Please Read and Complete Then Submit to NNDFN Lands, Or

Please read and complete then submit to NNDFN Lands, or

Heritage Department’s

Deadline for Registration:

Friday October 10th, 2014

Massi Cho!

If you have any questions or comments please contact:

Nicole Hutton: Heritage Technician

Email: or

Matt McHugh: Fish and Wildlife Officer

Email:

Points to Remember. . .

You must attend the orientation meeting

Good gear is important for a good trip

You must have the registration form handed in by the deadline

You must agree to practice safe and ethical hunting and be respectful of all people at the camp. *Those who utilize the resources and hospitality of our camp are expected to attend in the spirit of the First Hunt and its objectives

Please pack a lunch or snack for the trip to camp

What is First Hunt?

First Hunt Culture Camp is being hosted by Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, the Canadian Rangers, and the RCMP for youth and families. It is a way for people to learn about the traditions of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, as well as the importance of the Caribou and modern day environmental pressures on this important part of our culture. It is an opportunity for the community to meet and interact; families, youth and elders. And a great way to get away from the pressures of town! Although after the hunt, the youth will be called back to help butcher the meat, package it and distribute it to Elders. This is to teach them, that it is important to take responsibility from the moment you take the animal’s life, to the point it is in the freezer and shared with the community.

When is it happening?

The date for First Hunt is Friday, October 17th – Monday, October 20th, 2014. Youth will meet at the NNDFN Government House on Friday, October 17th at 8:30 am with all of their belongings and lunch. We will be returning to town in the afternoon on October 20th and we will plan to drop off youth at their homes or call parents to pick them up. Only youth who have completed the registration form and who meet the eligibility requirements will be permitted to go to the camp. Youth who are not registered that show up the day of departure for First Hunt will not be permitted to attend until a registration form is completed and signed.

All youth attending First Hunt must also attend the Orientation meeting and gear check onWednesday, October 15th at the Youth Centre. IF YOU DO NOT COME TO THE MEETING YOU CANNOT COME TO FIRST HUNT. (People who have a valid reason for missing the meeting can make alternate arrangements) This is essential, as we need to ensure that we have the proper equipment and everyone knows what is expected of them.

We will meet to depart for camp in front of the TH Hall. The time will be confirmed at the participants meeting. We will return Sunday afternoon. It is difficult to name a specific time, so youth will be able to call home for rides from the Hall when we come back into town or we will drop them off at their homes.

Who is this camp for?

The camp is open to Dawson youth ages 12 years and up (or Grade 7 and up), First Nations or Non-First Nations. You do NOT have to be a Jr. Ranger to attend the camp. Please leave Jr. Ranger sweaters at home. You do have to agree to practice safe and ethical hunting techniques, and be respectful to everyone at First Hunt.

I also recommend that any non-First Nation youth 14 years old or older should acquire a hunting license ($10) before the First Hunt if they plan to hunt for caribou.

Can Families Attend?

The information in this form is specific to youth attending First Hunt under the care of Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Na cho Nyak Dun Staff. However, families are welcome and encouraged to attend the event. You are welcome to stay for the whole time, but if you can’t stay away that long come up when you can! Pop in for the day or stay for the weekend or any combination of the above. Families attending First Hunt will be required to bring their own equipment, but are welcome to join the programs.

*THOSE WHO WANT TO UTILIZE THE RESOURCES AND HOSPITALITY OF OUR CAMP ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND IN THE SPIRIT OF THE FIRST HUNT*

For families that are joining us with children, not all youth will be able to participate in the actual hunting. It will depend on their knowledge and experience, as well as the staff to youth ratio. There will be activities running in camp for any one not participating in the hunt. If youth are registered to attend with staff, and their family joins them at First Hunt, they are still under the care of staff and will be expected to behave appropriately.

Where is all of this happening?

First Huntwill be based at Km 130, Dempster Highway at Cache Creek. The hunting will take place off the highway where conditions are appropriate and caribou and other animals can be harvested. Other programming will be happening in different locations around the camping area.

What activities are planned?

The main activity of the camp will be harvesting animals in season. This will take different forms for each youth, based on their knowledge and experience. Some of the skills we will learn include: hunting ethics and safety, rifle shooting, and other bush skills. If the hunt is a success, a priority will be the handling of the animals to ensure proper care. We will also be hosting workshops by elders and professionals, on traditional skills and knowledge, ecology, modern practices and more. There will also be lots of fun time, including games, campfires and maybe even some free time.

