In February, 2026, Supporting Wellbeing (SWB) hosted a week-long training in partnership with Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC).  The training provides tools and approaches for strengthening the wellbeing of staff and participants at land-based programs. 

The setting

This training was held at Reindeer Station, an IRC-owned camp about an hour’s drive from Inuuvik / Inuvik, by ice road.  The SWB training was first piloted at Reindeer Station back in 2021, and since then both the Station and our curriculum have seen major upgrades!  It was an absolutely perfect setting and played a big role in the success of the week.

The trip began with a few hiccups: a missed flight and a facilitation bin lost in cargo. The team adapted and the training ended up going incredibly well. It was co-facilitated by Cole Hardisty and Kat Thomas, with support and mentorship from Rachel Cluderay.  Jo–Ellen Lyslo provided emotional support to participants and the facilitation team, and we were well taken care of by the Reindeer Station staff, including Ferralinne, Mary, Velma, Brandon, Hugh, Isaac, and Jimmy.  

Nine participants travelled from Inuuvik for this training.  They included staff from IRC, Parks Canada, and Inuvik Youth Centre.  This was a fantastic group of participants to work with, each of them brought a depth of knowledge and experiences to the training and were eager to share and connect.

Land-based activities

Land-based activities are an integral part of any Supporting Wellbeing training, they offer grounding and a break from days of heavier content, they are also a bonding activity and a chance to remember what we are here to do.  IRC knocked it out of the park with activities that included fixing a whole reindeer, visiting the reindeer herd and learning from the herders (Bo, Steve, and Amos), and gathering in the evening around a massive bonfire. We were especially lucky to have Glenn Guevara there as a photographer to capture some of these moments! 

These events were so grounding and are stories that we’ll be sharing for years to come.  How could we forget when two men from Montreal showed up at the camp (in the middle of us fixing the reindeer) after getting lost on the ice road?  Or when Ferralinne pranked Jo-Ellen with dog-jaw? Not to mention, we probably all still have “Take me home, Winter Roads” stuck in our heads.  

Highlights and participant reflections

Visiting the herd and spending time around the bonfire were definite highlights.  In addition to these, participants shared that they especially appreciated:

• The amazing group of people
• Modules on conflict resolution and communication skills, and suicide intervention and life promotion
• The combination of group work, scenarios, and reading
• Learning actionable tools for programming and practicing how to apply them
• Gaining better understanding of how to plan programs with a focus on wellness

Here are some quotes from participants:

“I feel like this training has made me a stronger leader by making me feel I can be direct with others.”

“These conversations will and have come up working with youth and now I feel like I have the tools to handle it”

Takeaway

Participants shared that they are looking forward to using their new skills in their programs and in their day to day life.  Some of them are already exploring ways to bring the SWB training to more of their colleagues. This meant a lot to us and we’d love to deliver more trainings up north!

We are so thankful for IRC for hosting us and co-coordinating the training, especially for the staff at Reindeer Station who kept us warm and fed, and taught us new card games.  We’re also so thankful for the fantastic participants who made the training so meaningful.  

Mahsi & Quyanainni!