My name is Wilbert Menacho, and I am Dene from Tulita, NWT. I am a residential school survivor, and as such, I recognize that this experience took me away from my culture. The Dene are a strong and gifted people, with deep connections to the land. I love to work with youth and bring them to the land. I strongly believe our youth can learn so much from the land. Our elders have always taught the importance of guiding youth on the land, and safety is always number one. The land is healing, it speaks to you. Take a moment to sit, look around, and appreciate what surrounds you. Watch the rivers, honour our ancestors who paddled these waters, and notice the beauty and usefulness of the land. I am thankful to organizations that take youth out on the land to show them traditional ways of life. My message to youth: respect the places you travel, care for each other and your instructors, work hard, relax in the evenings, do your best, and most importantly, be safe on the land.