The two teens who captured international attention for Maskwacis by winning the Zayed Sustainability Prize in a global competition in January are leading a student hydroponic garden program at Mamawi Atosketan Native School (MANS). The first harvest—four types of salad greens—will take place October 5 at Mamawi Atosketan Native School, eight kms from Maskwacis.
The harvest event will be open to community visitors. The garden attracted much attention on MANS’ registration day earlier this month, including a visit from Chief Wilton Littlechild. Littlechild had attended a dinner put on by Ermineskin Cree Nation and Louis Bull Tribe to celebrate Elias Mykat and Kenyon Bull, who accepted the international Zayed Sustainability Prize on behalf of MANS in Abu Dhabi. The chief had many questions about the hydroponic program and registered his granddaughter, a new Grade 12 student who, along with Mykat and Bull, is one of four keen student leaders of the hydroponic program.
High school students can receive academic credit in a structured participation program, but the education-focused hydroponic garden is also open to elementary students. It’s overseen by Ray Fankhauser, the former Canadian ambassador who guided Bull and Mykat through their Abu Dhabi trip and 30+ media interviews and industry invitations.
Eight teachers at the kindergarten-Grade 12 school have incorporated the garden into their classes. It is anticipated that each enrolled student will go home from harvest day with a head of lettuce.
