Latest news with #ArcticInspirationPrize
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Tetlit Gwich'in to film climate change documentary on moose hunt
Hunters, Elders and youth are organizing a fall moose hunt and will be filming the expedition with the help of a cash injection from the Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP). 'Wisdom from the Water' was awarded $30,000 during the May 13 AIP ceremony in Ottawa, one of 12 teams to receive a prize from the overall $3.7-million annual charitable event. 'It's still sinking in,' said Tetlit Gwich'in Chief Elizabeth Wright. 'We're very excited. 'The youth will have this documented for further use, so that other youth who are not on the trip will be able to see it.' Wright said the idea came out of last year's fall moose hunt, where a group of 15 youth joined hunters, Elders and other mentors as they sourced their quarry over a five-day excursion. The adventure was so popular organizers decided to build on it. Now, the plan is to not only harvest a moose, but for the youth to film the effort. But more than that, they will also document how a warming climate is transforming the Peel River canyon and will interview Elders about the changes they have witnessed over their lives. Wright said the goal is to not only help youth reconnect with the land and their culture but to also acquire some modern work skills in documentary film-making. 'We're going to do a documentary talking about the impacts climate change has on the land and the wildlife in the Peel watershed,' she said. 'The Elders noticed over time the caribou don't go into certain areas anymore and birds are coming earlier. 'We want the youth to do the whole documentation. They'll be taking pictures and video, but also they're going to be learning about climate change. We want the Elders to share what they've seen that's different. Whether its the landscape, whether it's the channel in the Peel river or the migratory routes of the animals we depend on.' Planning is still at an early stage, but Wright said the goal is to do an eight to 10 day trip in September, to allow for more people to get involved if they have scheduling conflicts. She said the outing is open to as many youth as are interested and participants from other Mackenzie and Beaufort Delta communities are also welcome. The trip will be by motorboat going up river. She expressed her gratitude to Margaret Gordon for sponsoring the bid for the Arctic Inspiration Prize and thanked the project's support staff, as well as the Gwich'in Tribal Council. 'It's very humbling,' she said. 'It was a community project — and it was the community that won.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A Whitehorse high school now has an Njel. That sets a precedent, vice principal says
There was a time when Njels were everywhere across the land. "These are the types of houses we would have lived in," said Harold Johnson, a Southern Tutchone knowledge keeper. "There was [sic] towns, villages, even cities." Now the traditional, full-sized dwelling stands tall once more, behind Porter Creek Secondary School in Whitehorse. It's at the centre of a camp called Ǹtsǟw Chù Kets'edän Kų̀, which means "the learning house at Wild Rhubarb Creek" — the original name of the area. It's here all students will experience first-hand the transfer of traditional knowledge. That includes stories from Elders and land-based learning like hide tanning. Hundreds attended a ceremony hosted by the school Wednesday, with speakers saying the Njel deepens and solidifies cultural connections — both at the school and the community at large. Funded by the Arctic Inspiration Prize and the Yukon government, Johnson and Meta Williams designed and built the Njel. Students helped. With the exception of a massive cedar log from Vancouver Island at the top, the house is built mostly of local spruce, the boughs of which cover the floor. "To learn like this in a traditional structure is so much more [beneficial]," Johnson said. "You're not explaining how a house looks, you're actually in it. Right off the bat, [the students] totally get it, you know? "There's no words that I can say. This house speaks for itself, basically. You just gotta see it." 'If you live here, you need to learn about living here' Vice-principal Nicole Cross said the urban traditional camp sets a high bar, and at a school where at least 40 per cent of youth are First Nations. "I think what this means for the school is the ability to be able to truly incorporate cultural learning on a scale that isn't precedented really," she said. "We want to make sure we're honouring that knowledge and that culture." The Njel provides a space for cultural teachings and ceremony while making place-based learning accessible to everyone. "Where are students going to learn about it if not on the land, where it comes from?" she said. "This is a traditional building of this land. "If you live here, you need to learn about living here." As for what instruction will look like, Cross said to start — teachings about the Njel. "What is its meaning, why is it here, how was it built, and its traditional uses," she said. "Then any kind of learning. It's the space itself that is part of the magic. It's a living thing in itself." Cross hopes students from other schools can experience the Njel too, and that elders come by on a regular basis. "It's a bit of a scaffolded situation," she said, noting students continue to work on the building and take part in a nearby hide camp, which is on this week. "When I say the students are driving it, they're driving it."
