Y2Y: A Good News Reconciliation Story

THERE IS MORE GOOD NEWS IN THE WORLD THAN BAD
As the SUV pulled into the grounds of Zajac Ranch just outside of Mission, B.C., I noticed several groups of young people sitting and chatting in the warm spring sun
These young people (ages 15-17), were from all across Canada. Fifty percent were Indigenous and 50% non-Indigenous. Sixty percent were female.
Until a few hours before only a few had met one another, though most had gone through some Indigenous cultural training online together.
They had also just played some ice breaker games and had a briefing about what to expect in the next week.

In addition to the young participants, there were also 16 adult helpers and 4 youth leaders who had previously participated in the 2023 Y2Y (Youth to Youth) programme. Notably, the helpers reflected a balanced mix of genders and Indigenous/non-Indigenous backgrounds, further underscoring the event’s diversity and inclusivity.
Everyone present was a part of HIP’s (Honouring Indigenous Peoples) second national Y2Y programme.
The Y2Y programme brings 25 Indigenous and 25 non-Indigenous youth together from across Canada for a week to live and learn from and about each other and their cultures using a mix of Indigenous teachings, many of which were about the land
The hope was the youth will go back to their communities, become leaders and share the stories/experiences and what they learned with their families, friends, schools and community
These 50 young people were chosen from 200 applicants and they did not need to pay any of the cost
The criteria to be chosen included being in school, 15-17 years old, geographic location, being involved in their community and their response about why they wanted to participate in this experience. References were helpful as well.
This criteria produced a very diverse mix of young people, some from reserves, some from cities, some who are already leaders and some who were very shy. This diversity turned out to be an important factor in what the young people learned and the types of interactions that took place.

HIP, which stands for Honouring Indigenous Peoples, is a coast to coast charitable organization* started 10 years ago.whose board is 50 % Indigenous and 50% Rotarians. The board also has an equitable gender balance. HIP’s focus is education, awareness and building of relationships.
All of the funding for the event was raised by HIP and came from foundations, business, Individuals and Rotary clubs.
Zajac Ranch is actually a camp designed for disabled people, located in a beautiful B.C. forested area. It turned out to be a perfect place to hold this week-long event.
The facilities were all together and included a dining room, meeting places, dorms, separate recreational facilities, swimming pool, gymnasium, games areas and as well as separate areas to give people space.
While the young people seemed quite happy at the time of my arrival, underneath most were a little nervous about what the week would bring. The apparent initial happiness, however, was nothing compared to the emotional outpouring of hugging and tears of happiness and sadness upon departure at the end of the week.
In between, the young people were exposed to a broad range of events, activities and experiences.

The programme included hearing Indigenous stories from elders, Indigenous games, making of rattles, language instruction, weaving, singing, and dancing using the rattles they had made, spiritual teachings and a visit to a Stolo cultural centre. They debriefed after each of the sessions. There was also considerable informal interaction.
Unfortunately, there was limited outdoor activity due to rain
There was, however, discussion about the environment. In fact, they were given a challenge initiated by the youth leaders of reducing their waste to as close to zero as possible. They responded by having 19 pounds of waste (0.24 lbs /person) and compost of 16 pounds (0.21 lbs per person). Pretty good for about 75 people in total over 6 days.
One very effective interaction which everyone participated in, was to give a small red pouch of tobacco we had been given to someone with whom you had not previously interacted, and have a short discussion.

I was fortunate to exchange mine with a very shy Indigenous girl (Karen)** who, because of her shyness, could not even ask a question. She finally did, asking if I had ever been to a pow wow, to which I said yes. She also asked if I had danced at the pow wow, which was also a yes.
I found she loved pow wows and dancing. We agreed to ask each other questions each day for the rest of the week, which we did
I also discovered she comes from a family of 7 children, and is the oldest but lives with her grandmother
Several of us noticed her participation increased every day, indicating she was beginning to feel more comfortable. When she went home she gave a talk to her class and is scheduled to speak to the local Rotary club – unthinkable before she came.
Another shy person, Henry,** found the courage to present a gift given to him by his grandmother to each of the presenters. The Indigenous practice of gift giving was an important learning for everyone.

