The Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association's (ANFCA) visionary initiative, "Indigenous Youth Rise Up," stands as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and empowerment. ANFCA's program embodies a commitment to fostering leadership and reconciliation among urban Indigenous youth across Alberta.

At the heart of "Indigenous Youth Rise Up" lies a profound recognition of Indigenous youth as the torchbearers of tomorrow, entrusted with the responsibility to shape the future in accordance with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Guided by the wisdom of ANFCA Elders Wisdom Circle members, and survivors of residential schools, the program facilitates a dialogue of reconciliation and action, igniting a spark of change within the hearts and minds of Indigenous youth.

Through a series of immersive experiences, including in-person reconciliation discussions and virtual gatherings, ANFCA empowers youth to delve into the complexities of reconciliation, Indigenous governance, and civic engagement. Multigenerational learning opportunities with Elders and Knowledge Keepers enrich these discussions, infusing them with Indigenous wisdom and survivor perspectives, thus nurturing a deep understanding of TRC and UNDRIP principles.

“Indigenous Youth Rise Up" empowers its participants to reclaim their heritage and stride confidently toward a future imbued with hope and possibility. Through the steadfast support of the Future Generations Foundation, ANFCA's program exemplifies a beacon of resilience, empowerment, and reconciliation for Indigenous communities across Alberta and beyond.

Alberta Native Friendship Centers Association

At the heart of "Indigenous Youth Rise Up" lies a profound recognition of Indigenous youth as the torchbearers of tomorrow, entrusted with the responsibility to shape the future in accordance with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Guided by the wisdom of ANFCA Elders Wisdom Circle members, survivors of residential schools, the program facilitates a dialogue of reconciliation and action, igniting a spark of change within the hearts and minds of Indigenous youth.

In the heart of Syilx territory, the Syilx Language House (SLH) is nurturing a resurgence of the Syilx language and culture through its Adult Fluency & Community Program. This innovative initiative, now in its third year of funding from the Future Generations Foundation, encompasses a range of activities aimed at fostering fluency, community engagement, and cultural preservation.

Building upon eight years of successful language fluency efforts, SLH staff are immersed in delivering sequenced language instruction to learners. Through intense study sessions, participants delve into the complexities of the Salish Curriculum, with a focus on achieving intermediate proficiency by June 2024. Despite past challenges posed by the COVID pandemic, SLH has adapted its approach, leveraging technology to expand its reach and recruit highly skilled students.

As a cornerstone of the program, SLH diligently collects and shares elder recordings, serving as a source of advanced literature for language and culture learners. These recordings are meticulously archived, transcribed, and freely shared online, contributing to the preservation of traditional knowledge and fostering a deeper understanding of Syilx heritage.

SLH extends its impact beyond the classroom through a variety of community programs catering to both children and adults. From daycare language games to evening classes for adults, SLH is dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible language education opportunities for all members of the community.

As SLH empowers learners to become ambassadors of the Syilx language and culture, it is sowing the seeds of a vibrant and resilient future for the Sylix people.

Ambassadors of the Syilx language and culture

In the heart of Syilx territory, the Syilx Language House (SLH) is a beacon of cultural revival. In its third year of FG Foundation funding, SLH's Adult Fluency & Community Program is cultivating a linguistic resurgence. SLH's provides adult fluency recordings, evening classes and even delivers a community program in daycare language games to the Boys and Girl club. Thanks to Future Generations funding, SLH empowers teachers and elders to guide this transformation, cultivating a future where Syilx language and culture thrive.

Carisa Naistus, hailing from Onion Lake Cree Nation, embodies the spirit of perseverance and community upliftment. Despite facing difficult challenges, Carisa is enrolled in an accounting and strategic measurement program showing her persistent commitment to personal growth but also the advancement of her Indigenous community.

Regardless of intergenerational trauma, stemming from the residential and day school systems, Carisa's desire is to provide a better future for her two young children. Her educational pursuit serves as a guiding light for her family and community, leading as an example for a better path toward empowerment and prosperity. Combined with her educational commitments, Carisa is also actively involved in band meetings and community initiatives, offering support and guidance to those in need.

With unwavering strength of character and a heart dedicated to community upliftment, Carisa exemplifies the transformative power of education and the resilience of the Cree spirit. Her journey stands as a testament of perseverance and encouragement for Indigenous youth, poised to shape a future defined by empowerment and opportunity.

The Shäwthän Näzhì: Recovery Support Program, is a transformative journey of healing and recovery for Yukon First Nations individuals. The Shäwthän Näzhì program, supported by the Arctic Inspiration Prize Charitable Trust, the Future Generations Foundation, the Council of Yukon First Nations, the Yukon Government, True North Aid and YSPOR, is poised to address the urgent need for aftercare and recovery support among Yukon First Nation communities struggling with addiction.