Hamilton Spectator
21-05-2025
- Science
- Hamilton Spectator
Gwich'in hunting project nets Arctic Inspiration Prize
A Gwich'in youth project to document how the Peel Watershed is changing from climate change and a youth dog sledding club have been awarded $100,000 through the Arctic Inspiration Prize. Wisdom From the Watershed aims to connect Gwich'in youth to hunters and Elders as they document how wildlife and flora have changed over the past decades. 'It's very emotional,' said Eileen Kay as she accepted the award. 'I'm really happy and excited. Wisdom from the Watershed was created from the growing interest of our youth, a project on our traditional homelands in a place that we, the Tetlit Gwich'in, have existed for generations. 'Our project will provide an opportunity and environment for our younger generation to return to these places and connect with their culture. To learn how to traverse the land and the water, develop the skills necessary for survival and continue to pass on our stories.' Kay added the effects seen so far include changing landscape and migratory patterns of animals. A group of 20 hunters will take seven youth from Chief Julius School in Teetl'it Zheh — also known as Fort McPherson — through the watershed as they introduce them to Elders living on the land. The Elders will then tell the delegation of the changes they've seen over their lifetimes. 'It is our hope that those who participate in our ongoing fall camp will gain the knowledge and skills of our people and carry forward these as they become our future leaders,' said Kay, who thanked Margaret Gordon for nominating the project for the prize. All of this will be filmed and produced into a short documentary at the end. The aim is to ' broaden the discussion about climate change in Canada's North' and the team behind the project consists of Brandon Firth (Team Leader), Aiden Kunnizzi, Edwin Kay, Rylan Firth, Lucas Francis, Darius Keevik, Jordan Stewart, Dakota Koe, Phillip Kay, Alice Vittrekwa, George Vittrekwa, Eileen Kay and Tony Devlin. Also earning a $100,000 youth prize was the Uniaraqtuq Youth Dog sledding club. The club teaches youth both Gwich'in and Inuvialuit learning while on the land through the traditional way of transport. The funding will go to film a documentary on the club to showcase the rich history of both the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit peoples. 'Our goal is to increase Northern sovereignty,' said Brooke-Lyn Jade . 'We will guide our nation using language, hunting, trapping and dog sledding to build a future where youth can embrace traditions and build a strong relationship to culture. 'We have been taught fragments of our culture through stories and textbooks. However, nothing will compare to the knowledge youth gain from being on the land.' Over $3.7 million was given out to 12 teams on May 13 during the Arctic Inspiration Prize ceremony in Ottawa. The ceremony featured performances by Kathy Snowball of Nunavik performing L'amour, Deantha Edmunds and emerging Nunavut singer Princess Autut performing an operatic version of Nuliajuk, the Inuit guardian of sea animals and a visual circus and musical performance telling the story of a Dene Hunter witnessing an animal transformation.
Cision Canada
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
/C O R R E C T I O N -- Rideau Hall Foundation/ Français English Français
In the news release, Arctic Inspiration Prize awards over $3.7 million to 12 teams leading change across the North, issued 13-May-2025 by Rideau Hall Foundation over CNW, we are advised by the organization that the quote in paragraph 5 was incorrectly attributed. The complete, corrected release follows: Arctic Inspiration Prize awards over $3.7 million to 12 teams leading change across the North OTTAWA, ON, May 13, 2025 /CNW/ - Twelve Northern-led teams were celebrated today as laureates of the 2025 Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP), receiving over $3.7 million in recognition of their bold, community-driven projects. The awards ceremony took place this afternoon at the Rogers Centre (formerly the Shaw Centre) in Ottawa, where laureates were honoured alongside powerful performances by Northern artists under the artistic direction of Sylvia Cloutier. Her Excellency The Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, opened the celebration, joined by leaders and partners from across Inuit Nunangat, the territories, and the North. Honoured guests included Premier P.J. Akeeagok; Premier Ranj Pillai; Senators Nancy Karetak-Lindell and Margaret Dawn Anderson; Minister Pamela Gross, Natan Obed (President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami), Jeremy Tunraluk (President, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.), Johannes Lampe (President, Nunatsiavut), and Duane Smith (President, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation). Their presence reflected the pan-Northern support and shared commitment to empowering community-led solutions. "This year marks the 13th anniversary of the Arctic Inspiration Prize — and every year we continue to see the deep and lasting impact these projects have on Northern communities," said Wally Schumann, Chair of the AIP Charitable Trust. "These are not one-off ideas. They are long-term, Northern-led solutions that strengthen language, culture, wellness, and opportunity. They are rooted in self-determination and guided by the people who live and lead in the North." This year's largest prize — $1 million — was awarded to Bibia Nàtsät Ku: A Movement to Reclaim Yukon First