The Forks in downtown Winnipeg has been a gathering place for hundreds of years.
On Tuesday the site was the setting for local students to learn about indigenous teachings.
Dozens of middle school students sat together around seven fires burning to host seven different discussions – each conversation circling in on one of the seven sacred teachings.
"I want to take home respect, courage and I want to take home pretty much all of them because they're awesome," grade 6 student Mia Ammazzini said.
The teachings include love, honesty, respect, truth, humility, courage and wisdom.
Ammazzini said the idea of respect, no matter your gender, is really important to her.
"I feel like we should all be the same and it doesn’t matter we should all be powerful," she said.
The gathering was organized by Clayton Sandy, who believes the key to changing attitudes towards racism is to educate youth.
"I think the seven sacred teachings aren't just Aboriginal issues, like love and respect and honour, I think everybody, we should all live by that,” Sandy added.
The significance of fire is also a part of the lesson.
"When we say a prayer the smoke from that fire will rise up to the creator," Fire Keeper William Greenwalt said.
He hopes the kids now understand the teachings and how they show everyone is connected.
"It all kind of falls hand in hand, each one works with the other and it's kind of a guideline to life," he said.
Like Mia, many students left The Forks with a blaze burning within and they are ready to spread the word like wildfire.
"I found pretty much more family,” she said. “These people are pretty much all my family members. because we are all the same."
"It doesn't matter where you live, it doesn't matter who you are, what language you speak, you should be allowed to express yourself to everyone,” added grade 5 student Brooke Fontaine.
