Dr. Marc and trail-builder Lloyd clear a stump from the summer’s first build.
From repairing trails to biking them, Indigenous youth are combating the effects of social isolation due to COVID-19.
Thanks to peer mentors, including other Indigenous young people, youth will be taking part in a trail-building day Wednesday, August 12, in the Chilliwack Community Forest. It is the third of five builds this summer.
Lloyd Malloway, youth and member of Tzeachten First Nation, says of the program, “United Way has given me plenty of exercise and lots of connections within my community.”
After the first build, one Sto:lo staff member relayed that a participant “said on the way home that he has never had fun like that before. Couldn’t get the smile off his face!”
United Way identified isolation as a concern impacting youth prior to the pandemic, and now it has become a critical issue. The trail-building initiative encourages better outcomes for health and wellness by placing young people with mentors who provide positive role modeling. In addition, participants learn transferable skills to enhance employability along with building a sense of pride relating to natural spaces.
Building trails, gaining skills on the Trans Canada Trail.
“We have had to be creative in finding ways to engage with our youth in-person, while respecting physical distancing, We added an enhancement to our program last year by purchasing two mountain bikes, which have been an important addition, especially during the pandemic,” says Breanna Miller, Youth Services Manager, Stó:lō Service Agency. “Now, having the opportunity to collaborate with United Way and the Chilliwack Park Society, we are able to have yet another opportunity to safely spend time together, give back to our community, and further the biking component for youth in our program. We hope there will also be opportunities to incorporate cultural and land-based teachings.”
United Way British Columbia, with the support of the Canada Summer Jobs Program and an Overdose Prevention Grant administered by Chilliwack Community Services and other partners, hired five youth as a full-time paid summer trail-building crew to be mentored by more than a dozen local leaders, including Dr. Marc Greidanus, a local ER physician. The trail crew, which includes Indigenous youth, are mentoring small groups of local Indigenous youth, including those from Mémiyelhtel, which means “to help others be well” in Halq’eméylem.
After the last trail-building day, Dr. Greidanus (better known as “Dr. Marc” to the trail-builders) hosted a mountain bike clinic so the teens could ride the same trails they restore. It’s a way they can be together safely during the pandemic.
“The COVID-19 crisis has increased stress for everyone – especially young people,” explains Andrea Dykshoorn, United Way British Columbia Community Engagement Specialist, Fraser Valley. “Schools and community centres are closed. Parent and caregiver employment has been diminished or lost. Strict social distancing measures have led to isolation and uncertainty about the future. These factors affect health and wellness. Our United Way community partners reported an urgent need to support mental health and this program responds to those needs.”
Teens repair trails first – and ride them when the work is done.
Partnering up for health, wellness and reconciliation
Project partners include Stó:lō Nation, Fraser Health, Chilliwack Community Services, the City of Chilliwack, Trans Canada Trail, Fraser Valley Mountain Biking Association, BC Parks and Canada Summer Jobs Grant.
The trails built and maintained by the Chilliwack Park Society are on unceded Stó:lō territory, and by involving Indigenous leaders and youth in this work, project leaders hope to work toward reconciliation.
Chrystal Gillingham, a volunteer with the Chilliwack Park Society and trail-builder mentor says, “The Chilliwack Park Society is a truly community centric organization and every community needs to have skilled and engaged youth. We’re genuinely excited to have a great team of young people helping us to build trails and a better future.”
If you enjoy Chilliwack Parks this summer, remember the trail–builders who are working together to create a healthy, caring, inclusive community. You’ll see the result of their work on the Trans Canada Trail near Tamihi recreation site, at the Chilliwack Community Forest, on Vedder Mountain and on the Trans Canada Trail in the Chilliwack River Valley.
To help others combat social isolation during COVID-19, you can donate today.