HONOURING THE LAND
Walking together to grow cultural programs in Manitoba
“It’s all about getting out on the land and giving everyone the opportunity to learn. That’s where the real connection happens.”
In Treaty 5 territory, youth in Hollow Water contribute directly to shaping the Spirit North programs that they will participate in.
Community Program Leader, Gabby Hall
The youth and community work with local Community Program Leader Gabby Hall to co-create land-based experiences that reflect their priorities, culture, and values in a way that is unique to where they live. These co-created programs have come to include activities like hunting, fishing, trapping, animal field dressing and processing, outdoor cooking, and survival skills.
This year, 891 community members (not including students) took part in programming in Hollow Water - an incredible showing of community engagement and participation.
With the youth at the centre of everything we do, they also play an integral role in guiding the direction of Spirit North’s programs. Their ideas and interests are harnessed to create exciting and meaningful programs that reflect the skills and experiences they are drawn to. The result is programming rooted in joy, connection, and belonging.
High-quality, safe programming depends on having the right equipment (canoes, life jackets, paddles, fishing gear), as well as engaged and consistent program leadership to ensure these opportunities continue. Thanks to partnerships and community collaboration, these programs are growing and giving back exponentially.
“If we don’t teach our children to utilize the land in a good way, who will be our land protectors in the future?”
This year, the youth were interested in creating opportunities to gather with Elders at some traditional sites in the region. These events were an opportunity for story sharing and for skills to flow between generations. The youth wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to become the next keepers of knowledge and culture in their community.
Through these experiences, Hollow Water youth find their voices. The skills they gain and the joy they experience through gathering to learn and play on the water or out on the land are beginning to resonate throughout their communities.
