Film may inspire local effort

Introducing recent immigrants to nature can be an effective way of helping connect them to their news country.

That is clearly the message in the film 'Nature's Invitation' which was screened Friday as part of this year's Yorkton Film Festival.

"Nature's Invitation is a film about Canada's quest to get new immigrants in touch with nature. It also explores the consequences of a life devoid of nature. The documentary follows new immigrants as they explore Canada's national and provincial parks, as part of a new outdoor wilderness program," detailed the Festival program.

Filmmaker Brandy Yanchyk said in a presentation afterwards there are programs going on all over the world which suggest a connection to nature is positive for people, noting in Finland there are people hugging trees in the belief "of the healing power of nature."

Yanchyk continued by saying there is growing evidence hospital patients with nature visible outside their windows "heal faster than somebody that doesn't."

So for new immigrants facing issues of being in a new country, away from family, facing issues of language and new jobs, connecting with nature can have major benefits.

Yanchyk's film, while focusing predominately on a Parks Canada project where new Canadians are given a weekend experience camping in national parks, it also looks at more localized efforts including community gardening efforts involving newcomers.

As part of the screening, members of the Yellowhead Flyway Birding Trail Association took part in a panel discussion. Member WalterFarquharson said their organization has tried to be involved in education, the past three summers hiring a summer student who focused on "working with local schools." He added the YFBTA is primarily about "providing local experiences for local people."

Farquharson said while they have not done a program specifically aimed at connecting recent immigrants to nature here "it has been one of the things that's been talked about It fits with our general purpose which is one of helping people experience more of the world around us."

Yanchyk said it is important organizations, whether Parks Canada, or local ones, become involved because camping has barriers for new immigrants, from the cost of a tent to sleep in, to needing transportation to get from the city to nature spots.

"The biggest challenges are money and time," she said, adding that is where community support in required.