It’s crucial that promoting Men’s health is not just once a month but every day of the year. It’s time to break down stigmas about seeking help for mental and emotional wellness and be in control of your journey on a path to better wellbeing.

Kw’umut Lelum's Youth Advisory Council (YAC) embarked on an inspiring journey, teaming up with N’we Jinan, a renowned production studio and platform dedicated to Indigenous youth across Canada. This collaboration presented our young talents with a unique opportunity to delve into sound recording, music production, songwriting, and performance.

The history of wool weaving in Coast Salish territories is a testament to the resilience of indigenous cultures in the face of colonization and cultural disruption. It is a story of adaptation, preservation, and renewal.

With our traditional territories on the Salish Sea, Coast Salish peoples have relied on the abundance of fish in our waters for thousands of years. While salmon may perhaps be the most prized catch there are also many types of bottom-feeding fish which were also harvested including ‘eeyt - the lingcod.

Logan Manson isn’t your average musician. From indie music to punk rock, this 22 year old Snuneymuxw mustimuxw expresses his creativity through writing and producing music.

Here at Kw’umut Lelum, we believe that culture is medicine. It is at the heart of everything we do because we know it has the power to strengthen and heal our children, our families and our communities.

The plant is widely used by many Indigenous peoples as it has been used for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments. It has medicinal, practical, ceremonial and spiritual uses in Coastal First Nation groups. The many medicinal purposes of this plant vary among cultural groups, though most traditional medicines utilize the roots, and green inner bark of the branch or stalk.

Every year since 2009, Kw’umut Lelum has participated in Tribal Journey. This Pacific coastal canoe journey, with participants from hundreds of Nations, has offered a chance for our youth in care to connect with each other and with their culture. It is a welcome chance to build a stronger sense of self, to heal, to learn, and to have fun.

We pulled for a couple of hours in the heat, as it beat down on us it took its toll. We ended up being towed for short leg of the pull by our Swinomish relatives, totally saved the day, as our youth are being pushed to their limits. Once we broke off from the support boat a big ship was passing by and gave us the chance to test our might as the large waves cast from its motors barreled at us.

Our trip found us at the shores of the Muckleshoot tribe, another glorious voyage across sacred ancestral waters. With the sun glistening atop the waters, the wind on our face and the waters beneath us we were on top of the world.

As with everything in life there must be balance; when participating in so much culture and giving away so much in such a short timeframe we must remember to take care of ourselves. But more important is the idea of down time and introspection as self-reflection is an important aspect in our growth.

Pulling into sacred Swinomish lands was awe inspiring, gliding across the waters and pulling up to 3 massive gazebos in the shape of cedar hats – really enhanced the self-identity aspect of the journeys.