The Land Remembers Us Wins Arctic Inspiration Prize
- 14 hours ago
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Innovative NWT Project that Supports Healing and Cultural Revitalization for Residential School Survivors and Their Families Named Arctic Inspiration Prize Laureate
An innovative new initiative that supports healing and cultural revitalization for residential school Survivors and their families through on-the-land camps was named an Arctic Inspiration Prize laureate in the Arctic Inspiration Prize Category at a ceremony in Whitehorse on May 5.
The Land Remembers Us is a collaboration between the How I Survived Advisory Committee, an initiative of the NWT Recreation Parks and Association (NWTRPA) and University of Alberta; the Dehcho First Nations Health and Wellness Division; the Gwich’in Tribal Council’s Department of Culture and Heritage; and the Tłı̨chǫ Government’s Department of Culture and Lands Protection.
Nominated by the Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories Rebecca Alty, The Land Remembers Us team received $500,000 to design and deliver three regional on-the-land camps and one territorial on-the-land gathering that will bring Survivors of Indian residential and day schools together with their families, Elders, youth, artists, and wellness workers.
The Land Remembers Us responds to long-standing harms caused by residential and day schools—particularly the disruption of family relationships, cultural knowledge, and connections to Land. Rather than addressing symptoms alone, this initiative creates new spaces for Survivors and families to heal together, guided by Indigenous knowledge, northern expertise, and creativity. The expected outcomes include improved individual and community wellbeing, strengthened intergenerational relationships, increased youth skills and confidence, and the creation of new stories, artworks, and educational resources rooted in lived northern experience.
The Land Remembers Us team includes Paul Andrew, Kristi Benson, Jess Dunkin, Sharon Anne Firth, Dr. Crystal Gail Fraser (team leader), Rebecca Gray, Josanne Kenny, Amos Scott, Tammy Steinwand-Deschambeault, Lorna Storr, and Kristen Tanche.
Quotes
"The Land Remembers Us centres Survivor- and intergenerational-led, land-based camps as spaces for healing, cultural practice, and relationship-building. This approach aligns with Dene understandings of wellness, which are rooted in respectful connection to the land, language, and one another. By creating immersive, intergenerational spaces supported by Elders, knowledge holders, artists, and wellness workers, these camps respond to long-standing community calls for healing that is holistic, relational, and grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems."
- Jennie Vandermeer (Sahtúgot’ı̨nę)
"The relevance of this project for the NWT cannot be overstated. More than a century of multigenerational residential school impacts still permeate every community here. By creating sustained opportunities for healing and connection on the land, The Land Remembers Us will address residential and day school impacts by supporting cultural reclamation, continuity and wellness to the benefit of individual participants, their families, communities and future generations."
- Marie Wilson, Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner
“This prize is a powerful acknowledgment of the importance of opportunities for reconnection to land, language, and knowledge systems. As an organization committed to supporting initiatives that explore the relationship between colonialism and recreation, we see this as an important step toward strengthening relationships, honouring lived experience, and fostering healing and change. We are inspired by this work, grateful for the dedication and collaboration behind it, and hopeful about the impact it will have.”
- Sheena Tremblay, Executive Director, NWT Recreation and Parks Association
“This initiative is about more than healing, it is about restoring relationships with land, culture, and our people. The Land Remembers Us will create space for Survivors and their families to reconnect on the land, and being on the land is where our people find strength, guidance, and healing. Rooted in Dene ways of being, these camps will provide impactful intergenerational healing opportunities for our people. This recognition affirms the importance of community-led land-based approaches to healing, and we are honoured to be part of this journey.”
– Josanne Kenny, Regional Health and Wellness Director, Dehcho First Nations
“For generations, residential and day schools disrupted the transmission of Gwich’in knowledge, language, and relationships to land and family. The Land Remembers Us creates space for Survivors, families, youth, and communities to come together in ways that reflect our own teachings and values. Through land-based gatherings, cultural practice, storytelling, and intergenerational learning, this project supports healing while also strengthening the knowledge systems and relationships that continue to sustain our people. The Gwich’in Tribal Council’s Department of Culture and Heritage is honoured to be part of this collaboration and grateful to the Arctic Inspiration Prize for recognizing the importance of Indigenous-led, northern approaches to wellness, cultural revitalization, and community healing.”
– William Firth, Manager of Culture and Heritage, Gwich’in Tribal Council
“The Land Remembers Us is a unique opportunity to wrap family members with the love and support of Elders, community healing and wellness supporters, stories of the land, cultural teachings, traditional food and the natural elements of the land and environment. Family members, through this on-the-land cultural experience, will share and begin addressing the hurts sustained through the multigenerational residential school experience to emerge healthier with new awareness and understandings, gaining new cultural skills and better tools to continue with their healing journey. The ‘family unit’ delivery approach allows for the family to heal and grow together, strengthening family bonds and unity. The Land Remembers Us is working to build stronger, healthier communities, one family at a time.”
– Tammy Steinwand-Deschambeault, Tłı̨chǫ Government
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