Nations Midwifery and Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, a groundbreaking initiative to establish a culturally rooted birth and reproductive health centre in Whitehorse. The Ku (house) will be led by Yukon First Nations and offer Elder-guided, traditional and Western care for Indigenous families across the region. "We know our families thrive when they have access to safe, culturally connected care — and that includes bringing birth back to our communities. This prize is not just recognition — it's a turning point. It means we can begin building a house of care that honours our ways of knowing, our languages, and our futures. This will not only transform sexual and reproductive health care delivery in the Yukon, but will also influence systemic change across the Arctic — helping to shape safer, more culturally appropriate care for Indigenous communities throughout the North." - Executive Director Shadelle Chambers from Council of Yukon First Nations. The 2025 celebration featured a three-part performance reflecting seasonal cycles and traditional knowledge. Highlights included the story of a Dene hunter witnessing an animal transformation on the land, told through circus and music; a powerful operatic interpretation of Nuliajuk, the Inuit guardian of sea animals, performed by Deantha Edmunds and emerging Nunavut singer Princess Autut; and a spring finale with Kathy Snowball of Nunavik performing L'amour, honouring light, renewal, and the environment. A full list of the 2025 laureates and project details follows below. About the Arctic Inspiration Prize The Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP) is Canada's largest annual prize, celebrating and enabling Northern-led achievements across the fields of education; health and wellbeing; culture, arts and language; science and traditional knowledge; climate change; food security; and the economy. Each year, the AIP awards: one $1 million prize, up to four prizes of up to $500,000 each, and up to seven youth prizes of up to $100,000 each. The AIP is owned and governed by the northern-led AIP Charitable Trust and is supported by a broad network of partners from the North and South. The Rideau Hall Foundation is proud to serve as the southern operational support partner of the Arctic Inspiration Prize. 2025 Arctic Inspiration Prize Laureates $1 Million Category Bibia Nàtsät Ku: A Movement to Reclaim Yukon First Nations Midwifery and Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (Yukon) Amount: $1,000,000 Led by Yukon First Nations, this initiative will establish a Ku (house) in Whitehorse offering Indigenous-led midwifery and Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (SRHC) services. Grounded in Elder knowledge and workforce development, it will reshape care delivery in the Yukon and beyond. This project aims to create a culturally connected, Elder-guided care environment, rooted in traditional knowledge and Indigenous values, which will serve as a model for other regions across the North. Learn more Up to $500,000 Category (AIP) Ajunngittutit (Nunavut) Amount: $500,000 An Inuit-led alternative education program for neurodiverse and marginalized youth by Pirurqatigiit Resource Centre. It combines Inuktut revitalization, land-based learning, and hands-on skills to create inclusive environments that support neurodiverse youth in achieving their full potential. Learn more Baker Lake Community Diabetes Prevention and Nutrition Program (Nunavut) Amount: $223,000 A community-based initiative to combat rising Type 2 diabetes through traditional Inuit practices, health education, and local empowerment. This project emphasizes the importance of community-driven solutions and culturally relevant approaches to addressing chronic health challenges. Learn more Kitikmeot Community Elder Training Program (Nunavut) Amount: $500,000 Supports the next generation of Elders in Inuinnait communities through mentorship, cultural education, and leadership rooted in traditional values. This program aims to build leadership skills in younger generations, preserving Inuit knowledge and traditions. Learn more Reviving Inuit Cultural and Traditional Values (Nunavik) Amount: $425,000 Led by the Qimutjuit Men's Association, this project brings youth and Elders together through harvesting camps to address food insecurity and strengthen cultural practices. The program focuses on reviving traditional skills, promoting food sovereignty, and fostering intergenerational relationships. Learn more Cheko – Youth Empowerment Project (Northwest Territories) Amount: $500,000 Based in Yellowknife, Cheko provides Indigenous youth with land-based learning, mentorship, and entrepreneurship skills to build careers and self-determined futures. The project's goal is to empower young people with the tools they need to thrive in both their cultural and professional lives. Learn more Youth Category (up to $100,000 each) Traditional Sewing and Beading Program (Nunavut) Amount: $90,000 Youth-led workshops guided by Elders to teach traditional skills and pass on ancestral knowledge while building connection and creativity. These workshops promote cultural pride and provide youth with important life skills while nurturing artistic expression. Learn more Uniaraqtuq: A Youth Dog Sledding Club in the Beaufort Delta (Inuvialuit Settlement Region) Amount: $100,000 Combines Inuvialuktun and Gwich'in language learning, wellness, and culture through dog sledding. A documentary will follow the club's journey, providing an opportunity to share the rich cultural history and language