Thanks to support from the Neighbourhood Small Grant, we were able to carry out our annual Elder Bake Night event!
Our project began the weekend prior to the event, when Youth Leaders KC, Vinny, and Isha gathered to complete essential preparations. Together, they baked more than 150 sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies, and prepared icing and decorations. They also learned how to make sweet, icing sugar–coated cranberries, incorporating a traditional Nuu-chah-nulth food among the many treats. Throughout the process, our Youth Leaders learned how to use electric mixers, roll out dough, make icing, and practice basic baking skills such as measuring, kitchen safety, and hygiene.
The following day, the mułaa team gathered in Ty-Histanis with a big task ahead: decorating all the cookies, making Rice Krispies treats and chocolate haystacks, and carefully packing everything into gift boxes for community delivery. A total of 14 youth attended, each bringing their own creative flair. Some favoured delicate details and sprinkles, while others preferred a more generous helping of icing and candies on their gingerbread! As this event was our final gathering of 2025 before a long holiday break, many of our surf instructors and volunteers joined to help with the work. Youth continued building kitchen and baking skills while making the Rice Krispies and haystacks, and together they packed a total of 30 gift boxes to share with the community.
Decorating and baking this many treats in one evening proved to be a substantial task, so rather than delivering the boxes that same night, our team gathered again two nights later for deliveries. Our first stop was the Ty-histanis Elder Complex, where Elders were delighted to see us and fondly remembered our first Elder Bake Night last year. Youth then delivered additional boxes throughout Ty-histanis and Esowista, with a few even making it to Opitsaht.
By making this event happen, we were able to provide a meaningful opportunity for our youth to engage with members of their community through the practice of giving back. The reciprocity, kindness, and teamwork that shine through this special event are truly heartwarming to witness. We are incredibly proud of all our mułaa youth for their hard work and commitment, showing up over multiple nights to bring this project to life. We are honoured to have received support from the Neighbourhood Small Grant, which made this holiday gathering and celebration possible.
