Wabun Youth Gathering celebrates culture and traditions – North Bay Nugget

Jul 29, 2024

‘I get to learn about my culture and have fun,’ camper says

The 17th Annual Wabun Youth Gathering was held in Mattagami First Nation in a weeklong event from July 15 to 19 for 38 First Nation youths. The event was organized by the Wabun Tribal Council Health Department with the support of the tribal council’s member First Nations.

The annual event originated through the vision and dream of Wabun Elder Thomas Saunders of Brunswick House FN who lobbied for a youth gathering. The first gathering was held in Mattagami FN in 2007 through the leadership of past Health Director Jean Lemieux of Matachewan FN. Sadly, Elder Saunders passed on before his dream came to be.

“It’s important for us to keep this event going because our young people look forward to it every summer. They get to build life-long friendships and stay connected to other youth and adults from the other communities. It’s a time for all of us to learn about our Indigenous heritage and to connect with the land. They get to learn from other each other and we adults get a chance to learn from the experience as well,” said Josee Forget, Wabun Regional Crisis Coordinator and event organizer.