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BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO
It is possible to have the best both worlds. That’s the message sent to youth through the Tlicho Imbe Program, a summer program that balances cultural learning with contemporary training.

Lee Ann Rabesca, Diane Beaverho and Janelle Nitsiza participate in leadership training at Sah Naji Kwe camp outside Behchoko during the first phase of the Tlicho Imbe Program in May. - photo courtesy of Paul Cressman

"The program is based on Chief Jimmy Bruneau’s philosophy of being strong like two people," said Paul Cressman, program manager. "It’s a common Tlicho adage."

The significance of this motto is reinforced in all aspects of the program, Cressman said.

"People are leaving their communities to follow Western education so they can enter the workforce and take the knowledge from this new way of living, this new Western style," he said. "But because they’re leaving their communities, they’re weakening that other person."

The program, which is now in its second year, combines traditional activities, such as sewing, beading, hunting and fishing, with workshops that aim to bolster participants' resumes, such as first aid and CPR. They also learn GPS mapping and take healthy living workshops.

It is set up in two phases. The first phase began in May and trained post-secondary students as team leaders for six weeks, Cressman said. Team leaders then return to their home communities to implement the second phase of the program, which is available to high school students in Grade 10 and up.

Sixteen leaders now deliver the program to 30 participants in Behchoko, Gameti, Whati and Wekweeti.

Janelle Nitsiza, a team leader in Whati, was also a team leader last year. She said the program’s motto is important to her.

"I kind of live by the model, 'strong like two people,'" she said.

Nitsiza said, so far, the group has nearly completed their community service project, which was to repair a fence in the community, which they plan to decorate with paintings of local flowers. They have also learned sewing and beading and will soon participate in a paddle-making workshop on the land.

Participant Tracella Romie said the program is a chance to learn more about her culture. Her favourite activity so far has been to construct her family tree with help from local elders.

"I didn’t really know what my great-grandparents' names were," she said. "I was pretty stoked when I learned their names."

The program is also popular with community elders, who spend time with the groups teaching everything from meat and fish drying to drumming and paddle-making.

"What I’ve heard is elders are again just thrilled to be able to pass on their knowledge," Cressman said. "They’ve grown up working hard and working on the land their whole lives so it's a nice opportunity for them to get back out there and use some of those skills."

Sam Jr. Mantla, the team leader in Gameti, said spending time with elders is helping him learn new Tlicho words. In a few weeks, the group will learn how to scrape, tan and smoke hides, which he said he is really looking forward to.

"I like learning my culture and I like teaching youth their culture," he said. "We’re losing our culture slowly due to modern times, it’s good to bring those back a little."

Additionally, the group has just completed a first aid certificate course. They spend Mondays and Tuesdays taking courses and workshops, while the rest of the week is spent learning traditional skills.

Cressman said the program is treated like a full-time job.

Participants earn $15 an hour. They had to send a cover letter and resume and underwent an interview before being accepted.

"It's set up as a nine-to-five job, Monday to Friday. People are expected to show up on time," he said. "While we’re learning cultural skills and building resume and safety skills, we’re also trying to teach employment skills."

Leaders had to be enrolled or be planning to enrol in a post-secondary institution to qualify.

By creating jobs for youth, they can then spend their summers in their home communities and strengthen their ties to their culture rather than working at a mining camp or other employment, Cressman added.

The idea is popular, he said. Last year's program was so successful that there weren’t enough spots for everyone who wanted to participate this year.

Romie said she knows why.

"It's an awesome program and a great opportunity," she said. "I feel really honoured to be chosen to do this."

Nitsiza agreed.

"It’s a great way to engage youth with elders," she said. "Traditionally that's how life was, you were taught by your elders. This program means that tradition is coming back."

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