This Recovery Support Program takes a holistic approach combining various healing modalities, including equine, animal, and art therapy, energy and body healing, trauma and attachment therapies, and First Nation ceremonies and wisdom. With a focus on Indigenous worldviews and methodologies, the program is grounded through a variety of land-based activities.

As Shäwthän Näzhì unfolds, it aims to empower Indigenous communities to run local programs, bridging the gap between addiction treatment and sustained recovery. With the support of the generous supporting funders, this program makes a profound and lasting impact, nurturing resilience and healing among Yukon First Nation’s citizens.

Empowering Healing and Recovery for Yukon First Nations

The Shäwthän Näzhì: Recovery Support Program, is a transformative journey of healing and recovery for Yukon First Nations individuals. The Shäwthän Näzhì program, supported by the Arctic Inspiration Prize Charitable Trust, the Future Generations Foundation, Council of Yukon First Nations, Yukon Government, True North Aid and YSPOR, is poised to address the urgent need for aftercare and recovery support among Yukon First Nation communities struggling with addiction.

As Shäwthän Näzhì unfolds, it aims to empower Indigenous communities to run local programs, bridging the gap between addiction treatment and sustained recovery. With the support of generous supporting funders, this program makes a profound and lasting impact, nurturing resilience and healing among Yukon First Nation’s citizens.

The Native Communications Society (NCS) is leading a pioneering initiative aimed at empowering Indigenous youth by preserving language and culture. Through the creation of the 'Indigenous Language Digital Culture Tool,' NCS perserves Indigenous heritage and has created a deeper understanding of ancestral language and culture among future generations in the North.

At its core, the project is focused on ensuring that Northern youth have access to timely, relevant, and engaging tools for learning their ancestral languages. With guidance from experts in the educational field, the program employs innovative strategies and digital platforms to offer authentic language learning experiences.

Beyond language acquisition, the project seeks to cultivate meaningful connections between youth and their elders. By encouraging exploration of heritage and folklore in a fun and secure environment, the project aims to deepen youths' understanding of their ancestral language and culture while fostering stronger bonds with their elders.

This journey has already planted the seeds for a vibrant and resilient future for Indigenous youth in the Northwest Territories. With the generous support of the Future Generations Foundation, the 'Indigenous Language Digital Culture Tool' project is poised to leave a lasting impact, empowering youth to reclaim and celebrate their language and cultural heritage.

Empowering Indigenous Youth through Language and Culture

Yvonne Wyss's educational journey is driven by her passion for preserving Indigenous knowledge and cultural history. Aspiring to pursue a master’s degree, Yvonne focuses on research and learning the traditional teachings of cedar, wool, and plant medicines within her ancestral territory.

Central to her academic endeavor is the republishing of her great grandfather's inspiring work, "Conversations with Khahtsahlano," which will serve as her doctoral thesis. She aims to infuse this work with decolonized perspectives and Indigenous research methodologies. Yvonne's goal is not merely academic; it is a cultural reclamation effort aimed at revitalizing her community's identity and history.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Yvonne seeks one-on-one mentorship with an elder and knowledge keeper to immerse herself in language learning and traditional teachings.

Yvonne's journey is not just about acquiring knowledge; it's about reclaiming identity, healing cultural wounds, and empowering future generations. With her dedication, resilience, and the support of the Future Generations Foundation, Yvonne Wyss embodies the spirit of cultural resurgence and academic excellence.

Revitalizing Culture Through Academic Pursuit

Eucharia Ogoms, a first-generation university student from Winnipeg, Manitoba and a member of Poplar River First Nation, embodies perseverance and dedication. Despite initial struggles, she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration, earning a spot on the Dean's Honours List multiple times with a GPA of 3.55.

Eucharia's commitment to her community is unwavering. From serving as a Human Resources Officer at Shawenim Abinoojii to her current role at the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development Inc, she actively supports Indigenous individuals in pursuing their goals.

Now enrolled in a master’s program in Human Resource Management at the University of Regina, Eucharia aims to break down barriers and provide equal opportunities for all. Her dedication to empowering Indigenous youth is evident as she works to foster cultural connectedness and provide access to resources and support.

Eucharia's story serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and community engagement, leaving a lasting impact on Indigenous empowerment.

Frazer Dodd, a dedicated member of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nations community, empowers Indigenous youth through education and sports. Currently pursuing a degree in Biology, Frazer aims to become a teacher, shaping young minds and fostering community pride. With a GPA of 3.32, he excels both academically and athletically as a member of the Alvernia University NCAA Division 3 team.

