Land-Based

Greetings and Brief Introduction

For the Land Based Department, we are in charge of organizing seasonal activities throughout the year that focus on reconnecting with the land, culture, and traditional teachings.

Each month, we develop a calendar of events for Case Managers to share with families, so they can attend and participate.

Case Managers identify which families are interested and help communicate what participants need to bring.

We have a wonderful team of land-based workers and support staff to help with these activities and submit monthly reports to Jordan's Principle Coordinator.

Land-Based Component

During the warmer months, the program includes gardening and land care.

Children and youth help plant and maintain gardens, while designated gardeners ensure the area is well cared for throughout the year.

The goal is to build a strong connection to the land — through hands-on learning and shared responsibility.

Schools are also invited to participate through a large greenhouse project and a big field of corn and vegetables, encouraging community involvement and sustainable growth.

Our vision for this department focuses on Indigenous learning, culture, and traditional practices, including:

• Hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering food and medicine
• Promoting holistic health — spiritual, physical, and cultural well-being
• Recognizing the land as a teacher — a source of healing, learning, and connection

Land-based gatherings encourage hands-on learning, community connection, and intergenerational knowledge transfer, ensuring cultural teachings are preserved for future generations.

Seasonal Teachings & Activities

Spring: Goose and duck hunting, Seagull eggs gathering, Spring feast

Summer: Fishing (nets and rods), Medicine picking, camping, and traditional games, Rat root harvesting, berry picking, gardening, Life skills teaching, drum making, sturgeon fishing, Summer feast

Fall: Wood gathering, moose hunting, berry picking, Water monitoring, cultural crafts (like mitt making), Goose and Duck hunting

Winter: Ice fishing, trapping, and hunting, Winter survival skills: fire making, shelter building, and animal tracking, Rabbit snaring and camping.

Each season offers valuable teachings and strengthens community ties through cultural experiences.

For Equipment & Infrastructure, we currently have Tall boats, trailers, 9 quads and 2 toboggans. We are hoping to get more additional equipment, more storage space as well as safer facilities for the wellbeing of the children

With this, it creates a strong focus on training youth in proper tool use, maintenance, and stewardship, especially for seasonal harvesting and preservation.

For every group of children that will visit the reserve, we have a team of staff to accompany each group, whether they will harvest, garden, moose hunting, etc. We are looking to implement this program with 3 teams of around 10 staff each. Each team will include an Elder, Knowledge Keepers and Facilitators.

In summary, Land-Based Services connect families and youth to the land through learning, culture, and community. It’s about healing, teaching, and growing together, while preserving Indigenous knowledge and traditions for the next generation.