Flying Dust woman takes part in transatlantic boat trip

Cheryl Bear is a young woman from Flying Dust First Nation on a trip she will never forget. She’s in England right now, but it wasn’t hours of flights that got her there; she is aboard a ship on an epic transatlantic voyage.

Bear is facilitating 45 Indigenous youth on a ship as part of a program called M’sit No’kmaq – All my Relations. The ship departed at the beginning of August, and just docked over the weekend.

She said the overall mission is to show Indigenous youth they have not only the strength and courage to sail across the Atlantic, but to succeed in life.

“The programs we have done are built around giving them that sense that they are loved,” she said. “It is also to show them they belong and they are important, to empower them by rooting everything we do in culture, ceremony and prayer.”

Bear was contacted because of her background in youth work. She was initially nervous to participate but is thankful she chose to do so.

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“I can honestly say I said no the first time,” she said. “The ocean terrifies me, I get motion sickness easily and I didn’t think I could do it… but here I am on some island in the English Channel enjoying a cup of coffee… it has been amazing to say the least.”

While also on their journey, youth have learned sailing skills and took part in a tall ships race. Participants learned different knots, how to navigate and helm a ship. Bear said recalled “one rough weather day” when a sail ripped in half along the way.

“It’s been a roller coaster for sure,” she said.

The entire experience hasn’t really sunk in, because Bear said the trip has been so busy, She felt everyone involved will come home strengthened by their connections to both nature and each other.

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter @ReporterKath