Frazer volunteers his time coaching local sports teams and providing one-on-one hockey skill development for First Nations youth. As an educational assistant in a predominantly First Nations school, Frazer's positive impact on students' lives is undeniable, earning him the respect and admiration of both colleagues and pupils alike.

Frazer plans to continue coaching, running intramural lunch programs, and advocating for healthy lifestyle choices among students. Supported by a scholarship from Future Generation Foundation, he can focus on his studies and community, easing the financial burden of American tuition fees and living expenses.

Frazer Dodd's story is one of resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment to uplifting his community, leading a legacy of empowerment and opportunity for Indigenous youth.

Pioneering Educator and Community Champion

Hailing from Pine Creek First Nation in Manitoba, Matthew Parenteau's path has been marked by both personal struggles and professional dedication as a social worker with West Region Child and Family Services.

Rooted in his traditional upbringing, Matthew has been a steadfast participant in ceremony since 2013, drawing strength and guidance from ancestral teachings. However, family challenges have posed to be significant obstacles to his spiritual journey. Financial constraints have prevented Matthew from attending ceremonies and accessing the healing he so desperately needs.

Despite these challenges, Matthew remains determined in his commitment to cultural reconnection and personal healing. Through the Future Generations Foundation's support, Matthew participated in a series of healing and cultural ceremonies, including Sundance, fasting, and sweat lodge ceremonies. These ceremonies offer not only spiritual nourishment but also opportunities for reconciliation and healing from past traumas.

Matthew's involvement in his First Nation and Métis community, coupled with his professional experience in child welfare, positions him as a valuable advocate for cultural preservation and healing. Matthew is inspired to pass on these invaluable teachings to his children, peers, clients, and community members.

Nurturing Tradition Through Healing and Cultural Reconnection

Patrick Stubbington's journey from a traumatic childhood to university success is a testament to resilience. A Sixties Scoop survivor from Saik'uz First Nation, Patrick endured severe abuse before finding solace in academics. Despite learning disabilities, he pursued an Environmental Planning degree, with the help of a Future Generations Foundation scholarship at the University of Northern British Columbia.

Patrick’s advocacy extends beyond academics; he actively engages in mental health discussions, facilitating panels at UNBC. As an Indigenous Ambassador, he fosters dialogue on critical issues. Patrick's dedication also extends to his community, advocating for sustainable projects for future generations. Through perseverance and community engagement, Patrick embodies hope and empowerment.

Overcoming Trauma to Pursue Environmental Advocacy

The Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve is an Anishinaabe First Nation nestled in the forests and prairies near Roblin, Manitoba. The community’s total population is just under 1,500, with 670 people living on-reserve. 

The small community is close to many idyllic feats of nature, including the Duck Mountain Provincial Forest, making it the perfect place for hikers and those seeking a connection with the land. Over the summer of 2022, the Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve hosted a project called the “TTR Youth Training Camp” with the help of funding from the FG Foundation. The project trained17 youths to become registered hunting and backcountry guides. 

Seeing the potential to be stewards of the land and the opportunities it would bring for its young people living in community, the program offered a pathway for youth to build a career in the wilderness industry. The program sought knowledge from Elders and traditional on-the-land teachings to guide the curriculum. Participants were given the opportunity to partake in the Manitoba Hunting Safety Course, wilderness safety, survival training, wildlife awareness, predator safety training, and on-the-land training.

Through fostering a deeper connection between the community’s youth and Elders, and a combination of traditional knowledge and modern safety practices, the TTR Youth Training Camp project opened pathways for youth to achieve their goals and earn their certifications. 

Thanks to the program’s teachings, many of the community’s youth can see themselves building a future and a career in Tootinaowaziibeeng, lending their new-found expertise to visitors and future generations for years to come.

To learn more about the TTR Youth Training Camp, visit the website here.

The Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve is an Anishinaabe First Nation near Roblin, Manitoba, close to Duck Mountain Provincial Forest, making it the perfect place for hikers and those seeking a connection with the land. 

Over the summer of 2022, the Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve hosted the project “TTR Youth Training Camp” with the help of funding from the FG Foundation. The project trained 17 youths to become registered hunting and backcountry guides. The program sought knowledge from Elders and traditional on-the-land teachings to guide the curriculum. Participants were given the opportunity to partake in the Manitoba Hunting Safety Course, wilderness safety, survival training, wildlife awareness, predator safety training, and on-the-land training.