What are the expectations?

Your spirit of adventure, team work, and learning new skills! We will be trying new things so come ready to participate fully in all activities, and have fun.

Youth are expected to attend and participate in all workshops, activities and talks, help with hunting, assist with butchering and packaging, delivering meat to Elders, and assisting at the feast, help with chores, and abide by curfews. We are living in a team setting; therefore everyone’s actions will have either a positive or negative affect on the team.

Youth are under the care of the staff, supervisors, and hunters, and must listen carefully when being given direction. As is the nature with all camps, youth are required to be flexible when it comes to the schedule. The caribou are our first concern, and other workshops and activities are secondary. Your attention is to be focused on good listening skills. Be on the alert always when in a camp setting!

There will be things we need to do to keep the camp clean and safe, that everyone will have to help with. This includes the dishes, chopping wood, getting up at night to re-light the fire, set up and tear down of camp, etc. Everyone is expected to help with these duties.

Since older youth will be receiving a credit for their attendance and participation at the camp, there is a requirement for those youth to do self-reflections and complete a specific project during the camp.

What about safety?

Safety is a priority for staff, and is built into every activity. Every activity will have specific guidelines that youth and staff will be expected to follow. Staff to youth ratios will be kept low.

Safety is the number one priority of all camp participants and supervisors. To ensure this we have taken the following precautions:

1.High staff/supervisor to youth ratio

2.Staff/supervisors in sleeping areas with youth at night

3.Satellite/cell/radio phone at Cache Creek for emergency use

4.A truck will be stationed at Cache Creek for the duration of the camp

5.Zero tolerance for bullying and swearing

6.At least one medical personnel on site 24 hours. Dawson Ambulance Attendants are notified of the camp and will be ready for any emergency calls

7.Knowledgeable staff and supervisors who have ample experience working with youth

8.First Hunt orientation on the first day of camp for all participants, staff, and supervisors.

Staff are experienced and qualified at their jobs. They are experienced hunters and guides (many are Canadian Rangers) and will only be leading activities in which they are proven competent. (For example, Mitch is a Certified Ranger Safety Officer). All staff working with youth have gone through an RCMP criminal records check; Staff are experienced and knowledgeable about safety in the bush. The first day of First Hunt there will be time dedicated to safety and general camp rules.

Youth may NOT bring firearms to First Hunt.

In case of emergency we will have radio phones and satellite phones to call to notify medical services and families immediately andsteps will be taken to ensure adequate medical care is provided to youth. An emergency vehicle is available 24hrs a day. Staff have first aid training. Vehicles will travel in groups of at least two in case of break down, and activities will have a minimum of two staff on hand. Activities taking place away from the highway will have a snow machine or ATV with them for emergencies.

Each participant is required to sign a Positive Behaviour Contract. This is taken very seriously, so please read it over and ensure your child understands it before signing. Youth caught using substances, including tobacco, or whose behavior has become a danger to themselves or others, will be removed from the camp. Removal or consistently poor behavior will result in disciplinary action, and may prevent youth from participating in further Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in/Na cho Nyak Duncamps or activities. Parents will be responsible for transporting their child home in the event that they have been removed from camp.

Living arrangements

There are two large cabins that the youth will be staying in, one for the male youth and one for the female youth. There are woodstoves to heat each cabin, where there will be an experienced staff in the cabin to ensure safety. Lanterns are propane to reduce the fire risk. There is also a separate cook house, and a mess hall, where everyone eats, separate sleeping quarters for elders, and a large tent with stove where the youth can process any animals coming into camp from the hunts. NND guests may be required to stay in wall tents with stoves, provided by NND Lands staff.Youth will have cabins to stay in.

There will be a cook for the event. If your child has any specific dietary requirements, please note down on the health form (ie allergies, lactose intolerant). Except for the bus ride up, youth do not need to bring any food with them.

Camp life

Youth will be required to follow the schedule and participate in all activities. This includes camp chores. Since we are living as a group everyone will have to help keep the site clean and healthy. Bring your spirit of fun and cooperation along with you!

