Northern Youth Leadership

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Northern Youth Leadership NYL seeks to transform and inspire a generation of courageous, young, northern leaders through on-the-land programs

NYL runs remote land-based camps for youth aged 11 - 17. Past camps have included hiking camps, paddling camps, Forums that bring together youth from across the territories and Inuit Nunangat, and Science Expeditions. For more information on our programming please visit our website at www.northernyouth.ca.

🌊 Reading the RiverYouth built their paddling skills and learned to read the water, recognize changing currents, identif...
10/16/2026

🌊 Reading the River

Youth built their paddling skills and learned to read the water, recognize changing currents, identify routes, and understand how the river moved around them. With guidance from our Black Feather team, they gained confidence navigating new sections and working together to make decisions on the water.

Every bend brought something new to notice, and every stretch of river offered another chance to learn.

Learning to read the river was also about learning to trust ourselves, our skills, and the people paddling beside us. ❤️

We’re also grateful to our partners and funders who make opportunities like this possible (and free for youth to attend)! ❤️

🌊 Follow along over the next few days as we share the story of LDP 2026, one part of the journey at a time.

🌊 The River as a ClassroomFrom hydrology lessons with Matt and trying our hand at fishing and fly fishing, to Wilbert’s ...
10/15/2026

🌊 The River as a Classroom

From hydrology lessons with Matt and trying our hand at fishing and fly fishing, to Wilbert’s stories, learning about the glaciers that shaped the landscape long before us, and making blueberry jam together — learning happened in all kinds of ways.

We learned through listening, exploring, sharing knowledge, and making the most of what the Land offered us.

The river was our classroom, and the learning reached far beyond the water. ❤️

We’re also grateful to our partners and funders who make opportunities like this possible (and free for youth to attend)! ❤️

🌊 Follow along over the next few days as we share the story of LDP 2026, one part of the journey at a time.

🌦️ Finding Our RhythmLife on the river meant finding our flow through colder weather, changing conditions, camp systems,...
10/14/2026

🌦️ Finding Our Rhythm

Life on the river meant finding our flow through colder weather, changing conditions, camp systems, and group dynamics. We learned to meet people where they were at, share responsibilities, pace ourselves on and off the water and carry ourselves through the day with everything we each brought along.

And then came the sunbreaks — little reminders to slow down, be grateful, and appreciate where we were. There was so much laughter and so much love for the Land.

Finding our rhythm was about learning how to be together through it all — and remembering to appreciate the Land and the people beside us. ❤️

We’re also grateful to our partners and funders who make opportunities like this possible (and free for youth to attend)! ❤️

🌊 Follow along over the next few days as we share the story of LDP 2026, one part of the journey at a time.

🌊 By the Numbers323.37 km. 15 days of paddling. ~2.3 million crew strokes. One Arctic Ocean. 🛶Looking back, it’s hard to...
10/13/2026

🌊 By the Numbers

323.37 km. 15 days of paddling. ~2.3 million crew strokes. One Arctic Ocean. 🛶

Looking back, it’s hard to put 18 days on the Coppermine River into numbers. There were long stretches of paddling, whitewater that got everyone’s hearts going, beautiful camps, questionable weather, plenty of laughs, and the kind of moments that only happen when you spend that much time together on the Land.

Every day, we packed up camp, loaded the canoes, and kept moving north. One paddle stroke at a time, we made our way toward the Arctic Ocean.

Swipe through for a few glimpses of life on the water — and the people who made every kilometre count. ❤️

18 days. 18 people. 1 Arctic Ocean.

We’re also grateful to our partners and funders who make opportunities like this possible (and free for youth to attend)! ❤️

🌊 Follow along over the next few days as we share the story of LDP 2026, one part of the journey at a time.

✈️ Getting ThereGetting to the Coppermine River was an expedition of its own.Three flight groups travelled from Yellowk...
10/08/2026

✈️ Getting There

Getting to the Coppermine River was an expedition of its own.

Three flight groups travelled from Yellowknife approximately 416 km north, landing near Fairy Creek with everything needed for the next 18 days on the Land.

Once we touched down, the real work began — unloading canoes, gear, food, and supplies, and turning a remote landing site into the starting point for our journey down the Coppermine River.

A huge Mahsi Cho to Air Tindi for getting our crew and gear safely to the Land and helping us get this journey underway. 🛩️

We’re also grateful to our partners and funders who make opportunities like this possible (and free for youth to attend)! ❤️

🌊 Follow along over the next few days as we share the story of LDP 2026, one part of the journey at a time.

Mahsi Cho to everyone who helped make this journey possible. 🛶

🏔️ The Community10 youth representing 6 different communities across the Northwest Territories came together for this j...
10/07/2026

🏔️ The Community

10 youth representing 6 different communities across the Northwest Territories came together for this journey.

They arrived with different backgrounds, experiences, and strengths — from education and culture to geology, canoeing, camping, and time on the Land.

Over 18 days, these different experiences came together to create an intentional community on the river.

We learned from one another, supported each other through challenges, shared responsibilities, and made space for everyone to contribute.

The community we built became just as important as the river we travelled. ❤️

Today, we’re introducing the people who helped make up and support that community.

A special Mahsi Cho to Wilbert Menacho, our Traditional Knowledge Holder from Tulita, who shared stories and teachings throughout the journey and brought the group together with gratitude and groundedness. His presence on this trip was immeasurable, and we are so grateful for everything he shared with us.

We also want to give a special Mahsi Cho to Charlie Kudlak and Family, who welcomed us on our first night in Yellowknife with fish and bannock and shared stories with the group before we headed north. It was a meaningful way to begin our journey together.

Mahsi Cho to our NYL staff — Gabe, David, Brandon, and Steph— who supported the youth throughout the journey, helped hold the community together, and carried the many moving pieces that made life on the river possible.