of the Inuvialuit and Gwich'in communities with broader audiences. Learn more Dehcho Youth Energy Action Council (DYEAC) – Empowering Future Leaders in Clean Energy (Northwest Territories) Amount: $100,000 Trains youth in clean energy leadership by integrating Dene knowledge and technical skills to advance culturally aligned climate solutions. The project focuses on creating sustainable energy solutions while empowering youth to lead the way in addressing climate change. Learn more Empowering Northern Voices: A Youth Gathering for Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut (Pan-Northern) Amount: $100,000 A pan-territorial youth gathering focused on advocacy, leadership, and community-based solutions on mental health, education, and the environment. This gathering aims to amplify youth voices across the North and equip them with the tools they need to advocate for their communities. Learn more The Northern Laughter Movement (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut) Amount: $100,000 A wellness and leadership program that uses humour and storytelling to build confidence, connection, and healing among Northern youth. This initiative harnesses the power of laughter and community to promote mental health and resilience. Learn more Wisdom from the Watershed (Inuvialuit Settlement Region) Amount: $100,000 A documentary project following young Gwich'in hunters in the Peel Watershed to document climate change through intergenerational learning and land-based stories. The project seeks to capture the ongoing impact of climate change on traditional hunting practices while preserving cultural heritage. Learn more
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
/C O R R E C T I O N -- Rideau Hall Foundation/
In the news release, Arctic Inspiration Prize awards over $3.7 million to 12 teams leading change across the North, issued 13-May-2025 by Rideau Hall Foundation over CNW, we are advised by the organization that the quote in paragraph 5 was incorrectly attributed. The complete, corrected release follows: OTTAWA, ON, May 13, 2025 /CNW/ - Twelve Northern-led teams were celebrated today as laureates of the 2025 Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP), receiving over $3.7 million in recognition of their bold, community-driven projects. The awards ceremony took place this afternoon at the Rogers Centre (formerly the Shaw Centre) in Ottawa, where laureates were honoured alongside powerful performances by Northern artists under the artistic direction of Sylvia Cloutier. Her Excellency The Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, opened the celebration, joined by leaders and partners from across Inuit Nunangat, the territories, and the North. Honoured guests included Premier P.J. Akeeagok; Premier Ranj Pillai; Senators Nancy Karetak-Lindell and Margaret Dawn Anderson; Minister Pamela Gross, Natan Obed (President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami), Jeremy Tunraluk (President, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.), Johannes Lampe (President, Nunatsiavut), and Duane Smith (President, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation). Their presence reflected the pan-Northern support and shared commitment to empowering community-led solutions. "This year marks the 13th anniversary of the Arctic Inspiration Prize — and every year we continue to see the deep and lasting impact these projects have on Northern communities," said Wally Schumann, Chair of the AIP Charitable Trust. "These are not one-off ideas. They are long-term, Northern-led solutions that strengthen language, culture, wellness, and opportunity. They are rooted in self-determination and guided by the people who live and lead in the North." This year's largest prize — $1 million — was awarded to Bibia Nàtsät Ku: A Movement to Reclaim Yukon First Nations Midwifery and Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, a groundbreaking initiative to establish a culturally rooted birth and reproductive health centre in Whitehorse. The Ku (house) will be led by Yukon First Nations and offer Elder-guided, traditional and Western care for Indigenous families across the region. "We know our families thrive when they have access to safe, culturally connected care — and that includes bringing birth back to our communities. This prize is not just recognition — it's a turning point. It means we can begin building a house of care that honours our ways of knowing, our languages, and our futures. This will not only transform sexual and reproductive health care delivery in the Yukon, but will also influence systemic change across the Arctic — helping to shape safer, more culturally appropriate care for Indigenous communities throughout the North." - Executive Director Shadelle Chambers from Council of Yukon First Nations. The 2025 celebration featured a three-part performance reflecting seasonal cycles and traditional knowledge. Highlights included the story of a Dene hunter witnessing an animal transformation on the land, told through circus and music; a powerful operatic interpretation of Nuliajuk, the Inuit guardian of sea animals, performed by Deantha Edmunds and emerging Nunavut singer Princess Autut; and a spring finale with Kathy Snowball of Nunavik performing L'amour, honouring light, renewal, and the environment. A full list of the 2025 laureates and project details follows below. About the Arctic Inspiration Prize The Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP) is Canada's largest annual prize, celebrating and enabling Northern-led achievements across the fields of education; health and wellbeing; culture, arts and language; science and traditional knowledge; climate change; food security; and the economy. Each year, the AIP awards: one $1 million prize, up to four prizes of up to $500,000 each, and up to seven youth prizes of up to $100,000 each. The AIP is owned and governed by the northern-led AIP Charitable Trust and is supported by a broad network of partners from the North and South. The Rideau Hall Foundation is proud to serve as the southern operational support partner of the Arctic Inspiration Prize. 