Caption: One of the Youth Healing Gathering organizers and KCA Youth Council members, Shy Loon, asks Elders a question during an Elder and Youth panel, October 19, 2024.

Ogimaawabiitong (Kenora Chiefs Advisory) is honoured to have hosted the KCA Youth Council’s first Youth Healing Gathering to unite, connect, and build relationships across Treaty #3, while working towards ending the ongoing Mental Health crisis in the region.

The gathering of 30 to 40 youth aged 12 to 29 from KCA member communities took place at the KCA Youth and Family Wellness Camp on October 19th and 20th, organized and supported by KCA Youth Council Members.

The gathering began with a Sunrise Ceremony and Opening Ceremony, with KCA’s Grandmother Drum Shawanoong Banaise’seek and our drummers. Elders Allan White, Andy White, Luanne Kavanaugh, Agnes Paul, and George Land provided opening prayers and blessings.

Youth were then able to take part in several Anishinaabe teachings, including ribbon skirt making with Danielle Kakeway, painting with local artist Alicia Kejick, beading with Serena Kenny, a sweatlodge ceremony with Billy Boucher, Powwow dance teachings with Wesley Nelson, yoga with Madelaine Arseneault, a scavenger hunt, and empowerment activities and prizes from Grand Council Treaty #3.

 

“It’s good seeing new faces come out,” said KCA Youth Council member, Lexx Paul. “It’s good seeing youth from all over Treaty #3. I’m excited to see what’s next. And the KCA Youth and Family Wellness Camp is a great spot. I feel safe. I feel like I can hang out with everyone.”

A special highlight of the weekend’s gathering was an Elders Panel with KCA’s Elders Council, where youth were able to ask our Elders about any topic they could think of, including connecting with the land, uses of sacred medicines, proper cultural protocols, relationships, and much more.

“It was good to have our Elders here,” added Paul. “I wish we had more time with them. We should have them here, always. They’re important to us. They’re the ones who are guiding us. It’s our choice and chance to follow those directions.”

Ogimaawabiitong would like to send a huge Miigwetch to the KCA Youth Council for organizing such a wonderful weekend of healing together with Treaty #3 youth, the KCA Elders Council for their unwavering support and guidance throughout the weekend, and our drummers for their renderings.

We’d also like to acknowledge Emcee Gary Smith, Danielle Kakeway, Alicia Kejick, Madelaine Arseneault, Serena Kenny, Billy Boucher, Bobby Hudon, Wesley Nelson, Rachel Yesno, and Tassanee Weese for helping to teach our youth, as well as the KCA Anishinaabe Diabetes Education and Prevention Team, KCA Child & Youth Mental Health Team, and the KCA Youth and Family Wellness Camp team for their support, and Summer Shine Creations for the beautiful decorations.

“We were so grateful to have the helpers from KCA and communities come out and help the youth in their learning, healing and wellness,” said KCA’s Health Promotion Manager, Lucille McKenzie.

“It was beautiful to see and hear the smiles and laughter and to know they chose to attend an event like this rather than other weekend activities that they could have done instead,” she adds. “Thanks again for all your hard work and commitment to the wellness of our youth!”

Another Miigwetch to our Sponsors: Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle, Miisun Integrated resource Management Co., Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig, and Shooniyaa Wa-Biitong.