Nihtat Gwich'in Council wrapped up 2024 with a family crafts and snack night on Dec. 19, completing its youth and culture programming for the year.

NGC education and cultural programs manager Jackie Challis said the designated Gwich'in organization held events up to five days per week.

"We truly believe our children and youthSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™s educational journey starts on the land with cultural education by connection to the land," she said. "We also strongly believe if we provide opportunity for our children and youth to grow their healthy minds and unlock their potential there will be no limits to their future; our future, our way.

"We offer educational and cultural programs year-round with a focus on the traditional activities and practices of the season," Challis continued. "Our programs are interactive and engaging allowing each participant to observe, learn and try at their own pace, in their own way. Our Elders, traditional knowledge guardians and program coordinators demonstrate practical and real-life applications of traditional land-based knowledge and experiences and embrace cultural practices and life-long learning."

Programming is available to all youth living in Inuvik from ages five to 18.

Challis highlighted a number of key events through 2024 she was proud of, including fish and culture camps and a moose harvest camp at the GwichSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™in Wellness Camp, as well as a three-day youth fiddle summit in partnership with Ingamo Hall in October. Throughout the year, Nihtat also hosts family appreciation nights and Challis said they hope to continue doing so this year.

"For 2025 and beyond, we plan to continue to offer land-based cultural programming and opportunities for our children and youth," she said. "As our programs are centred around the traditional seasons, the activities planned will be reflective of the natural cycles of the land, people and animals, especially those inside the GwichSA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½™in Settlement Area.

"That said SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” coming up for January, February and March, we have caribou harvesting, muskrat trapping and ice fishing extended camps on the horizon. We also have programs such as dry meat-making, beading and sewing, Ski-Doo orientation, wood harvesting, animal tracking, music lessons for fiddle and guitar, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and language immersion camps and activities planned SA¹ú¼ÊÓ°ÊÓ´«Ã½” just to list a few."