This past summer, the Metlakatla Indian Community used their 2017 Teen Suicide Prevention grant to run a Youth to Elder Project. During the five day process, the 48+ youth and elder participants jarred 2,170 lbs of sockeye salmon resulting in 90 cases of jarred salmon that the youth redistributed to the community. The youth also mixed subsistence activities with trainings from the local Wil la Mootk Behavioral Health Team. These trainings, including fun activities like canoe races and scavenger hunts, emphasized the importance of native values, team work, and community.
The project was such a success, Metlakatla plans to make the Youth to Elder Project an annual occurrence. However, the most important outcome of this project was reminding youth of their vital importance to their community.
Photos courtesy of Angeline Dundas
