Competition test the mettle of Gitxsan reps

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In preparation for next year's 10th anniversary of the Kispiox Rediscovery program, a contingent from the Gitxsan Nation traveled to Calgary on the Labour Day weekend to take part in the Ghost River Rediscovery program's 10th anniversary celebrations. Doreen Angus, the co-ordinator of the Kispiox program, wanted to see how others in the Rediscovery family commemorated the momentous milestone.

Rediscovery draws on the strength of Indigenous traditions to empower young people to discover the natural world through outdoor educational programs and cultural training. For its anniversary, Ghost River Rediscovery organized a series of activities that showcased the best of what the Rediscovery programs have to offer.

There was the usual storytelling and Aboriginal crafting activities scheduled, but the weekend's real excitement came from a competition that tested knowledge in the area of wilderness survival.

Sons and daughters of the Gitskan Nation-Roy Wilson, hereditary chief of the Wilps Luus House, Caprice Johnson, Rosaline Starr and Robert Doane, a recent graduate from the University of Calgary-took part.

The first skills station gave the team 10 minutes to build a fire and boil a small pot of water. One station had the groups build a tarp shelter that would keep it dry.

One of the most important tests for Starr came at the first aid station, she said. In this competition, the group, walking through the woods, happened upon a person who had fallen and was injured. The team had to assess the injury and provide first aid. Then they had to transport the victim to safety.

Doane went the extra mile in an activity that had the group protect its food from the area's bear population. The goal was to toss a rope over the branch of a tree and raise a bag of food a minimum of 12 feet high and four feet out. The group got the height right, but the distance from the tree trunk proved difficult.

That's when Doane leaped into action and powered up the tree to make the adjustment. He was cheered on, not only by his team members, but those gathered at the other stations nearby.

Doane is heading to Bolivia for a seven-month internship to help Rediscovery International set up camps in that country. He said the skills competition exercised the mind and body while it encouraged team-work and achievement.

Doane fit naturally into the leadership role of the group, but he was mindful of the contributions of the others, particularly Wilson, who often stood back until he was asked for help.

Doane said young people are sometimes quick to action and brash in their approach, whereas the elder members of a group draw on years of experience. He said they should be consulted and respected for their depth of knowledge.

"The moment you fail to listen, you are not allowing yourself to learn," said Doane, who often looked to Wilson during the skills competition for advice.

Of the many comments made about the Rediscovery organization and their programs, the one most repeated was that taking part in Rediscovery activities changed the lives of participants forever.

Russian-born Tatiana Holmke took part in a week-long camp with Ghost River Rediscovery and was touched in a profound way, she said. She's cultivated friendships with Elders, rekindled her relationship with nature, has grown to understand herself better and built stronger ties with her son, who also took part in the camp. She now volunteers her time with the organization and was on site to cook, clean and care for the Elders during the anniversary weekend.

Johnson works as a youth counselor in the Kispiox program and was the Gitxsan team captain during the skills competition. She too said the program changes lives.

"Drums make a big difference," she said. It's really good to hear our youth playing and singing our songs. It's awesome."

The Rediscovery program in Kispiox was started in response to difficulties the young people were having in the commnity, said Angus. Lack of respect to teachers in the schools and other people in the area, and a fear of where that would lead, prompted a community-wide consultation process where residents could voice their concerns. Out of that process came Rediscovery, a program that has it's roots in Haida Gwaii, but was tailored to meet the needs of the Gitxsan nation.

Now Kispiox Rediscovery runs four camps a year with 15 young people participating in each camp. Angus said it is having a real effect in the community.

"One child at a time. If that's how it goes, that how it goes," she said.