We partnered with the Tłı̨chǫ Government to host the first Supporting Wellbeing training of 2025. This free, five-day training took place on the Land, outside of Whatì. The training was led by Supporting Wellbeing facilitators, Mandee McDonald and Maxine Lacorne, with emotional support provided by Mary Adele Rabesca, an Elder from Whatì, and Jonah Gordon, a counselor with the Tłı̨chǫ Government (TG). Most of the ten participants were staff with the Tłı̨chǫ Government who support or deliver land-based programs across Tłı̨chǫ lands.

The day before training began, participants and organizers skidooed out to an on-the-land camp on Burnt Island, about a 20-minute ride from Whatì. The site featured small cabins for sleeping and a large cabin for cooking, eating, training, and activities. This setting was integral to the training, allowing participants to build stronger connections with each other and with the Land.

Over the course of five days, participants went through all six Supporting Wellbeing training modules. Highlights for many in the group included learning about the history of Canadian colonialism through an interactive timeline activity, gaining new terms to describe different aspects of trauma, and creating a map of their community that identified different wellness resources and services.

In the evenings, we were guided by local sewers Dianne, Louisa, Cathy, and Mary Adele to create our own canvas wrap boots and moccasins — each participant left with new footwear (or in one case, two new pairs of mittens) that they had made themselves! Additionally, one afternoon we went out on Lac La Martre to watch as Archie, Jerry, Peter, and Tony set a net under the ice. When we checked it the next day, we found more fish than anyone could have imagined! Each participant got to go home with fresh whitefish. These cultural activities, arranged by the Tłı̨chǫ Government, were appreciated by both participants and organizers.

In addition to their new footwear and a bag of whitefish, participants left the training equipped with a host of new tools and resources to use when responding to mental health challenges at on the land camps and in day-to-day life. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the participants and the huge number of people involved in making this training a success. Mahsi cho!

Interested in having Supporting Wellbeing training in your community? Click here to request a training.