Edward Martin is an Intergenerational Survivor from Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation who, with the help of an FG Foundation scholarship, is currently studying to receive his Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Victoria. 

During his early adulthood, Martin experienced many of the challenges that other young Indigenous men face but had the addition of coming out as gay. This tumultuous time in his life was compounded by the pain of witnessing Survivors of the Residential Schools System, including his own mother, begin to come forward and tell their stories. Although Edward wished to pursue a higher education to help his people, the anger he felt prevented him from doing so.

Without a formal education, Edward had limited opportunities for career development and upward mobility and in 2018, he left his employment as a Veterans Services agent. Determined to be successful and to keep performing the work he loved, Edward decided to pursue post-secondary education. He earned his Diploma of Indigenous Studies from Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia, in 2020.

In 2022, Edward applied for, and was awarded, a scholarship through the FG Foundation, which would help him pay for his Bachelor of Social Work Degree at the University of Victoria – something which he describes as a ‘huge relief’. 

“This scholarship made me cry,” says Edward. “Literally, I was laying in bed when I received the email, and I jumped out of bed and fell back down and the tears just fell.”

With the help of his FG Foundation scholarship, Edward entered a paid practicum in December 2022, and continues to achieve good grades in his program. Edward is excited to walk across the graduation stage in fall of 2023, and says he is grateful for the support of the FG Foundation, his mother and family, his “rockstar” husband, his professors, and Listuguj First Nation.

Edward has had a challenging road to his success but is excited to walk across the graduation stage in fall of 2023, and says he is grateful for the support of the FG Foundation, his mother and family, his “rockstar” husband, his professors, and Listuguj First Nation.

The Saskatoon Survivors Circle (SSC) was founded in 2019 with the principle: “nothing for us, without us” to ensure that, unlike institutions offering similar assistance, the services and activities provided by SSC were not “token or paternalistic.”

They started as a support network for Residential School Survivors in Saskatoon and the surrounding area with four main priorities: Cultural Connectedness, Holistic Wellness, First Nations, Métis, non-Indigenous Inclusion, and Systemic Change. Using the FG Foundation monies which come from the surplus from the IRRS Settlement Agreement, the Survivors have created a safe space to connect with one another, share their experiences, learn, heal, and create a community. 

Thanks to their commitment to these principles – and to their community – the SSC has now grown its network of Residential School Survivors to over one hundred members. The Survivors at SSC, who are known to Saskatoon’s Indigenous community as a group of honoured and respected Knowledge Keepers, are often called upon as consultants by educators, advocates, and policymakers throughout the City of Saskatoon. With the continued support of the FG Foundation, and the hard work of volunteers and Survivors, the SSC has forged lasting cultural connections with their network through traditional craft, ceremony and technology and has become an organized, dynamic support group for its members in the City of Saskatoon.

Survivors of Residential Schools have endured devastating mental, physical, and spiritual harms which the SSC aims to address through holistic methods of healing and wellness, engaging in difficult conversations with Knowledge Keepers, and creating a path toward an “Indigenous sense of self.”

One of the many achievements of SSC in 2022 was to incorporate voices from Elders and Survivors into a manual for Indigenous estate planning, called When the Time Comes - A Guide for End-of-Life Planning for Indigenous People.

The SSC intends to continue creating awareness around the legacy of Residential Schools and building opportunities and healing pathways for Survivors and members.

The Saskatoon Survivors Circle (SSC) was founded in 2019 with the principle: “nothing for us, without us” to ensure that, unlike institutions offering similar assistance, the services and activities provided by SSC were not “token or paternalistic.” The SSC is a support network for Residential School Survivors with four main priorities: Cultural Connectedness, Holistic Wellness, First Nations, Métis, and Non-Indigenous Inclusion, and Systemic Change.

With the continued support of the FG Foundation, and the hard work of volunteers and Survivors, the SSC has forged lasting cultural connections with their network through traditional craft, ceremony and technology and has become an organized, dynamic support group for its members in the city of Saskatoon.

The Waseskun Healing Centre was founded in 1988 near Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez, QC, with a mission to aid the healing process of incarcerated Indigenous men, while guiding their successful re-entry into their families, communities, and Nations. 

The non-profit, Indigenous-led organization collaborates with local First Nations communities and Elders who share their knowledge of tradition, ceremony, and how to live well. Through these and other land-based teachings, residents at Waseskun learn how to accept responsibility for their actions and to understand the consequences they have created for themselves and others.

In the spring of 2021, a grant from the FG Foundation helped Waseskun Healing Centre launch a new program to aid its residents in obtaining long-term employment, formal education, and more. 

