially gratifying to see teenagers dramatically mature in confidence and character, while being exposed to our Ojibwe language.

Local Youth practicing their new horsemanship skills (2003)

In 2001 we worked with the Nez Perce Horse Program in Idaho to teach horsemanship, and culture with two resident Nez Perce instructors. We sent youth to their community to witness the culture and the way of life. We have continued this program over the years with various Anishinaabeg and Lakota instructors to include Vaughn Dolphus from the Cheyenne River Reservation in 2003.

Mishtadim Horse Academy Participants (2003)

This year (2004) our Mishtadim Horse Academy was conducted on September 24th - 26th with nine (9) participants ranging in ages 10-13, as well as two chaperones, at the Duane and Bambi Goodwin residence in Bemidji, Minnesota. The participants were picked up after school where they traveled to the Goodwin's horse ranch to meet their instructors and the horses they would be working with. The group next traveled to Bemidji State Park to set up camp, which also provided the group with a great exploration area for them to grow their own specific interests. After camp was set up, the group hiked many of the trails provided, stopping at historical markers and plant markers to learn more about the history of the area. Back at camp, while cooking a nutritious supper, the youth learned about the importance of a healthy diet for a horse, and maintaining a specific feeding time to form a repetitive cycle when working with the animal.

The next day, the group learned how to exercise and halter a horse, and learning the importance of maintaining safe equipment for the horse. The group responded well to their lessons and many were riding the first day in a small fenced area to begin confidence building with the horse they were riding. The next day, the group continued to demonstrate their newly gained skills and care for the horses as they continued to ride.

The White Earth Land Recovery Project continues to pursue its goal of having a full-time horse program in our community, to provide a place for our youth and their families as well as community members to keep their horses as they care for them, learn to ride and participate in after school and summer Native horsemanship programs. The Mishtadim Horse Program is a great opportunity to bring educational and recreational events to White Earth, and we are pleased to be able to offer the program once again.

To learn more about our Mishtadim Horse Academy or to request our quarterly newsletter, email us.