In remote Northern Saskatchewan communities, students who need support face unique pressures compared to peers in southern communities. Mental health and wellness resources are often spread thin, recreational activities can be scarce, and, as in many small communities, students make the leap from elementary to high school in Grade 7.  

In response to these issues, three Saskatoon-based moms established Heart Linked Community Services Co-operative in 2017. Their goal was to provide community-based mental health and wellness resources to these students — and nine years later, the program has grown exponentially to meet the demand. 

Based in Saskatoon, Heart Linked works with the Northern Lights School Division, community leaders, and Indigenous partners to create and deliver a variety of learning experiences to students to address these challenges. 

Providing the Right Tools and Teachings

“We use a combination of virtual programming, a journal, and then an in-person retreat experience to help build up self-esteem, confidence, leadership, and cultural appreciation to help put tools in their tool basket to navigate a healthy, happy life,” said co-founder and Director Cathy Edwards.  

Heart Linked prioritizes collaborative and community-based solutions, making the co-operative model a natural fit.  

“The fundamental premise of a co-op resonated with our group,” said Edwards. “We have always used the mantra ‘It takes a village,’ and as a mother, that is something that is always at the forefront of your mind. You always need help to raise good kids, and it was that mantra that tied in nicely to the co-operative model. [We are] able to incorporate multiple viewpoints, and not have it feel like we were an organization that was trying to be a savior, but more of a collaborator to create pathways and solutions.” 

One of Heart Linked’s Indigenous partners who guides programming is Kendra Weenie, an award-winning author and speaker from Sweetgrass First Nation who acts as the lead facilitator of the retreat program.  

“I grew up with a lot of Cree cultural teachings, so a lot of what I deliver is based around the values and teachings that I grew up with,” Weenie said. “…If it applies, I will share some of those teachings or values, and they’re often able to relate to it in some way. It’s really well received. I can connect really well with young Indigenous girls, because I share a lot of the same challenges that they have [that] I also had in my youth. I really love working with that age group.” 

Responding to a Growing Need

Initially intended to serve female Grade 6 students making the transition to high school, the mission and scale of the co-operative has rapidly expanded, with no signs of slowing down.  

Edwards said the uptick in demand has been massive.  

 “When we first started, it was Grade 6 girls,” she said. “Now, three out of the four communities we work with have boys’ programs with us as well. We’re trying to continue the programming into Grade 7, because we found that although it might seem very simple, it’s such fundamental skills and experiences for these youth that the demand continues to grow. Our task is to try and find funding to support these activities, but the feedback from teachers is that it is one of the most profound experiences that their students have throughout the school year.” 

For students in remote communities, the retreat program provides a unique opportunity for students to try new activities and experiences that aren’t readily available to them. 

“It’s a huge opportunity for confidence-building and relationship-building, allowing them to be social and experience new things, and I think it’s just really great life experience for them,” Weenie said. “They get to try a lot of new things, [for example], foods that they might not have tried before. Learning how to eat healthy is a huge barrier when you’re living in the north [where] produce is very overpriced and not accessible.” 

Using a Co-op for Big Impact

Despite the growing pains that come with such rapid expansion, Edwards, an entrepreneur who owns several businesses, says the co-operative model has helped her manage these challenges. 

“I think the beautiful thing is that there’s a community of support, which is different from being an entrepreneur,” she said. “Being an entrepreneur, you shoulder things, good and bad, independently, and you get used to working that way. [Another mantra] we use all the time is, ‘Many hands make light work’, and that really has been the most notable thing about this organization, people are always willing to help and contribute, even in some small way. One of our donors says ‘Writing a check isn’t enough, we actually want to come and bake the banana bread and do other things to support the retreat,’ so there’s lots of hands-on opportunity for people to get involved, and I think that is what makes it special.” 

The program has made a clear impact on the lives of hundreds of students from northern Saskatchewan; Edwards’ personal favourite moment was when community leaders informed her that one student, who had been selectively mute for years, began speaking to her teachers and peers on the bus ride home from the retreat. She has high hopes that the continued expansion of the program will one day make these moments possible for more students across Saskatchewan, and one day, the country. 

“I’m a dreamer. I think that the one common thread of entrepreneurs is that your dream for anything that you start is that it extends beyond yourself. The lessons we learn in the Heart Linked programming are lessons that are universally needed by every young child, so my dream would be to have features of this program be available to students across Canada.” 

Have an idea for a co-op? Reach out to us at info@cooperativesfirst.com.