The Barbara Monture Malloch Education Resource Centre (BMMERC) offered residents practical skills courses in safely operating power tools and light construction equipment, as well as preparatory classes for undertaking the standardized high school equivalency test (GED). 

The BMMERC also granted residents access to a new library, complete with new computer equipment, which allowed them to improve their literacy skills and technological proficiency. Not only did this empower residents to improve their career prospects for the future, but it also enabled many to embark on personal research projects involving Indigenous language, community, family, tradition, heritage, and reconciliation.

The Waseskun Healing Centre says plans for the BMMERC include negotiations for residents to get hands-on training while working on local construction projects, the development of a carpentry training course, and the implementation of a higher education program for residents. 

Barbara Monture Malloch Education Resource Centre

The Waseskun Healing Centre is a non-profit, Indigenous-led organization focused on the healing of incarcerated Indigenous men and their successful re-entry into their communities. 

Last year, a grant from the FG Foundation helped Waseskun Healing Centre and The Barbara Monture Malloch Education Resource Centre (BMMERC) offer courses in operating power tools and light construction equipment, as well as preparatory classes for the high school equivalency test (GED). 

The program also supported a new library, including computer equipment, empowering residents to improve their career prospects. 

The Mary Duncan School is located in the small town of The Pas, MB, bordered by the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. The school offers alternative programming, allowing students to complete the regular high school curriculum at a pace that meets their individual needs. 

In Sept. 2021, students saw a new addition to the curriculum – the “Reclaiming Indigenous Knowledge in Public Schools” program was implemented with the support by the FG Foundation. The program aimed to bring traditional land-based Northern Cree and Metis teachings to grades 7 through 12.

Young people had the opportunity to earn high school credits while learning in First Nations, Metis and Inuit studies. Activities included drumming, beading, and ribbon skirt making workshops, and taking part in other land-based activities.

The land-based activities the students took part in reflected the changing seasons: in the fall, they prepared, canned, and stored food for the winter; in the winter, they learned how to trap animals, snowshoe, and survive in harsh weather conditions. 

Students were also taught traditional Northern Cree methods of food preparation, such as how to make pemmican, stews, soups, and Bannock.

Prior to the program’s implementation, many of the students had limited experience to land-based learning. The “Reclaiming Indigenous Knowledge in Public Schools” program gave students at the Mary Duncan School an opportunity to explore their culture, traditions, and a connection to the land. This program has allowed school administrators to experience and share daily smudge ceremonies, a new experience for some students.

If you want to learn more about the Mary Duncan School, follow this link.

Mary Duncan School (Kelsey School District)

Reclaiming Indigenous Knowledge in Public Schools

The Mary Duncan School in Manitoba founded its seasonal land-based learning program in Sept. 2021 in an effort to decolonize public school education.

The “Reclaiming Indigenous Knowledge in Public Schools” program, supported by the FG Foundation, was a six-month endeavor to introduce traditional Northern Cree and Metis teachings to students from grades 7 to 12. 

Young people had the opportunity to earn high school credits while learning in First Nations, Metis and Inuit studies. Activities include drumming, beading, and ribbon skirt making workshops, and taking part in other land-based activities.

Joy O’Brien is a residential school survivor who, with the support of the FG Foundation and her family is gaining the traditional knowledge of moose hide tanning. Joy is not only a survivor, but also an intergenerational survivor whose goal is to bring hide tanning skills back into her family line and pass along the knowledge to her children and grandchildren. 

Joy was able to join a moose hunt with her family, where they travelled on the land by foot and machine to learn to find signs of moose. During the harvesting, the group learned how to take great care and pay respect to the animal for giving up its life, how to use only what is needed and to use all that is harvested. Joy had the chance to listen to her traditional language and speak the words related to moose hunting and hide tanning. She also leaned all the steps in producing a quality moose hide. Her time out on the land gave her the opportunity to strengthen family connections, learn important cultural skills, and new teachings to share with family and the people she works with.  

The Community of Membertou and its Elders recognize the importance of sharing culture and history with all people and believe that this sharing and celebration must come from the community itself. With support from the FG Foundation, the Membertou Heritage Park launched the Kun'tewiktuk: A Celebration of Mi'kmaq Art, Music, and Culture program, an arts program that fosters the growth of the next generation of Mi’kmaw artists. 

Aspiring young artists received a bursary and were paired with a mentor for periodic one on one training. All participants were nominated through Membertou First Nation, for the six-to-seven-month program.  The young artists specialties include photography, beadwork, and painting. The mentors worked with the artists through virtual workshops to introduce viewers to the craft, discuss the cultural & historical significance, and teach key practices & techniques for those interested in pursuing opportunities in each artists’ discipline. 

