Dec.22, 2025
The Healthy Horizons Foundation (HHF) supported Northern Youth Leadership (NYL), based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, with a $10,000 grant for its Youth and Elders Harvesting Program. The initiative enabled youth aged 12 to 18 to connect with Elders and learn traditional harvesting, medicine-making, and cultural practices first-hand.
From October 2024 to September 2025, the program aimed to bring northern Indigenous Youth closer to their traditional ways of life through land-based living and healing, and by strengthening intergenerational connections. Between July and September, three medicine walks were organized, allowing 25 youth to closely engage with seven Elders or Knowledge Holders from Yellowknife, Behchoko, and nearby communities.
Pictured above: Cheque presentation to MakeWay Charitable Society – Northern Youth Leadership (NYL)
During these guided walks, Elders shared lessons about safe harvesting practices, identifying uncontaminated areas, and responsible use of medicines. Participants learned how to prepare natural remedies such as salves, teas, and body butters and Elders shared traditional plant names, personal stories, and nature-centred healing practices. These sessions also expanded on food sovereignty, mental wellness and language revitalization — helping youth perceive land as a source of healing, balance, and identity.
Pictured above: Youth participants engaging in land-based learning during a guided medicine walk.
With HHF’s support, the program strengthened intergenerational learning and cultural revitalization. These transformative learning experiences not only provided mentorship but also instilled a sense of cultural pride and responsibility among youth, bolstering their desire to carry this knowledge forward to future generations. Elders took joy in sharing their wisdom, inspiring youth to reconnect with the land and ensuring cultural knowledge continues to be shared and celebrated.
The Healthy Horizons Foundation, established by The North West Company, is proud to empower youth in northern and Indigenous communities to build strong, healthy lifestyles through grants that support community-led programs focused on Health & Well-being, Culture & Education, and Nutrition & Food Security.