About the project:

Our work as an Indigenous organization is focused on responding to ongoing community needs - with programming opportunities that facilitate positive, authentic, land-based engagement with local Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth and families.

Our goal is to continue for another year with successful youth-focused programming: summer culture camp; youth drop-in nights; and hide tanning camp. Utilizing new and innovative ideas for programming/activities/interests, we can facilitate creative and authentic experiences for youth, in safe and culturally respectful spaces.

So much traditional knowledge and culture has been lost over the last few generations – with the loss of access to land, and the interruption of the passage of teachings between the generations. We want to bring the youth of Waterloo Region together, to learn teachings and skills in a good way – sharing spaces with Elders, Indigenous artists and knowledge-keepers – preparing animal hides, learning about the medicines in the forest and the behaviors of our animal relatives, and simply building relationships during a crafting activity at a drop-in night.

With donors’ help, we can make this programming happen for another year, for the youth of our region.

Where will the project take place:

This youth-focused programming will take place at land-based sites in Waterloo Region. These programs will be open to all youth in the region.