Environmental, Restoration and Social Work with First Nation Kids

  Canada

• British Columbia: 
Port McNeill

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: July 13 - July 26, 2008

Description: Located in British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest and overlooking the Pacific, the Koeye (pronounced "kway") have been for millennia cherished by the Heiltsuk First Nation people for its healing and sustenance and have been a home for 'Qaikas Nan' - the Great Grizzly Bear. Nestled at the mouth of Koeye River is the Koeye Lodge - a non-profit society that is committed to supporting Heiltsuk youth, culture and environment. This summer they are opening a traditional ceremonial Bighouse which is to support the culture and science camps organized for kids and youth as well as their healing programs.

Project dates:
July 13 - July 26, 2008
July 27 - August 9, 2008

Volunteers will assist the Heiltsuk First Nation with restoration project and the completion of the traditional ceremonial Bighouse. They will be also involved in some work with the youth culture and science camps, healing courses and non-profit ecotourism which will also be on site.

Volunteers will help landscaping the Bighouse area, including bushing, moving sand and rock, stream clean-up, rock fire pit work and building. Among the other planned activities are clearing and building trails, some garden preparation for medicine and demonstration gardens and collecting plants, assisting the set up of obstacle course for team building. Volunteers may also take part in some plant propagation and pruning for trails as part of a 1000-year restoration plan for a small logged area.

Around 30 first nation kids at the age of 10-15, some of whom with disabilities, attend the culture and science camps at Koeye Lodge each week. Volunteers will be involved in organizing and attending some activities with those kids.

The project is located in the Koeye River Watershed, 30 miles south of Bella Bella and 70 miles north of Port Hardy. Surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches and rugged coastline with numerous islands, inlets and coves, this magnificent area offers breathtaking scenery and wildlife.

Cost in US$: $290 US

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: motivated to work for a charity project within an international youth team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative young person with adventurous spirit.

Age Range: 19 - 30 years

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi and World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Canada Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement: CADIP is an independent, non-governmental, non-religious, not-for-profit Canadian organization based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Through various youth initiatives, Cadip promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: " To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution " To strengthen the international contacts among young people " To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings " To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world " To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills " To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning " To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.