I like the scenarios and all of the movement throughout the training.

From September 21-25, 2026 we were in Rádeyı̨lı̨kóé / Fort Good Hope to deliver all six modules of the Supporting Wellbeing Training.  This was our first time back in the community since early 2024, when we worked with the K’asho Got’ine Guardians.  We offered this as one of four fully funded Supporting Wellbeing Trainings this year.  

Our partner coordinator was Bianca Romagnoli, working on behalf of Charter Community of K’asho Got’ine.  Natasha Harris was our amazing emotional support.  Natasha is a trained counsellor and is originally from Rádeyı̨lı̨kóé. While on the land, we were supported by Chris, Twyla, and Joel who provided bear monitoring and first aid response.  Cole Hardisty and Kat Thomas facilitated the training, this was the third training delivered by this pair this year!  Ten amazing participants took part in this training.

Background

From the first day of training, it was clear that there was a large amount of knowledge and lived experience in the room. Participants brought a range of perspectives, including people who had recently moved to Rádeyı̨lı̨kóé and those with strong family ties to the community. They also brought varying levels of land-based experience and mental health training.  What stood out most was the participants’ determination to complete the training and the shared recognition of its importance for the community.

Location and land-based activities

Most of the training took place at the former Aurora College building, a building now overseen by the community. On Tuesday afternoon, Doris Manuel brought us to a location near the new airport for a land-based activity of berry picking and harvesting spruce gum.  The spruce gum was harvested for Goba Care, who uses it to make medicines for NWT residents who are travelling to southern Canada for healthcare.

Thursday afternoon’s land-based activity came together quickly with input from the participants, who suggested hosting a community feast at the new hide camp.  Despite less than a day’s notice, there was a huge turnout for the feast.  Food kept arriving throughout the afternoon, leaving both the people and the whiskeyjacks happy and well-fed.  We also got to have our closing circle for the day in a warm tipi.

The energy at the hide camp was so positive and grounding that we made the decision to host the final day of training at the site.  This shift to a land-based setting was a highlight for both the facilitators and participants.

Highlights and participant reflections

One of the most popular activities invited participants to design their dream camp set-up and to consider ways that wellness could be integrated into the design – so much creativity and imagination was shown in the different set-ups!  Additionally, participants overwhelmingly enjoyed the participant-led opening and closing circles each day.  We heard that people really appreciated the module on suicide and grief and some wished for it to be longer. 

A highlight for our team was the group cohesion that formed over the course of the training.  Kat, Cole, and Natasha were also honoured to receive gifts of drymeat and large eagle feathers from Brenda Pierrot.

Takeaway

Participants repeatedly expressed excitement for building on the momentum of the Supporting Wellbeing Training and to begin hosting land-based camps for the community.  We are looking forward to seeing what they put together.

We loved connecting with everyone and only wish we could have stayed longer!

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