These mentorships provided the young artists a chance to hone their skills, learn from a respected artist, and carve a new path to success. The final stages of the program will see the artists creating and having the chance to showcase their work inside the Membertou Heritage Park, a community space that offers a living history of the people of Membertou. Over the course of the project, Kun'tewktuk has documented the journey of these young artists and share their experiences and artistic creations.  View it here. The workshops were recorded and posted online to be shared with viewers across Turtle Island. 

Kun'tewiktuk: A Celebration of Mi'kmaq Art, Music, and Culture

Taylor has challenged herself with an educational goal to achieve a Juris Doctor degree from a law school, and this May, she completed that goal by becoming a member of the graduating class from Queen’s Law in Kingston in 2022. Taylor is now planning to return to her community of Akwesasne to practice law and immerse herself in community work relating to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, adults, and elders. 

The scholarships Taylor received from the FG Foundation have helped with tuition and eased the stress of the transition from home to university. With the help of the FG Foundation, Taylor was able to stress less about finances and focus more on her studies to reach her goals. 

To foster community and personal development, the Journey to my Best Self program focuses on healing and reconciliation for the people in the Akaitcho region, specifically for the Smith's Landing First Nation, Salt River First Nation, and the Northwest Territories Métis membership. 

The program is a culture-based program that created opportunities to heal for personal development. The program hosted a variety of cultural and educational activities with an emphasis on historical policies and interventions that have deeply disrupted the intergenerational exchange of traditional knowledge.

The facilitated workshops focused on helping participants identify personal wellness goals to work towards and created a welcoming place to hold talking circles and discuss the intergenerational residential school traumas that affects their region. Participants taught Dene traditional values, laws, and relationships and learned how to build on them for a positive future. Participants also explored different communication tools, traditional crafting, arts lessons and cultural skills like moose hide tanning, ribbon skirt and shirt making. The group included adults of all ages including Elders and residential school survivors. 

The program was created with hopes to help the people to recognize their own value, connect to inner strengths and inner resources within themselves and grow as strong Dene.

The Peguis Foundation Inc. Spirit and the Land Excursion Camp brought 116 youth out on the land to experience culture, music, arts, and land-based learning through eight different day camps. The planning team was committed to get youth outside and on the land during different seasons, even under the pandemic conditions. Each camp day started with a ceremony lead by community Elders and each had a different focus. 

The many camps focused on several themes: Elder care and how youth can be more helpful and supportive to our community elders; camps on traditional craft making skills of ribbon skirts, shirts, shields, moccasins and drum making; on the land medicine picking, medicine pouches and teachings; the sweat lodge camp included the material gathering of wood and rocks; the land based skills of fishing and lunch preparation on the local beaver pond.

These camps brought Elders and Youth together and each day’s activities brought excitement and positive learning experience. The program helped bring youth together and helped strengthen family connections through cultural programming and teachings. 

“By planting seeds in our own lands, we reinforce our connection to the land and the Seeds”. 

The Kenhtè:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Centre (KSSLC), located in Tyendinaga is home to a 40-year-old living collection of almost 300 seed varieties. The support of the FG Foundation has allowed Kenhtè:ke Seed Sanctuary to share this knowledge of food and seed sovereignty with the next generations and previous ones’ too. The gardener on-site at the KSSLC is teaching youth assistants and volunteers how to maintain the seed collection, the practice of seed saving, sorting, packaging, labelling, storage, best practices, traditional gardening techniques, what it means to grow on a rotating schedule, and sharing seeds within the collective. The lessons shared while out on the land.  

This project is an ongoing cultural revitalization process for the community. The KSSLC has created an environment where community members can learn traditional Rotinonhsyón:ni cosmology, practices, protocols, and languages. Different lessons on the importance of seeds and how they are incorporated into the Creation Story of Rotinonhsyón:ni people and how they are critical to the continuance of the Onkwehonwe connection to Tyonnhéhkwen - our life sustainers. The KSSLC sharing has fostered youth learning, volunteerism, continues to connect local schools and senior groups, and provides a pathway for knowledge sharing for future generations. The outreach and training efforts that have been accomplished with the project have impacted Tyendinaga especially, and even reached other Mohawk communities like Kanehsatà:ke with online seed saving events.   

