Annual Wabun Youth Gathering Held In Wilderness Location

Wabun Tribal Council hosted the 17th Annual Wabun Youth Gathering for senior Indigenous youth in Beaverhouse First Nation in northern Ontario.

The event, which was held from Aug. 12 to 15, is the second half of this annual gathering which is meant for youth from the ages of 14 to 18.

The first part of the event was held in Mattagami First Nation, on July 15 to 17, for junior-aged youth.

These annual events are hosted and organized by the Wabun Tribal Council health department, with the support of the tribal council’s member First Nations.

“This was a fun week,” said Drake Charbonneau, a Matachewan First Nation youth. “I got to learn more about fishing, gathering food and how to use the canoes properly. I also learned about my culture and my background. It feels good for me to learn about those things I don't know about my culture.”

This was the first time the annual gathering was held at the Beaverhouse First Nation settlement, on the shores of the Misema River system northeast of Kirkland Lake. The location, accessible only by water, provided a wilderness setting on historic First Nation territory that gave youth plenty of opportunities to live and learn about Indigenous culture, traditions and language on the land.

“I am really happy to see people gathering on our settlement as it reminds me of all those times our families gathered here so many years ago,” said Elder Abraham Thiverge. “It all reminds me of my family, my parents and all the Elders who once lived here and how we all gathered together during important events. It feels good to see our community with so much life and activity with these young people.” 

Thiverge was born in 1953 on the Misema River system, not far from the current Beaverhouse First Nation settlement, when his family followed a more traditional and land-based lifestyle. He happily shared his stories of the traditional life he remembered as a child and the traditional language that his people spoke.

Elder Laura Jean Flood of Matachewan First Nation also spent time with youth to take part in activities and to share her stories and wisdom. Elder Burt McKenzie acted as one of the boat operators to ferry people to the community and was there to encourage the youth.

“We’re happy that Wabun chose to host their event at our settlement lands this year as it gives these young people a chance to see where our community is located and to know the history of our area,” said Beaverhouse chief Wayne Wabie.

The Wabun Youth Gathering has been held in various wilderness locations every summer within one of the Wabun Tribal Council First Nation territories in northeastern Ontario.

“It was great to see our youth take part in this year’s event at the Beaverhouse First Nation settlement,” said Josee Forget, the Wabun regional crisis coordinator and event organizer. “This annual gathering is special to our youth as it allows them an opportunity to connect to other young people and to learn about their culture.”

Daily events featured sharing circles and group gatherings where history, teachings and storytelling was taught by group facilitators and traditional teachers. Youth took part in activities including traditional fishing practices on the Misema River, arts and craft making, traditional Pow Wow dancing and bannock making.

In the evenings, youth, adults, chaperones, organizers and community members regularly gathered for traditional storytelling and sharing of local history around campfires or a teepee that was made available for everyone.

Special presentations were provided by visiting facilitators including Ozhawa Anung Kwe, a 2Spirit Anishinaabe storyteller and advocate from Rankin Reserve of Batchewana First Nation and by Scott Wabano, an IndigiQueer creative artist and advocate from Waskaganish First Nation.

“We have to remind youth the importance of self-care and self-love as these are lessons that have always been deep rooted in our communities, our people and our heritage,” Wabano said. “I am here to remind youth of those lessons and that there is power in caring and loving yourself. I believe that this is what builds stronger individuals which goes on to build stronger communities.”

Wabun Health leadership and staff led the planning and development of this year’s event.

“It’s important for us to host this annual summer gathering as it strengthens the bonds that these youth have with others and provides them with traditional and cultural teachings,” said Wabun health director Angie Collins. “We also invite local Elders to take part in these gatherings and connect with youth to share their stories, their wisdom and the history of their communities.”

Canoe training was provided for the youth by Greg Robertson and Cole Bennett of Organic Boat Shop based in Beamsville, Ont.

The Wabun Youth Gathering originated through the vision and dream of Wabun Elder Thomas Saunders of Brunswick House First Nation who lobbied for a youth gathering. The first gathering was held in Mattagami First Nation in 2007 through the leadership of Jean Lemieux, a former health director of Matachewan First Nation.

Sadly, 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. It is directed by its respective chiefs.