First Directions 2026 Registration

FIRST DIRECTIONS 2026: LAND RELATIONS 

Registration link at bottom

This year, Yúusnew̓as, in collaboration with Hayley Lee (our film facilitator), are gathering at Manning Park  from March 16th- 20th 2026. We will be staying at the Last Resort Lodge. (LINK TO MANNING PARK WEBSITE). 

Meet our facilitator!

Hayley is a passionate digital communicator, anti-oppression educator, community organizer, and mixed-media artist based on the lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh people, colonially known as Vancouver. Hayley is a graduate of the Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS) at Western University. Having worked with multiple platforms and in different fields, ranging from the pharmaceutical and finance industries to not-for-profit, Hayley enjoys applying their skills in a variety of settings and challenges. Fusing together their love for storytelling, digital tools, and community work, Hayley strives to spark conversation and positive action through their projects. Currently, Hayley works at the intersection of anti-oppression education and film as a Queer Education Facilitator at Out in Schools in addition to being a freelance photographer and videographer. Hayley is a big fan of Vancouver’s tapwater, exploring different parks with their dog, Billy, and eating ice cream to good music. You can catch them online at @misosouplover444 on Instagram.

Whose Land is Manning Park on?

Manning Park is on the traditional and unceded lands of the Syilx (Okanagan) peoples and Nłeʔkepmx Tmíxʷ (Nlaka’pamux). As well as the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla peoples.

“The Syilx Nation, part of the Okanagan people, claims a vast ancestral territory of 69,000 square kilometers from Mica Creek, BC to Wilbur, Washington, which encompasses EC Manning Provincial Park within Hope, Cascades & Canyons. Manning Park was historically the traditional meeting ground where the Stó:lō and Similkameen would convene to fish, hunt, and trade. Moreover, the present-day Skyline Trail within the park served as an important travel route for these communities.” SOURCE

Important Information:

A group of Indigenous youth from across the province will have the opportunity to learn about decolonizing health, harm reduction, and with Hayley Lee learn the fundamentals of film and create videos around the theme of Land Relations. This is a youth driven creative approach where the youth will be encouraged to use their voices and express themselves and their imagination in whatever way they choose. Narration, music, short films and poetry are just some examples. During First Directions, the first two days will be guided activities by Yúusnew̓as centered around decolonizing our health and land relations. Three days will be facilitated by Hayley and will be focused on film foundations, editing, storytelling and audience reach. 

Extracurriculars included this year include: Opening fire ceremony, music jam nights, crafts and more! 

Manning Park Resort Amenities: 

Loon Lagoon (50ft heated pool, hot tubs, sauna and steam room)

Yúusnew̓as included winter activities: Tobogganing, skating and snowshoeing

First Directions is FREE for Indigenous youth ages 15-30 years old! Funding for travel, accommodations, and meals are provided! If you think you or an Indigenous youth in your community would be interested in attending, please fill out the registration form below, or contact [email protected]!

LOGISTICS AND POLICIES:

We welcome Indigenous youth of all genders, sexual orientations, and abilities to participate in our programming. We aim to create a safer space* for all our participants, therefore discrimination of any kind (i.e. gendered discrimination, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, ableism, fatphobia, lateral violence, terf (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) and swerf (sex worker exclusionary radical feminist) ideologies, etc.) is not accepted in our space.

To us, a ‘safer’ space is a supportive, non-threatening environment that encourages open-mindedness, respect, a willingness to learn from others, as well as physical and mental safety. While we do our best to foster a safer space, we acknowledge that harm may still happen. As an organization we are committed to harm reduction, in this context we are committed to mitigating the harm that may happen in our spaces and learning from such instances. We strive to work together as a community to keep each other safe and to hold space for our various and intersecting identities. We strive for accountable spaces.

ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCES POLICY:

We understand that everybody is on their own journey, and we would love to meet you where you are at. However, to make this a safer space we will be drug and alcohol free, besides medicinal use.

There will be a designated smoking, vaping, and medicinal cannabis area away from the communal gathering spaces. 

PARTICIPATION POLICY:

We are an opt-in/opt-out space. If you join us, please meet yourself where you are at. No pressure to show up in the same way every day. However, we do ask that you check-in if you’re going to opt-out for any gatherings.

This is a closed retreat. If you want to bring anyone with you, please have them fill out a separate registration form. In accordance with our policies and keeping everyone safe, we know that participants may have friends and relatives nearby. They are not welcome to visit us on-site, however email [email protected] to work together to accommodate an off-site visit.

COVID 19 MEASURES:

To support safer access to our programming for all in attendance in consideration of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented a few important measures that we hope will help create a safer environment for us to learn and build community together.

• All sessions will be held either outdoors or in well-ventilated large rooms with capacity well under 50%
• Hand-washing stations and hand-sanitizer will be made available throughout the program
• If symptoms arise, COVID tests will be available throughout the retreat.
• Masks are optional and will be available on site for those who prefer to use them

PLEASE ONLY COME TO THE RETREAT, IF YOU CAN ANSWER NO TO ALL THESE QUESTIONS:

Daily Health Screening for Safer meetings:

1. Are you feeling sick or not well, with any of the following new or worsening symptoms?
   

• Fever (over 38° degrees)
• Extreme fatigue/tiredness
• Headaches
• Body aches

• Loss of appetite
• Chills
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of taste or smell
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sore throat
  

1. Have you been told to isolate yourself by a health professional?
2. Are you awaiting COVID-19 test results?

If you answered yes to any of these questions above, please stay home. All youth who attend the film retreat will be asked to take a COVID test upon arrival. Please let us know if you need a test mailed to you prior to the retreat. 

THINGS TO BRING:

• Swim-suits (there’s a hot tub and heated pool)
• Musical instruments (please be prepared to travel with it) *One of our facilitators will be bringing an acoustic guitar, keyboard, microphone/recording equipment, tambourine, rattle, cajon, and hand drums
• Filming Supplies (Any personal/cultural/meaningful objects/outfits you want on film)
• Snow gear/Warm winter clothing (Boots/Gloves/Jacket/Hat/Warm layers Etc.)

*If you forget, we will have extra sanitary/personal items for youth!

APPLICATION CUT OFF: FEBRUARY 27th 

REGISTER HERE: [LINK] *15 min form