Kenhtè:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Centre

Caleb is working to earn his degree in finance and accounting and then is aiming to go into business or law administration. He is a student-athlete at the University of Regina, training hard to make the Cougars basketball team. He credits the FG Foundation for helping him find balance between his studies, athletic commitments, and working a job. The financial support provided by the FG Foundation has allowed Caleb the freedom to work part time. Caleb is also the youth delegate at the O Tee Paym Soo Wk Métis Local where his role is to support youth programming including sport, healthy living, and leadership.  Caleb is proud to be a Métis student-athlete and hopes he can be a positive role model for other Métis students and young people. 

Caleb is working to earn his degree in finance and accounting and then is aiming to go into business or law administration. He is a student-athlete at the University of Regina, training hard to make the Cougars basketball team. He credits the FG Foundation for helping him find balance between his studies, athletic commitments, and working a job. 

Healing, Empowerment, Education and Employment Project

Mosquito Grizzly Bears Head Lean Man (MGBHLM) First Nation is an Assiniboine Nation located in the Eagle Hills of Saskatchewan with just over 1000 members. The HEEEP program was designed to support unemployed youth and adults who are struggling with the intergenerational impact of Residential Schools, leaving too many in a despair state. Support from the FG Foundation and MGBHLM Economic Development helped the community empower unemployed community members to make positive changes in their lives, family lives and great community lives. 

The intensive 6-month holistic healing program provided participants with the chance to attend healing circles, feasts, and MGBHLM history lessons including the history of the signatory in Treaty 4 & 6, and language teachings hosted by an Elder and employment training services. The participants gained one week training for safety tickets, life skills training which included a 1-week practicum within a business owned by MGBHLM Economic Development. These program offerings created a sense of belonging, connection to culture, positive experiences, and sense of pride in their history and strength in knowing of the Warriors who came before.  

Throughout the duration of the program, participants focused on the personal holistic development and importance of family values and connection. The healthy environment generated will support the community to move forward, explore new ways of being and hopefully help set participant on a future path of success.

Mosquito Grizzly Bears Head Lean Man First Nation

The Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre (MICEC) was founded to address the devastating effects of Canada’s assimilation policy towards First Nations people and proactively works to support First Nations people reclaim their cultures, languages, and education in Manitoba. With the support of FG Foundation, the MICEC hired an online learning coordinator and created 18 different videos to educate and share Indigenous cultures and languages in Manitoba. The MICEC selected educational topics of parenting, crafting, language, harvesting, storytelling, history, and treaties to share with their audiences and throughout the duration of the project they had a over 10,000 viewers including 150 residential school survivors. 

MICEC Online highlighted and provided a platform for individuals to share their knowledge, talents, skills, and stories with viewers and connect them with the people, communities and organizations who are revitalizing Indigenous languages and cultures.  By creating videos and online content it allowed a larger community to connect with knowledge keepers, activists, and leaders to find wellness in this time. 

Interested in learning how to peyote stitch or sew your own ribbon shirt? Click here. Or you can explore videos on parenting, language, harvestings, storytelling, history, and treaties from MICEC online here. 

Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre Inc. 

Community Connections Online Learning Program (MICEC Online) 

The Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre (MICEC) was founded to address the devastating effects of Canada’s assimilation policy towards First Nations people and proactively works to support First Nations people reclaim their cultures, languages, and education in Manitoba. With the support of FG Foundation, the MICEC hired an online learning coordinator and created 18 different videos to educate and share Indigenous cultures and languages in Manitoba. 

The Odawa Native Friendship Centre originally aimed to create a series of recordings of Algonquin elders speaking language for young viewers. However, with pandemic restrictions in place and the need to protect elders, the Odawa Friendship Centre modified the program and has instead brought the Early Years Algonquin Language and Cultural Introduction program online for viewers with little ones between the ages of 0-6. 

For many viewers, these language lessons are their first-time hearing and learning to pronounce words. By centering the lessons around everyday words and phrases such as greetings, counting to 10, daily phrases for napping and waking up, the program encourages the daily use of the language. 

The videos were created for young minds to cultivate engagement with language and takes the approach of immersing young ones in cultural learning via video. The videos are also shared with network of Indigenous childcare facilities in the region.

With the change in program, the Friendship Centre was also able to expand to include words and phrases in Mohawk and Cree language. The lessons included animal names, counting, Special Day messages, the colours and more. The program not only helped bring language and culture into many homes across the Ottawa region, but it also helped build confidence and capacity in staff by encouraging them to use language daily and teaching them to include culture in program planning on a regular basis. 

You can check out some of the language videos on the Odawa Native Friendship Centre Facebook page here. 

Early Years Algonquin Language and Cultural Introduction 

Krista Collier-Jarvis is a proud Mi’kmaw pursuing a PhD in English at Dalhousie University. With the help of the FG Foundation, she has been able to focus on her research and goals of integrating Indigenous ways of knowing, bring her research into the classroom, share at conferences, contribute to academic journals, and mentor other students.

