As humans, no matter where we find ourselves, we all just want to belong. This is especially true for Métis youth, many of whom have been physically or culturally displaced from their traditional roots. Belonging to a largely misunderstood ancestral group, combined with the complex issue of Métis identity, these young people feel especially isolated as they try to find their place in the world. Providing a pathway to cultural connection is critical to instilling pride in young Indigenous Peoples.

Food, dance and shared traditions are important medicine to heal from trauma. For Indigenous Peoples, traditional gatherings such as Pow Wows hold special significance, offering a chance to reconnect and celebrate ceremonies that were nearly lost.

2024 marks a milestone for the Niagara Regional Native Centre as it prepares to host the 10th annual Nurturing Our Roots Pow Wow. Through dances, songs, ceremonies, and stories, the Pow Wow celebrates togetherness, strengthens community ties, and promotes Indigenous heritage, identity, and culture. Over the past decade, Nurturing Our Roots has become a much-loved tradition that draws people of all backgrounds to come together and share in the experience.

The Talitha Koum Society (TK) in Coquitlam, BC has been dedicated to empowering women struggling with addiction, helping them build healthy and fulfilling lives. Through its supportive housing, 12-step programming and life-skills training, TK provides women with the tools they need to recover and thrive.

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.

The Dr. Peter Centre in Vancouver, BC, known for its holistic care approach for individuals facing HIV and other vulnerabilities, is in need of renewed funding to support critical initiatives within the urban Indigenous community in Vancouver.

The Family Centre of Northern Alberta is dedicated to healing the profound impacts of colonization and generational trauma faced by Indigenous communities. Recognizing the legacy of Residential Schools, the 60's Scoop, and other colonial policies, the Centre believes in the power of reconciliation grounded in Indigenous worldviews and teachings.

Growing up in urban centers, Indigenous youth often experience a disconnection from their cultural roots and a lack of access to culturally safe resources and services. Since 2019, the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association (ANFCA) has worked with youth from Friendship Centres across Alberta to address and support the unique needs of urban Indigenous youth.

Indigenous women in Western narratives often face negative stereotypes, perpetuating harmful misconceptions and contributing to real-world challenges – from being more likely to be victims of violence and experiencing racism and prejudice to being denied employment or adequate healthcare. Nokee Kwe, based in London, Ontario, has been addressing this issue through its Positive Voice Program since 2016.

Designed to address the disconnect between urban Indigenous youth and their cultural roots, the Culture Camps have hosted young campers every year in July and August for over 30 years. Camps are taking place in Clarendon Station on the traditional territory of the Anishinabewaki, Treaty 27, and have become communal gathering spaces for learning, traditional ceremonies, and recreational activities.