The Indigenous Support Project: Winter Solstice Camp

Finding Connection in the Cold: Supporting Indigenous Youth Through Winter Camp

At Helix Foundation, we believe that meaningful change happens when young people are given opportunities to connect—to culture, to community, and to themselves. This is why we were proud to support The Indigenous Support Project (TISP) in delivering a Winter Solstice Camp for youth and families in Scarborough.

For many young people growing up in urban environments, access to land-based learning and culturally grounded experiences can be limited. TISP’s winter camp responds directly to this gap, creating space for Indigenous youth—and their families—to engage in traditional teachings, build relationships, and experience the land in ways that are both grounding and transformative.

A program rooted in culture and connection

The Winter Solstice Camp was designed as a series of immersive, hands-on experiences held at the TISP Farm. Across three visits, participants took part in activities that brought together cultural learning, community building, and seasonal traditions.

The program began with a snowshoeing journey across the farm’s expansive landscape, followed by shared meals and traditional craft-making. Youth created miniature snowshoe keychains—small but meaningful symbols of collective experience and resilience.

Subsequent sessions introduced participants to Inuit games and teachings, including the seal toss, a powerful example of cooperation and community strength. These activities were paired with culturally significant foods such as Arctic char and bannock, reinforcing the connection between land, sustenance, and tradition.

As the season deepened, participants explored the symbolism of sweetness during the winter months through maple syrup lollipop making. Guided by Elder Michael White, youth learned about the cultural significance of sugar water and the deeper teachings embedded in these practices—lessons about endurance, gratitude, and finding light in darker times.

The final session brought families together around traditional food preparation, led by a hunter-gatherer and his family. Participants learned to make moose meat soup and bone broth—foods known not only for their nourishment, but for their cultural and healing importance. Each person left with something tangible to share, extending the experience beyond the camp and into their homes.

Beyond activities: building identity, pride, and belonging

While each activity offered its own learning, the true impact of the camp lies in what it fostered over time.

Participants developed a stronger connection to their cultural identity through direct engagement with Indigenous knowledge and practices. These experiences supported not only cultural understanding, but also confidence, self-esteem, and pride.

The program also centered families as active participants. By creating opportunities for intergenerational learning, the camp helped families build confidence in carrying forward traditions in their everyday lives. This is critical to sustaining cultural continuity beyond any single program.

Equally important were the relationships formed. Youth, families, and community leaders built meaningful connections that contribute to a stronger, more cohesive community network—one grounded in respect, shared learning, and mutual support.

Why this work matters

At Helix, we understand that wellbeing is deeply shaped by context—by access to culture, community, and identity. Programs like TISP’s Winter Solstice Camp are not just enriching experiences; they are essential interventions that support long-term wellbeing and resilience.

They create space for young people to see themselves reflected in tradition. They empower families to carry culture forward. And they strengthen the social fabric that holds communities together.

This is the kind of work that drives systems change: locally rooted, culturally grounded, and designed with community at its center.

We are honoured to support The Indigenous Support Project and the vital work they do—and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of programs like this in the lives of young people and families.