When astronaut Jeremy Hansen spent time with NWT kids

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s number one message to youth? “They have important gifts to offer.”

Hansen spoke with students in Yellowknife, Dettah, Ndılǫ and Łútsël K’é in March 2025, encouraging them to set goals and share those goals with other people.

We first published this article during his visit. We’re republishing it in April 2026 as Hansen and his crewmates head toward the Moon as part of Nasa’s Artemis II mission.

“You will certainly meet challenges when you set goals but, if other people know about what you’re trying to accomplish, they will lift you up,” he said at the time. “They will help you get over those challenges.”

A crowd of eager Yellowknifers gathered at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre for a public presentation to learn about Hansen’s impending trip to the Moon.

During his presentation at the Yellowknife museum, Hansen shared photos and video from the uncrewed Artemis I mission and training completed by Artemis II crew members. He detailed how they plan to accelerate up to 39 times the speed of sound, slingshot around the Moon and then come back to Earth over the span of nine days.

“Canada will be the second country in the world to send a human into deep space,” he told those gathered.

“I think that’s a phenomenal reflection on our country and it’s because we earned it … We have great space innovation and our international partners want it, they want us to contribute.”

Hansen also showcased his mission patch, created by Anishinaabe artist Henry Guimond with the contribution of Elder Dave Courchene III, leader of the Turtle Lodge in Sagkeeng First Nation, Manitoba.

The patch features seven animals representing the seven sacred laws: courage, respect, humility, love, honesty, wisdom and truth. Hansen noted the patch is unable to represent all Indigenous cultures and knowledge across Canada, but does incorporate one perspective.

“I think it’s a beautiful reminder for Canadians of the importance of sitting and listening to the Indigenous perspectives,” he said. “They have a lot to teach us on how to take care of our planet and how we can move forward together.”

Hansen said he wants youth to know there is opportunity in space.

“I truly believe there’s opportunity for Canadians to leverage our genius and expertise in the country to develop space solutions that apply directly here on the planet, and especially in remote communities,” he said.

“Things like growing food, healthcare delivery, using the technologies of the 2020s to change how we can do that and do it better. Create those solutions here on the planet and then take them to space with our international partners.”

Attendees at the public talk had lots of questions. What can astronauts can see from space? What happens if there’s a solar eclipse? What food does Hansen plan to take on the mission?

Hansen said students in Ndılǫ had a list of particularly deep questions, such as how astronauts deal with a fire on a spacecraft.

“I just thought that was neat, that they were thinking those steps ahead,” he said.

Hansen said he learned a lot from northerners during his trip to the NWT.

He said he spoke with Elders, learned about the history of the Dene and was warmly welcomed to communities.