Earlier this year, 10 Indigenous NC students explored their roots and expanded their connections to Indigenous culture through land-based learning on a trip of a lifetime to Canada’s Yukon.
Organized by NC’s Indigenous Education department, and made possible through the Embark Student Foundation – the largest-ever gift for Indigenous Education at NC – this immersive, un-plugged land-based experience in the Kwanlin Dün territory of the Yukon allowed students to connect with nature, culture, Indigenous elders and each other.
NC students visited the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.
“We are deeply thankful for the generous donation from the Embark Student Foundation that made this important cultural experience possible for our students,” said Leah Hogan, Director, Indigenous Education. “As Indigenous Peoples, our connection to the land and each other is paramount and through this trip, NC students were able to develop and nurture that connection as they explored the beauty of the Yukon.”
During the six-day trip, students participated in an array of cultural and spiritual experiences which included a medicine walk, a medicine bag making workshop, a visit to Copper Caribou’s hide camp, a five-hour hike with huskies through the wilderness and a guided tour of the Yukon’s Wildlife Preserve.
“It’s important for Indigenous youth to develop a relationship with the land and to see how other nations are reclaiming their Indigenous identity,” said Aria D’alimonte, Indigenous Culture and Events Coordinator and trip leader. “Travelling to the Yukon with NC students was a powerful experience and I’m honoured to have walked beside them on this journey.”
Students travelled to the Yukon for an un-plugged land-based experience.
Spending time in the Kwanlin Dün territory of Whitehorse gave students the chance to learn more about the area and the people of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation. The largest First Nation in Yukon, their name refers to a section of the Yukon River called Kwanlin meaning “running water through canyon,” another reminder of the importance of Indigenous Peoples connection to the land.
“To say it was an honor and privilege to go to the Yukon on an Indigenous land-based learning trip is an understatement,” said Amber Laliberte, NC student. “A group of students (and let’s face it the leads and the tour guide too) all in different parts of their journey took the time to learn, take care of each other and share their vulnerability. I don’t think any of us were ready for the personal and cultural significance it provided us with. And if this isn’t what reconnection and resurgence is all about, I don’t know what it. The answer is in community and living.”
Through this trip, The College made important steps towards advancing the work of supporting Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing – one of four areas of focus in the College’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Blueprint.
Students who travelled to the Yukon as part of this Indigenous retreat shared that they left the trip feeling rejuvenated, connected, and appreciative.
