The Youth, Elders, Ecology, Horses, and Health (YEEHAH) project, led by UBC Okanagan researchers Dr. Bill Cohen and Dr. Róisín Seifert in partnership with the Syilx Okanagan Nation, is a pioneering equine-assisted therapy initiative that integrates traditional Sqilxw horse culture, language, and ecological knowledge to support Indigenous youth wellness. Addressing the mental health challenges and cultural disconnection caused by colonization, the project revitalizes horse culture through community camps, mentorship workshops, and stewardship of wild horses, fostering youth engagement with their ancestral practices and the land (tmxʷúlaxʷ). Supported by local organizations and funded through community and research grants, YEEHAH strengthens intergenerational relationships and cultural identity while promoting ecological stewardship.

By reconnecting youth with horses and traditional knowledge, YEEHAH cultivates resilience and a sense of belonging, countering the decline of horse culture in Syilx communities. The project has garnered strong community support, involving elders, horse experts, and youth in land-based activities that affirm Indigenous wellness frameworks. Looking ahead, the team aims to expand mentorship programs, develop long-term wild horse stewardship across Okanagan communities, and offer after-school programs to further embed these cultural and ecological practices, ensuring the continued vitality of Syilx traditions and the wellbeing of future generations.