Indigenous Wellbeing Gathering Conference 2025

At the Indigenous Wellbeing Gathering Conference 2025 on October 23-25 in West Kelowna, BC, Gage Sabattis, Clifford Ballantyne, Naomi Epp, and Hazel Fox-Recollet facilitated a workshop titled Fostering and Strengthening Connections: Building a National Indigenous Youth Mental Health and Wellness Network.

The session outlined the history of the network, its evolution, and our current initiatives. Elder Hazel Fox-Recollect gave teachings on medicine and supporting our youth. Participants then engaged in a collaborative discussion focused on supporting Indigenous youth mental health in urban contexts. This dialogue took place alongside a medicine pouch–making workshop. Insights from discussion will be used to guide our network in setting priorities that reflect and strengthen support for those serving Indigenous youth.

We brought medicines to share from each of our regions: Cedar from Eskasoni, Sage from Winnipeg, Tobacco from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, and Sweetgrass from Wiikwemkoong. Together, these medicines symbolized interconnection, reciprocity, and the collective spirit of the network.