Skidoo and ATV use

First Hunt is not an appropriate place for youth to have snow machines or ATVs. For those who would like to go on a snow machine or ATV trip, there will be other opportunities for this through the Canadian Rangers and other organizations. There will be snow machines on site for safety. These are also not available for youth to use.

Health

If youth require any medication, please ensure to make note of that on the medical form as well as personally give to a staff member and/or supervisor before departure. Label medication clearly including what it is, the dosage and frequency. We are not permitted to administer any over the counter medication to youth. In the event where medication is required that the youth does not have with them, parents will be contacted immediately and appropriate measures will be taken.

There are no shower facilities at Cache Creek, so it is important that the youth use the wash station provided when handling the meat. Youth will be expected to help prepare the wash station during those times that we need them.

It is important that youth can fully participate in all activities in camp, so if there are any pre-camp injuries that prevent them from fully participating in all activities, the staff and/or supervisors will have to assess the situation to decide if the youth will be able to attend the First Hunt.

What do Youth need to bring?

*The items below are not suggested, they are mandatory, if youth fail to bring any of the following items, their experience at the First Hunt Camp could be adversely affected (i.e. forgetting warm boots = cold feet).

**MP3, ipods, radios, game boys, cell phones and all other electronics are to be left at home. Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in and Na cho Nyak Dun will not be liable for any damages or loss of electronics during the camp. When hunting, you don’t listen to music because your attention needs to be focused on listening toyour hunt leader and watching for caribou!

*** Parents and/or guardians, please label everything! Lost and found can be picked up at the TH Heritage office!

Tips for dressing for the outdoors

Layers! Warm air gets trapped between layers of clothes, keeping you nice and warm. If the temperature fluctuates it’s easy to add or take away a layer

Tommy Hilfiger, Bootlegger, the Gap, etc do not design suitable outerwear for cold climates. There are no fashion crimes in the bush. If it’s warm wear it.

Those fancy fabrics that ‘wick away’ perspiration are great if you already have them. But here’s a hint: any material that has NO COTTON in it will do this (nylon, wool, silk, fleece)

Don’t even think of running shoes or slip-ons. Cold feet will lead to a miserable trip. Wear Warm Sturdy Boots!

You lose 80% of your body heat through the top of your head. Keep a HAT on it!

Concerns about what to bring? Call Matt at 996-2265 Ext 143or Nicole Ext 130 for some advice on keeping your toes warm!

Orientation/Equipment Check Day

Youth registered in the camp are required to bring the supplies listed below that are necessary for attending the camp. The Gear Check day will be held at the Youth Centre on Wednesday October 15th, at 4:00 pm. Your gear will be checked before you head to camp. A draft schedule will be provided to youth and parents during orientation.

Mandatory Stuff To Bring . . . PUT YOUR NAME ON EVERYTHING!

• Cold weather Sleeping bag
• Foamie/cot (if you bring a cot, you must also have some kind of foamie)
• Personal Toiletries – toothpaste, toothbrush, medication, etc. There are no showers here.
• Headlamp or Flashlight + extra batteries
• Potlatch bag (Mess kit) – a bag of unbreakable dishes, cutlery and cup
• Travel mug or thermos for hot drinks
• Water bottle for water or juice
• Personal first aid kit
• Day pack – very important
• Knife and sharpener
• Whistle in case of emergency
• Clothing: be sure to have spare clothing if your clothing gets bloody from cutting caribou.
• Several pairs of heavy socks for each day
• Long johns/turtle necks
• Warm fleece pants
• Warm fleece sweaters
• Something warm to sleep in
• Snow pants and Jacket
• Sturdy warm boots and/or spare liners
• Neck warmer / scarf
• Mitts, liners, and spares
• Toque – a cap won’t cut it
• Work gloves

Voluntary Items to Bring

• Denezhu Bingo Prize
• Healthy Snacks to Share

All information provided on this form is confidential

Informed Consent Agreement

I, the undersigned, hereby acknowledge that certain risks of injury are inherent to participation in recreation and sport activities, including First Hunt Camp, October 17th – 20th, 2014. I understand that certain activities require a minimum level of fitness and health (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) and that each person has a different capacity for participating in these activities. I hereby warrant myself, my son or daughter is fit to participate in the camp and understand the choice to participate brings assumptions of risks inherent to this activity.