Stz’uminus school, Take a Hike partner to launch mental health-focused learning program

Stz’uminus First Nation and Take a Hike Foundation have partnered to offer youth in Ladysmith, British Columbia a new land-based learning and mental health program. Through the program, youth in Grades 10-12 at the Stz’uminus Community School will take part in a culturally appropriate and community-driven program. “[Students] become far more resilient, especially given the times of going through a global pandemic … this program is very good at helping them effectively deal with it with different strategies and through time in nature,” said Naniamo Ladysmith Public Schools Learning Alternatives President Brett Hancock. “Our graduates, I’m confident, are able to navigate tasks of young adulthood and for furthering their education.” Stz’uminus Education Society Education Administrator Justin Magnuson said that the school has completed a new classroom for Take a Hike that is a “perfect fit” for the program. “The classroom took its inspiration from the colours, shape and textures of the traditional territory of the Coast Salish peoples,” said Magnuson.