Seventeenth Annual Wabun Youth Gathering Celebrates Culture And Traditions
The 17th Annual Wabun Youth Gathering was held in Mattagami First Nation in a week long event from July 15 to 19 for over 38 First Nation youth. The event was organized by the Wabun Tribal Council Health Department with the support of the tribal council’s member First Nations.
“Its important for us to keep this event going because our young people look forward to it every summer. They get to build life long friendships and stay connected to other youth and adults from the other communities. It’s a time for all of us to learn about our Indigenous heritage and to connect with the land. They get to learn from other each other and we adults get a chance to learn from the experience as well,” explained Josee Forget, Wabun Regional Crisis Coordinator and event organizer.
Organizers wanted to give youth participants plenty of exposure and awareness of cultural teachings and traditional activities.
“We had a lot of activities like craft making, fun games, beach volleyball and swimming. This is my second year coming to this event and I really like it because I get to learn about my culture and I get to have fun with lots of people,” said 13 year old Olivia Wincikaby of Matachewan FN.
Participants camped out in tents on the beautiful sandy shores of Lake Mattagami right next to the community of Mattagami FN. Youth were supervised during their entire visit as well as receiving added 24 hour support and security by local members to monitor for reported bear sightings in the area.
Daily activities included beach volleyball, water games, dream catcher making, soap stone carving, canoe racing and team games. Event facilitators provided educational programs for bear safety, internet safety and health education. Throughout the week, children were involved in a variety of group settings by the water, during meals or around a campfire where they met and learned from local Elders, traditional people and health educators to learn about First Nation culture, indigenous history and traditional legends and story telling.
“This was a great event for our young people. Living on the land is a great part of our culture and heritage. Bringing them out on the land is a good way to teach them and connect them to land where their families are from,” said Elaine Daley, Matachewan FN who was a chaperone for youth.
Wabun Health Director Angie Collins attended the event and Wabun Health staff were on hand including Debbie Proulx-Buffalo, Tony Miller, Faye Naveau and Erin Bondarenko. Children also received teachings from Elder Laura Jean Flood of Matachewan FN. Throughout the week adult chaperones from visiting communities supervised all youth and they were supported by local Mattagami FN members who provided support, services and assistance when it was needed. Daily meals were provided by the local catering services of husband and wife Darlene and Gary Naveau. Gary Naveau is also a former Chief of Mattagami FN.
Youth were also treated to other fun activities and events including a travelling magic show by ‘The Magic Of Christophe’, a mobile Climb n’ Fun activity centre and a foam fun party.
Chief Jennifer Constant of Mattagami FN attended the event earlier in the week to meet with Wabun Youth and show her support for the annual event.
“Mattagami First Nation is honoured to host our brother and sister First Nation communities at our beautiful beach for this annual gathering. We know the importance of relationship building between our various nations and sharing new skills and cultural knowledge for our Wabun area youth. This annual gathering is an important event to share traditional knowledge and to support our youth,” commented Chief Constant.
The Wabun Youth Gathering originated through the vision and dream of Wabun Elder Thomas Saunders of Brunswick House FN who lobbied for a youth gathering. The first gathering was held in Mattagami FN in 2007 through the leadership of past Health Director Jean Lemieux of Matachewan FN. Sadly, Elder Saunders passed on before his dream came to be.
Wabun Tribal Council is a regional territorial organization which represents the six First Nation communities of Beaverhouse, Brunswick House, Chapleau Ojibwe, Flying Post, Matachewan and Mattagami in Northeastern Ontario and it is directed by its respective Chiefs.