One young non-Indigenous male, (Cleo),** was often seen sitting by himself drawing portraits. The portraits were exceptional, even though he had never had a lesson
While others listened, he drew. Many young people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, discovered this and greatly encouraged him. You could see his confidence and feeling of belonging increase almost by the hour.
One of the helpers on returning home will be working with his teachers and family to get him art lessons and possibly enroll in an art school
There is an Indigenous saying: “Everyone has a gift. Find out yours and use it to make peace.” He has found his gift and now…
The elder talks were mainly in the form of interactive stories. The initial speaker, Stephen Point, grew up close by, was a so-so student, did not like to read but was the first in his family to go to university.
Someone gave him a book about Clarence Darrow, the famous American lawyer. It so moved him that he decided to study law.
He became a lawyer, judge, First Nations Chief, professor and British Columbia’s first Indigenous Lt. Governor. After his term finished he became Chancellor of U.B.C. and now practices law, helping to reshape B.C.’s laws, including their environmental ones, and lobbying for greater Indigenous involvement.

His argument is Indigenous Peoples have cared for the land very successfully for centuries, in fact better than non-Indigenous peoples. Their knowledge has been passed down to the knowledge keepers
His mother, who is 96, is an internationally recognised knowledge keeper, and has knowledge passed down to her covering hundreds of years
His wife Gwen also told stories. She too was the first in her family to go to university, is an educator and has several degrees, including a Ph.D
She talked about the importance of working together on the environment, and the importance of knowing and being proud of who you are.
She also spoke of the spiritual strength of Indigenous women and difficulties faced by the Indigenous community during COVID.
Together they put on dozens of talks such as this to young people. It was their extended family who organized most of the programme with the local Stolo people.
Several of the helpers who were educators were amazed at how well they held the attention of the young people.

Phyllis Webstad, the originator of Orange Shirt Day, which has been expanded into a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Sept 30th), spoke. Her story is well-known. She went to residential school at age 6, had her Orange t-shirt given to her by her grandmother taken from her and never returned. The orange shirt is a symbol and reminder to the whole country of residential schools.
The young people sat there in their orange shirts in total silence, except for those young people leaving because of the pain created by the story. We had people present to work with these people
Most of the young Indigenous people had family members who were in a residential school. In fact, one person’s orange shirt read, “My Grandfather was in a residential school.”
Peter Stone, a Dene who lives in a small community on the B.C./Yukon border, told stories of his life. The most poignant one was not being able to read until the age of 26
Because there was so much mining, oil and lumbering activity in this area, many, including Peter, determined they had to learn to read so they could deal with what was happening.
Peter provided a list of books.

All of the speakers mingled with and shared stories with the young people. They all loved it!
While the stories and teachings were Indigenous, many of the Indigenous people did not know them.
They could also identify with the elder’s stories and what they went through.
It should be noted the young were always respectful.
On our last day we went to Whistler, not to ski, but to visit the Squamish Cultural Centre. *** One of the hereditary chiefs spoke about their culture, the mountains, the water, the fish and boats often used to welcome people
We had a final dinner which included everyone dancing at a Squamish reserve in North Vancouver

Not everything went perfectly. There were a few small injuries dealt with by our safety people. We mistakenly did not provide a ceremonial fire where people could just go out and talk. Some of the young men asked if they could build a fire. We obliged. They thanked us for listening and acting
The information in the talks upset some, however, it was an important learning experience.
The most significant measure of the impact of the week came from the young people themselves.
Here are a few of their comments:

1) I learned to think about my own actions and views.
2) I gained some new friends and developed relationships with a diversity of people both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Indigenous.
3) I learned I can be a leader.
4) I learned I want to make some changes in my community.
5) My grandmother was in a residential school. Meeting Phyllis was my highlight. I also made some new best friends for life – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – from many diverse backgrounds.
6) I do not want to leave this place.
7) I was treated like a real human being. I rediscovered there is still kindness and people including white people who care.
8) 100% said they would recommend the week to others.

Next year the Y2Y gathering will be in Nova Scotia with the focus on land based education, specifically, “Two Eyed Seeing.” (Putting the best of Indigenous and non-Indigenous land based ideas and practices together, with the environment being a common language for all).
In the meantime, all will be connected by a chat line. Videos will be available for all to see and use and stories will be told
The final moments saw much hugging and tears of sadness and joy from dozens of participants, including the helpers moving the needle of reconciliation forward for all who participated.
Till next time,
Chris Snyder, Climate Optimist
Email: snyderchris74@gmail.com
Stories of Good News and Hope: https://chrissnyder.makeanimpact.ca/
* HIP is a stand alone registered charity with CRA. However, Indigenous peoples do not wish to be viewed as receiving charity. They want to work together as full partners and that is what HIP does
** Not their real names
*** The centre was funded by money from the Vancouver Olympics. The Squamish submitted a bid for an upcoming Olympics but later withdrew it.
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