In recent years, Alderville First Nation in South-Central Ontario had to witness the decimation of its green spaces and tree lines due to an infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive beetle species that has left the community looking barren. Now, to breathe new life into its landscape, the Nation is planning an extensive tree planting and landscaping effort.
In Northern Saskatchewan, many Indigenous families grapple with socio-economic challenges and often have limited access to support services, especially for youth and children. For these communities, fostering a sense of cultural identity and pride among youth is critical for their holistic well-being and community resilience.
St. Louis, a Métis community in Saskatchewan, faces many challenges as the result of colonization and intergenerational trauma – from mental health issues and substance abuse to social issues such as domestic violence and suicide. To foster healing, St. Louis Métis Local, representing over 600 Métis citizens, is launching "Out On The Land," a program that will reconnect community members with their cultural roots and the natural environment.
The Niagara Region Métis Council is led by volunteers who are elected citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario. Every year, the Council organizes an overnight Family Camp where Métis families gather to immerse themselves in Métis traditions, Michif language, land-based living skills, and cultural practices.
With a student body comprised of mostly Indigenous youth, education at Ben Calf Robe School (BCR) in Edmonton, Alberta, is firmly grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing. Central to the school’s mission is the celebration of Indigenous culture and language, nurturing a sense of belonging and community among its students.
The St'át'imc Declaration Gathering is an annual event that brings together the St'át'imc people, a First Nation located in the southern Coast Mountains and Fraser Canyon region of British Columbia.
A Powwow is an opportunity for all people - Indigenous and non-Indigenous - to gather and celebrate Indigenous languages, cultures, and practices. Most importantly, Powwows are a place for Indigenous people to reconnect to each other and find their way home, to their people, language, culture and self-identify.
Ben Calf Robe School (BCR) in Edmonton, Alberta, serves over 450 students, most of whom are Indigenous. The school offers an educational experience deeply rooted in Indigenous culture and ways of knowing, and healing and reconciliation are part of the daily experience for students.
In Waterloo, Ontario, much like in many communities across Canada, Indigenous youth often have strained relationships with the criminal justice system. Historical injustices, systemic biases, and racism have created barriers and distrust.
Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation, located at the head of tide of the Miramichi River in New Brunswick, is taking steps to address the steady decline in Mi’kmaq language speakers. The majority of youth in the community struggle with basic greetings and conversations in Mi’kmaq, prompting the Nation to begin offering language classes for youth and other learners.