Mahsi Cho to our Black Feather guides, who kept us safe throughout the expedition and shared their technical skills, knowledge, and experience with youth. Their guidance and encouragement helped youth grow their confidence on the river and were an important part of the learning and leadership experience.

Mahsi Cho. ❤️

We’re also grateful to our partners and funders who make opportunities like this possible (and free for youth to attend)! ❤️

🌊 Follow along over the next few days as we share the story of LDP 2026, one part of the journey at a time.

Mahsi Cho to everyone who helped make this journey possible. 🛶

🌊 The JourneySo, where did we go?This summer, 10 youth from across the Northwest Territories travelled north for an 18-...
10/06/2026

🌊 The Journey

So, where did we go?

This summer, 10 youth from across the Northwest Territories travelled north for an 18-day Leadership Development Program expedition on the Coppermine River.

Today’s post gives you a look at the journey itself — where we travelled, what the expedition looked like, and what youth were learning along the way.

🛶 Follow along to see where we travelled, what the journey looked like, and some of the big moments along the way.

A huge Mahsi Cho to the partners, funders, and communities who supported this journey and helped make this opportunity possible and free for youth to attend. ❤️

🚣‍♀️ Northern Youth Leadership: Leadership Development Program 2026 🌊This summer, 10 youth from across the Northwest Ter...
10/05/2026

🚣‍♀️ Northern Youth Leadership: Leadership Development Program 2026 🌊

This summer, 10 youth from across the Northwest Territories came together for an 18-day journey in Nunavut down the incredible Coppermine River, travelling north to reach Kugluktuk and the Arctic Ocean.

Over the next few days, we’ll be sharing our Leadership Development Program 2026 trip summary to reflect on the remarkable journey, the learning, the challenges, the laughter, and the community that formed along the way. ✨

This was a deeply grounding trip for everyone who participated. The Land we travelled through held us, challenged us, taught us, and supported us throughout the journey. The river became our classroom as youth learned new paddling and camping skills, practiced leadership, navigated challenges together, and built connections with one another and the Land.

We’re so grateful to the 10 youth who showed up, took on the challenge, and helped make this journey what it was. We’re also grateful to our staff, guides, knowledge holders, partners, families, communities, and funders who make opportunities like this possible (and free for youth to attend)! ❤️

🌊 Follow along over the next few days as we share the story of LDP 2026, one part of the journey at a time.

Mahsi Cho to everyone who helped make this journey possible. 🛶

🏔️ Calling new Steering Committee members! 🛶Want to help shape the future of Northern Youth Leadership? Come join the li...
09/18/2026

🏔️ Calling new Steering Committee members! 🛶

Want to help shape the future of Northern Youth Leadership? Come join the little community of humans behind NYL!

🌲 Why join the Steering Committee?

Help shape an organization doing transformative land-based programs with northern youth. Come out on the Land. Join camps as a mentor. Learn from youth, Elders, Knowledge Holders, and communities. Access training and certifications. Share what you’re good at. Build new skills. Meet great humans. Help us dream up what NYL does next.

And yes, there are governance meetings, but they are usually paired with homemade tacos...🌮

🛶 The commitment: Meet every few months + an annual retreat + camp debriefs. Anything beyond that depends on your interests and capacity. Virtual attendance is always an option.

Members serve a two-year term. This is a volunteer role, and NYL covers costs associated with participating in NYL activities.

💌 Interested? No application!

Send a short expression of interest to [email protected] telling us a bit about yourself, why you want to get involved, and what you’d bring to the crew.

Not sure you’re the “Steering Committee type”? Reach out anyway.

🌭 Hot dog costume not required, but always encouraged.

🛶 Come Paddle with NYL! ☀️🏐Join Northern Youth Leadership tomorrow at Long Lake for an afternoon of paddling, food, beac...
09/03/2026

🛶 Come Paddle with NYL! ☀️🏐

Join Northern Youth Leadership tomorrow at Long Lake for an afternoon of paddling, food, beach volleyball, and community before the paddling season comes to an end!

📍 Long Lake — Fred Henne Territorial Park, Picnic Shelter
📅 Friday, September 4
⏰ 3–8 PM

All ages are welcome and no registration is required, just come by and enjoy an evening of outdoor fun!

🌊 Canoeing with Northern Youth Leadership
🚣 Rowing with Somba K’e Paddling Club
🏐 Beach volleyball
🍴 Food and drinks provided
👋 Hang out with our community

🛶 Equipment: We will have paddling gear available to borrow. If you’re borrowing gear to get out on the water, you’ll need to sign a waiver on site before paddling (minors need a guardian's signature). If you bring and use your own paddling gear, a waiver is not required.

🚕 Transportation: Taxi vouchers are available for anyone who needs transportation to and from the event. Reach out to NYL to arrange a voucher.

🅿️ Parking: Free parking is available in the parking lot at the top of the hill, accessed directly from NWT Highway 3. Park there and walk down the hill to the picnic shelter at Long Lake.

♿ Accessibility: If you need accessible parking closer to the picnic shelter, NYL can arrange a day-use parking pass for your vehicle. If you have any other accessibility questions, accommodation needs, or concerns about participating in the activities or accessing the event site, please reach out to us. We’re happy to work with you to make participating as accessible and comfortable as possible.

🌦️ Weather: The event will go ahead rain or shine! We’ll monitor weather and water conditions throughout the event, and paddling activities may be adjusted or paused if conditions are not safe.

❓If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to our team!

Come paddle, row, eat, play, and connect with the community as we celebrate another season on the water together! 🛶💙

Address

#206/4902 49th Street
Yellowknife, NT
X1A2P8

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18674454558

Website

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