By Cheryl Jahn

New program for youth

Aug 25, 2023 | 3:58 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – There was something fishy going on at UMBC recently. It was one small part of a special program put on jointly by the Foundry, the Central Native Health Centre and the University of Northern B.C.

“Well, it started back in June, so our first our first outing was making drums,” explains Sandy Galletti with Foundry. “So we were out at Wilkinson’s Park, and we we made drums and then got together again as a group to paint the drums, soaked up the design, and paint them. And then we’ve also been out to schools to do some foraging and learning about medicinal plants, and plant medicine with some of the elders. And we’ve been up to ancient forest as well. And more recently we were out at Aunt Way Berry picking. We had to we had to make some last-minute changes because the berries just aren’t that great this year of where people normally pick.”

Beverly best works in the cultural center within Central Interior Native Health as a knowledge holder.

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“What we do is connect them to culture. And so we’ve gone out to different forests, Ancient Forest, and taught them about medicines and plants. We go on hikes or we go canoeing or anything that we can teach them the cultural or indigenous lens of seeing the world. And so we brought in salmon so they can learn how to can salmon that not only are they learning how to can it, they’re learning how to fillet it, how to cut it out, how to be very careful with sharp knives, all of those things, and working together as a team. It’s just amazing how quickly they learn and what they’re doing here today.”

The young people in the program avail themselves of the services of the Foundry. For these youth this particular adventure is new.

“This is the first time we’ve we’ve we’ve done this particular type of programing. Last year, we provided some weekly mindfulness based on nature, says Galletti. “So this has just taken it a step further, providing that opportunity for youth who otherwise wouldn’t get it to to get out of town, out of the city.”

And for the young people taking part in this particular aspect of the summer-long voyage, it’s a golden opportunity to learn culturally sensitive life skills.

“Most of the youth that are coming out don’t have, you know, family members or people who have transportation, right? There’s a lot of barriers to getting out and accessing the amazing nature that we have around Prince George.”