TSI Youth Representative Update — Kyle Risby

TSI Youth Representative Update

Kyle Risby

TSI Youth Representative

Summer as the Tahltan Youth Advisor on the Tahltan Stewardship Initiative (TSI) took me to Tahltan Territory and beyond. I travelled with Youth to Toronto as a chaperone to the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conference. While in Toronto, the Youth and I took in the city’s museums, the Hockey Hall of Fame, the CN Tower, President Day’s keynote speaking event, and a Blue Jay’s game with Skeena Resources. I too represented Tahltan at the Indigenous Partner’s Success Showcase in Vancouver where I saw successful partnerships building the Canadian economy and the importance of relations and storytelling. I finished my summer north in Tahltan Territory, where I explored new places and learned from Tahltans and our Elders about land stewardship and their concerns for future generations.

Our TSI Elder Representative, David Rattray, told me at the very start of the project that I had to connect with Tahltan land by learning from Tahltans on the land.

In June, I came into the Territory to participate in a TSI team retreat at Bear Paw Lodge. During this retreat we made drums and played hand games while connecting as a team, enjoying meals, and discussing the Tahltan Stewardship Initiative. On our last day, David Rattray facilitated a sweat beside the lake and I practiced my storytelling with our team. I shared the story of “The Blind Man and The Loon”, who made a deal that gave the Loon its white collar. I shared stories of “How Raven Taught Tahltans to Catch and Preserve Salmon”, and "How Raven Made Lakes by Making a Deal with the Snipe Bird." I believe our stories can help express our worldview in our decision-making, policies, and law that shape our Tahltan experience.

After our retreat, I facilitated a day meeting with our Elders at their retreat before the Annual General Assembly (AGA). Here I retold the stories and listened to our Elders share stories about our deep relationship with Tahltan land. Listening to the stories from Elders, I learned Tahltans’ relationship with the land is powerful and it filled me with pride to experience and listen to our Elders share personal stories of the land and relations.

After the adventures of the AGA, I went out for a paddle with friends to Cascade Falls and began taking in Tahltan Territory’s natural beauty. I was lucky enough to catch a fish and enjoy laughs with friends while paddling to the falls.

After the AGA, I went to Telegraph and fish camp where I had a blast! Witnessing Tahltans pull nets and harvest fish, I could feel the love and joy the salmon brought to our people’s spirits. I spent time at different fish camps connecting with families and listening to their land-related concerns for future generations and stewardship desires. During my time at fish camp, I was put to work helping pull nets, clean fish, cut wood for smoking, and other related tasks for camp to prepare fish for canning or inaguga. I fell in love with fish camp and the energy our salmon bring our community.

Afterwards, I participated in discussions with Leadership from Iskut and Telegraph regarding our TSI. Our community made clear from the Elders’ retreat, the community dialogue at the AGA, and through our local Leadership, that water stewardship is important to our Nation and our way of life. Water has become a natural discussion for our TSI team, and I continued to learn about the importance of water in Tahltan Territory by learning on the land. I spent time backpack hiking around Tahltan Territory, learning from local hunters and their relationship to the land. After walking around and seeing the reality of our glaciers and the different water flows impacted by climate change, it has become clear our water will be a driving factor in the health of our wildlife, fisheries, and land. Ultimately, our traditional Tahltan uses of the land, such as fishing, hunting and gathering, and all other aspects of culture and heritage, are all connected to water. Water stewardship and governance are not only connected to our culture and heritage, but as our old stories of Raven and Dene explain, there is a relationship between water and the animal and aquatic friends that are our family.

Learning, I believe, requires relationships. With our stories we can learn about our different relationships between each other and with the land and animals. In the fall, the TSI will host generational stewardship events where our Youth, adults, and Elders will come together to discuss Tahltan stewardship. Our goal is to create a space focused on sharing opinions and goals for stewardship. Our stewardship is rich because we work together and for each other. We empower one another and work towards Tahltan consensus in decision-making.

The TSI has a Stories Working Group that is attempting to apply stories that shape our world view and convey the voices of our communities to our TSI projects. Through generational stewardship we can share personal stories of the land that conserve Tahltan oral history and culture.

The TCG supports the Tahltan Youth Council – a respectful and open space for Youth to connect both in and out of territory. Our goal is to provide opportunities for Tahltans to connect with culture, heritage, and the land while they find their passion for Tahltan advocacy. Keep your eyes out for Youth Council posters and events this fall!

Youth or members with questions about the TSI or the Youth Council can reach out to me, Kyle Risby, at tsi.youthrep@Tahltan.org.

Directors’ Reports

75 — Lands, Nalaine Morin 77 — Wildlife, Westin Creyke 79 — Fisheries, Cheri Frocklage 85 — Language, Pamela Labonte 89 — Culture & Heritage, Sandra Marion 103 — Education & Training, Cassandra Puckett 105 — Employment & Business, Ann Ball 107 — Membership & Genealogy, Shannon Frank 108 — Dease Lake Community, Christina Callbreath 109 — Tourism Director, Alex Buri