4th annual Moose Hunt Program Closing Ceremony

We recently held the concluding ceremony and feast for our 4th annual “Mooz Akinonmaaget Maa Aki” Moose Hunt mentorship program in partnership with Niijaansinaanik Child and Family Services, Nogdawindamin Family & Community Services, Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services, Children's Aid Society of Sudbury & Manitoulin, Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre, Restorative Justice Sudbury and the Crown’s Office.

Spear-headed by Cst. Darrell Rivers, GSPS Indigenous Liaison Officer, this initiative aims to assist in building positive relationships between Youth and GSPS Officers based on mutual respect, cultural awareness and inclusivity. 

The Youth participants each paired with a GSPS Officer and an agency mentor throughout the summer and into the fall, where together they learned about traditional Anishnawbek values through the Seven Grandfather Teachings. They participated in training and activities including hunting education, firearms safety, First Aid, Tactical demonstrations and teachings on gratitude and giving thanks.

Through spending quality time together in nature, the Officers and Youth were given the opportunity to learn from one another about their culture and life perspectives, fostering inclusivity and mutual respect.

The program is designed to promote the spiritual, physical, emotional and mental well-being of youth.

We thank our community partners and child welfare agencies for their commitment to this program.

Above all else, we thank the Youth for their courage to participate!

GSPS is committed to working collaboratively with Indigenous Peoples and community partners in recognizing truths and continuing towards meaningful change in Greater Sudbury. We know that there is much work to be done and that this program is just one small step in the right direction!