For two decades, Camp Courage has aimed to empower young women and gender-diverse youth. This year, for the first time ever, that mission came to the West Coast.
From July 19 to 26, the Coastal Nations Coast Guard Auxiliary (CNCGA) hosted Camp Courage in T'Sou-ke Nation at Pearson College. The goal was to inspire Indigenous youth to pursue careers in emergency services.
This year’s camp brought together Indigenous girls from Gitxaala, Heiltsuk, Nisga’a and Kyuquot/Checlesaht First Nations. At camp, the group of 11 girls engaged in emergency services training delivered by local agencies and Indigenous leaders.
On July 25, the girls – aged 14 to 18 – and their mentors were honoured at a graduation ceremony marking the end of their time at Camp Courage.
They were joined by four mentors, one from each of their respective nations, who helped guide them throughout the week.
“As an Indigenous woman myself, looking at the positions that are out there, you don’t always believe you can do things,” said Dawn Wilson, CEO of the CNCGA.
“To show them those roles and say, ‘We believe in you, you can do this,’ empower them, give them confidence – it allows them to believe in themselves.”
Beyond improving visibility and inspiring ambition, the camp also gave the girls tools to seek out employment opportunities in their communities – allowing them to raise families and build lives in their culture, while also fostering trust between Indigenous communities and first response institutions.
“When you see people who look like you, being Indigenous, in these roles, it builds trust and helps heal old wounds,” said Wilson. “But it also allows little girls to see strong women in these roles and say, ‘Hey, I can do that too'.”
Their efforts appear to be working, as campers described the experience as life-changing.
“I just feel like now that I have this experience, I can do the stuff I want,” said Melody Madam of the Nisga’a Nation. “I know I have a really bright future now.” Her favourite part of the week was working with the RCMP.
For Keira Robinson Wells, also of the Nisga’a Nation, graduating from camp alongside her friends was the highlight. Her favourite part was working with fire departments.
“We were outside the majority of the day, and I like being outside depending on my mood,” she said. Some of her favourite activities were working the fire hose and rescuing a dummy.
Arianna Nelson, from Gitxaala Nation, said she might consider a career in firefighting, but above all, she had fun.
“I liked all the activities – a lot of them were really fun,” said Nelson. “I had fun meeting new people. At first I was nervous, but after a while I got used to it.”
At the camp, Wilson had the opportunity to work with children of some of her CNCGA crew members.
“I’ve been able to send them photos of their kids doing amazing,” said Wilson, who explained that many of the kids were so shy at first they couldn’t even say their own names. “After a week, they’re giggling, laughing and some of the first to get involved in camp activities.”
But the week wasn’t all drills, it was also silly and fun. The 'camp' aspect of the program is perhaps just as important as the training the girls receive, but Wilson said she never expected to have this much fun.
“As Indigenous people, we believe in balance emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally. I think having a healthy amount of fun alongside seriousness is absolutely necessary,” she said.
Following an emotional graduation ceremony where mentors, organizers and first responders gave impromptu speeches telling the girls how proud they were – the group celebrated with cake and a night of dancing. Wilson even snuck off to Value Village to find the girls what she called '80s-style prom dresses to wear to the party.
Sally Stephens called it a week of breaking down barriers. She became a mentor, hoping to give her 15-year-old daughter more options, and said graduation day was a highlight.
“To see the smiles on the young ladies – it’s very inspiring,” said Stephens. “Just to see them interacting with one another, communicating and totally supporting one another.”
Camp Courage was founded on the east coast by Andréa Speranza, who was supported by a local fire department while experiencing homelessness. During that time, she realized she wanted to become a firefighter and went on to build Camp Courage in the hopes of introducing more young women and gender-diverse youth to careers in first response.
Wilson said she couldn’t confirm whether Camp Courage would return to the West Coast or Pearson College next year, but she hopes it will.
For now, she said, they’ll have to wait and see what impact this year’s camp has had.
“I think the ripple effect of making these communities safer is happening here,” said Wilson.
“I wanted them to hear from us: ‘It doesn’t matter if you do this or something else – you can do anything you want, and we’re here to support you.’ I think that was the message we really wanted to get across.”
