On the Land Canoe Trip for Youth and Elders supporting mental health and wellness

After a morning working at the NAHO booth, I was able to take in a few sessions in the afternoon related to sport and recreation.

Wendy Lahey of the NWT Recreation and Parks Association (NWTRPA), a non profit organization that works with communities across the territory to promote healthy living through active recreation, presented on a project that united youth and Elders through recreation for mental health and healing.

The Mackenzie River Youth Leadership canoe trip was held for youth and elders of the Dehcho and Sahtu regions of the NWT. The sixteen-day canoe trip incorporated four components of an Indigenous model of mental health and healing: community, cultural identity, holistic approach and interdependence.

The project is an example of a holistic approach to programming, as the trip’s spiritual framework was intended to foster respect for the historical and sacred significance of the land, the waterway and its people.

Actually, while working as sports editor in the Northwest Territories, I remember covering this event in 2008. It was wonderful to see a project that involved so many youth, elders, and also many people from the receiving communities along the route. Communities held social events such as ceremonies, celebrations and feasts. Having the elders involved in the trip ensured elements of Dene cultural identity such as language, stories, Indigenous knowledge, land and nature. When I had interviewed some of the youth after the trip, they had remarked having had quite memorable, and sometimes life changing experiences they probably wouldn’t soon forget.