TSIIGEHTCHIC/ARCTIC RED RIVER
There's something for everyone when it comes to wellness programming in Tsiigehtchic.

Haileigh-Ann Cardinal and Kailey Cardinal do their nails during a weekly spa night in Tsiigehtchic on March 2. The evening is part of new aboriginal wellness programming in the community. - photo courtesy of Alison Cardinal

"I'm pretty sure the whole community is starting to get involved in our programs," said Alison Cardinal. "We're getting compliments like every day."

Cardinal is the Gwichya Gwich'in Band's assistant wellness co-ordinator in charge of youth and prenatal programming.

Her sister, Stephanie Clark, is in charge of programs and activities for elders. Together, they are finding new ways to keep Tsiigehtchic residents healthy and entertained.

One of the most popular programs is a weekly spa night.

Held every Wednesday evening at the band office, the event allows residents to put their feet up and relax.

"We decided to put the elders and the youth together for spa night so they could get together and bond and get to know each other at the same time," Cardinal said.

For Shelly Andre, the evening is a great way to unwind.

"When I go there, they have candles and music playing and it's just relaxing," she said.

It's also an activity not typically found in Tsiigehtchic, Andre added.

"We haven't had anything like that here before," she said. "It's good to treat your body."

Participants can paint their nails, soak their feet, create and apply homemade face masks and learn about ways to clean and preserve makeup brushes. The night usually includes a health snack and smoothie-making.

"It's just to remind yourself to take care of yourself, that it's very important to be well," Cardinal said.

Spa night also includes free haircuts for men and boys, thanks to a local barber.

On Mondays, Cardinal instructs a healthy cooking class in the kitchen at Chief Paul Niditchie School that features a different menu each week. The class on Feb. 29 taught participants how to make sushi while the week before included stuffed peppers.

"We do everything from scratch," Cardinal said.

There is also a program just for moms and babies that gives mothers a chance to get together and discuss topics such as bottle feeding versus breast feeding, Cardinal said.

Later this month, Cardinal will be hosting a sewing program for youth She also hopes to include a vision board-making activity during an upcoming spa night.

"You bring it home and you put it somewhere in your house, you look at it every day and it encourages you, it motivates you to get to your goals in life," she said.

Elders programs also take place throughout the week, said Clark. An Elders in Motion class takes place on Tuesdays, which focuses on simple exercises such as getting up from a chair and wall push-ups. Staff from the health centre often come and assist with the program, Clark said.

On Wednesdays, both Clark and Cardinal deliver a local radio program on activities available in the community, as well as sports schedules and local events.

A luncheon for elders and community members aged 30 and over is held each Thursday at the Chief Paul Niditchie School gym, which also includes a merchandise Bingo game or cribbage games that alternate each week, Clark said.

A lunch for the rest of the community is held each Friday at the school as well, Cardinal said. The lunch is a great way to use up any leftovers from cooking classes earlier in the week, ensuring nothing goes to waste, she added.

"All the leftovers, I usually give it to the kids at the gym or my community lunches," she said. "So I don't just throw out my food, I give it away."

Cardinal said now that they know which activities residents enjoy most, the pair hope to add new activities throughout the spring and summer.

"We were just trying things out here and there to see what the community likes," she said. "So we figured it out and we'll be adding more stuff to it."

In the meantime, Clark said there is more than enough to keep everyone active.

"It's a busy little productive community we're living in right now," she said.