photo: Clearwater River, Nimiipuu Country
Nature Provides.
Our Culture
Does the Rest.
AS NIMIIPUU: HUNTING, FISHING AND GATHERING IS A PART OF US
EXPERIENCES
CULTURAL RESTORATIVE CARE ; engaging our at-risk and underprivileged youth through our own cultural activities focused on hunting, fishing, and gathering.
GUIDANCE
Our mentors have been proven to possess the characteristics needed to lead the Blu Sky team. Their work and dedication toward these very efforts over the past several years, in providing guidance and mentorship to our at-risk children, has sparked the wish to create this permanent program. It is their devotion and commitment that gives us the confidence that we can build upon what this group has unknowingly started.
Danielle Scott
University of Idaho Extension Educator for the Nez Perce Tribe
Brooklyn Baptiste
Nez Perce Tribe Opioid Response Manager
Leotis McCormack
Nez Perce Tribe CPS Caseworker
These mentors have dedicated / volunteered much of their lives to enable youth participation in cultural activities and programs before Blu Sky; and they will continue that through the work of this foundation. All Blu Sky proceeds will cover costs such as transportation, supplies, and other essential resources needed for the kids we're able to help.
CULTURAL RESTORATIVE CARE
Cultural Restorative Care intends to narrow the gap in mental health recovery and stability for youth and connect our young people with opportunities and experiences. We live in a rural location where youth mental health services are not readily available and rural youth are impacted with higher prevalence of social emotional behavioral inflictions.
Through the implementation of Cultural Restorative Care, we aim to enhance the mental health and overall well-being of our youth by providing supportive measures grounded in cultural relevance that empower them to cultivate resilience, foster social connections, restore trust both internally within themselves as well as externally towards others around them.
(Clear) Blu Sky will engage youth suffering from social emotional stress, depression and anxiety with culturally and community engaged mentors in the below sponsored activities and others.
SPONSORED ACTIVITES
ONGOING
• Archery Safety/ Skills
• Hunting Safety/ Skills
• Fishing Basics/ Dip Net/ Gaffing
• Big Game Calling
OUTINGS
• Overnight Trips to Buffalo Country for Buffalo Hunt
• Day Trips Columbia/Rapid River to Harvest Salmon
• Various Day Trips locations to gather Roots and Berries
• Overnight Camp Outs to learn big game tracking/calling
(Clear) Blu Sky Founders,
Jessie (girl) and
Jesse (boy) Leighton
BLU SKY BEGINNINGS
(Clear) Blu Sky was formed officially, as a reaction to something that broke, yet at the same time, filled my heart. In 2021 my (now) middle son Lake, a junior in high school, during a bumpy couple of years (uprooting/relocating at a tough age followed by a year of homeschooling/ isolation through the COVID pandemic) was secretly battling through bouts of depression. He was hurting. He never really showed signs of anything like that but one day asked if he could get help to see and meet with a counselor or therapist. As a father that has always spoiled his kids with everything i didn’t have, I felt devastated. Helpless. Whatever love and support I thought to be enough, simply wasn’t. Providing a loving, safe and healthy home - wasn’t working. As a parent I was honestly terrified. Therapy seemed to help him, some. It gave me some feeling of relief. But I wanted to keep him close. I created a summer internship for him to work with some of my closest friends, all ‘the guys’, his quote-unquote uncles, just so he would be nearby, and under watch. Lake spent that summer working the days away with his ‘uncles’, but more importantly, he spent his spare time with them as well - doing things I didn’t make time for in these important years as a youth. This part of Lakes experience was eye-opening for me. The ‘guys’ pulled him into their circle, making him an integral part of ‘the crew’; living and breathing all the things I set aside - for work. That summer Lake didn’t just ‘experience’ all the activities that (Clear) Blu Sky makes readily available to our Nimiipuu youth, he lived and breathed what we know as the Nimiipuu way of life - hunt, fish, gather. Honestly, it was beautiful. I’m convinced Lake found himself that summer (and I rediscovered missing parts me). I no longer have to worry about him. He now knows who he is. And he, like me, loves my brothers (his uncles) beyond description; the closeness of us (Nimiipuu) and the necessary connection we have with nature. It’s has a big impact on all of us - it’s what makes us… us. Our kids need this more than we know. Welcome, (Clear) Blu Sky. Jesse Leighton
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
Explore the Be.Spirit Vibe
photo: Yellowstone Buffalo, Nimiipuu Country
(Clear) Blu Sky is a privately held Foundation that operates under the Nez Perce Tribe's 501(C)(3) Wisteqn'eemit