Carl Jr. Kodakin-Yakeleya, a Shutagot’ine from the Sahtu region, feels pride when he sees Elders setting snares without snare wires, or while watch youth playing hand games or drums and learning more about their Indigenous culture.

“It's so amazing to see, because I'm in my 30s and when I was a kid or a teenager, we didn't see things like that. So I'm so happy and proud that the youth today are getting out there and doing stuff like this," he said. “And they’re proud, and they are getting out there to learn more of their culture,” he said.

Kodakin-Yakeleya is a spiritual and medicinal teacher who imparts knowledge about medicinal plants, the power of healing and traditional Indigenous values — all to ensure the ways of his ancestors are not forgotten by future generations.

When consider

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