2025 Arctic Inspiration Prize Laureates $1 Million Category Bibia Nàtsät Ku: A Movement to Reclaim Yukon First Nations Midwifery and Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (Yukon) Amount: $1,000,000 Led by Yukon First Nations, this initiative will establish a Ku (house) in Whitehorse offering Indigenous-led midwifery and Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (SRHC) services. Grounded in Elder knowledge and workforce development, it will reshape care delivery in the Yukon and beyond. This project aims to create a culturally connected, Elder-guided care environment, rooted in traditional knowledge and Indigenous values, which will serve as a model for other regions across the North. Learn more Up to $500,000 Category (AIP) Ajunngittutit (Nunavut) Amount: $500,000 An Inuit-led alternative education program for neurodiverse and marginalized youth by Pirurqatigiit Resource Centre. It combines Inuktut revitalization, land-based learning, and hands-on skills to create inclusive environments that support neurodiverse youth in achieving their full potential. Learn more Baker Lake Community Diabetes Prevention and Nutrition Program (Nunavut) Amount: $223,000 A community-based initiative to combat rising Type 2 diabetes through traditional Inuit practices, health education, and local empowerment. This project emphasizes the importance of community-driven solutions and culturally relevant approaches to addressing chronic health challenges. Learn more Kitikmeot Community Elder Training Program (Nunavut) Amount: $500,000 Supports the next generation of Elders in Inuinnait communities through mentorship, cultural education, and leadership rooted in traditional values. This program aims to build leadership skills in younger generations, preserving Inuit knowledge and traditions. Learn more Reviving Inuit Cultural and Traditional Values (Nunavik) Amount: $425,000 Led by the Qimutjuit Men's Association, this project brings youth and Elders together through harvesting camps to address food insecurity and strengthen cultural practices. The program focuses on reviving traditional skills, promoting food sovereignty, and fostering intergenerational relationships. Learn more Cheko – Youth Empowerment Project (Northwest Territories) Amount: $500,000 Based in Yellowknife, Cheko provides Indigenous youth with land-based learning, mentorship, and entrepreneurship skills to build careers and self-determined futures. The project's goal is to empower young people with the tools they need to thrive in both their cultural and professional lives. Learn more Youth Category (up to $100,000 each) Traditional Sewing and Beading Program (Nunavut) Amount: $90,000 Youth-led workshops guided by Elders to teach traditional skills and pass on ancestral knowledge while building connection and creativity. These workshops promote cultural pride and provide youth with important life skills while nurturing artistic expression. Learn more Uniaraqtuq: A Youth Dog Sledding Club in the Beaufort Delta (Inuvialuit Settlement Region) Amount: $100,000 Combines Inuvialuktun and Gwich'in language learning, wellness, and culture through dog sledding. A documentary will follow the club's journey, providing an opportunity to share the rich cultural history and language of the Inuvialuit and Gwich'in communities with broader audiences. Learn more Dehcho Youth Energy Action Council (DYEAC) – Empowering Future Leaders in Clean Energy (Northwest Territories) Amount: $100,000 Trains youth in clean energy leadership by integrating Dene knowledge and technical skills to advance culturally aligned climate solutions. The project focuses on creating sustainable energy solutions while empowering youth to lead the way in addressing climate change. Learn more Empowering Northern Voices: A Youth Gathering for Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut (Pan-Northern) Amount: $100,000 A pan-territorial youth gathering focused on advocacy, leadership, and community-based solutions on mental health, education, and the environment. This gathering aims to amplify youth voices across the North and equip them with the tools they need to advocate for their communities. Learn more The Northern Laughter Movement (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut) Amount: $100,000 A wellness and leadership program that uses humour and storytelling to build confidence, connection, and healing among Northern youth. This initiative harnesses the power of laughter and community to promote mental health and resilience. Learn more Wisdom from the Watershed (Inuvialuit Settlement Region) Amount: $100,000 A documentary project following young Gwich'in hunters in the Peel Watershed to document climate change through intergenerational learning and land-based stories. The project seeks to capture the ongoing impact of climate change on traditional hunting practices while preserving cultural heritage. Learn more SOURCE Rideau Hall Foundation View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