Krista’s academic career has given her the opportunity to engage in Talking Circles, join discussions surrounding decolonizing museum spaces, bring her recent research on Netukulimk and Etuaptmumk into the classrooms, work on collaborative research on Indigenous Métissage, and write for the Dalhousie University blog, OpenThink about the unmarked grave sites at residential schools on Turtle Island.  Krista’s research builds upon her American gothic work and New Wave Indigenous culture that provides an interdisciplinary approach to Indigenous Gothic film and literature. She has also published writings on contagion and Indigenous survival stories. You can read Krista’s published OpenThink articles here. 

Located in the northwest region of Winnipeg, the Seven Oaks School Division runs the Ojibwe Bilingual Language Program. The program is an FG Foundation multi-year beneficiary and has been supported by the Trust Fund since 2017. Now in its’ fifth year, the program has grown with the students from kindergarten to grade 5 and is now entering the Middle Years. When the program first began, there were 100 youth enrolled in the language immersion lessons and today, the program reaches 133 First Nations and Métis students. The language program has played an important role in many of the student’s lives by connecting them with culture and language learning they may not have access to while in-care or at home. The program is connecting staff, students and their families with community Elders and Knowledge Keepers, created networking and professional development opportunities, and is helping to increase the number of Ojibwe language speakers within Treaty One Territory.  Through the program, the Seven Oaks School District can support Indigenous teachers and support staff as they strengthen their language skills through the Indigenous Language Certification program at Red River College and the University of Winnipeg.

Riverbend School and the Seven Oaks School Division remain committed to recovering and preserving Indigenous languages through in-school programming and community involvement.  Through the Ojibwe Bilingual Language program, they will continue to create and provide language learning opportunities for their students through Indigenous ways of being, learning and doing. 

Located in the northwest region of Winnipeg, the Seven Oaks School Division runs the Ojibwe Bilingual Language Program. The program is an FG Foundation multi-year beneficiary and has been supported by the Trust Fund since 2017. Now in its’ fifth year, the program has grown with the students from kindergarten to grade 5 and is now entering the Middle Years. 

The focus of the Coyote Pride Mentoring Program is to share teachings of culture, the histories of First People, and speak the truths of the Residential Schools. The program began operating in different schools in the region and explored the true effects of intergenerational trauma, and the importance and impact of Reconciliation from the First Peoples perspective. They also included a land-based teachings series that shared teachings from Elders and Knowledge Keepers online. The students were taught traditional games such as run and scream, sling ball, lacrosse, and hoop and dart, and they explored traditional lessons in hunting and trapping.

At Coyote Pride, they believe that mentoring preserves a way of life based on spirituality, sacredness, reciprocity, education, and social responsibility. With the integration of cultural pride, it preserves and protects the health and well-being of the youth.  Through these mentoring sessions youth received the opportunity to learn different tribal regions, language lessons in Cree, and storytelling/legends within eight (8) different schools in the Edmonton region.

When the pandemic brought the students home, the Coyote Pride Mentoring Program and the Bent Arrow team provided activities to support families to try to find new ways of being together during the pandemic. This resulted in over 150 youth and their families receiving a variety of “kits”. A traditional games kits, family board game kit, Smudge kits, Seven Sacred Teachings kit, healthy snacks and cooking kits, and even hygiene kits. These kits helped the families, children and youth connect to their indigenous culture, strengthen family ties, and support overall wellness. 

Located in the northwest region of Winnipeg, the Seven Oaks School Division runs the Ojibwe Bilingual Language Program. The program is a FG Foundation multi-year beneficiary and has been supported by the Trust Fund since 2017. The program has grown with the students from Kindergarten to grade 5 and is now entering the Middle Years. There are currently over 100 First Nations and Métis students enrolled in the language immersion lessons and multiple First Nations teachers and support staff. 

The language program has played an important role in many of the student’s lives by connecting them with culture and language learning they may not have access to while in-care or at home. The program is connecting staff, students and their families with community Elders and Knowledge Keepers, creating networking and professional development opportunities, and is helping to increase the number of Ojibwe language speakers within Treaty One Territory.  Through the program, the Seven Oaks School District can support Indigenous teachers and support staff as they strengthen their language skills through the Indigenous Language Certification program at Red River College and the University of Winnipeg.

Riverbend School and the Seven Oaks School Division remain committed to recovering and preserving Indigenous languages through in-school programming and community involvement.  Through the Ojibwe Bilingual Language program, they create and provide language learning opportunities for their students and community members through Indigenous ways of being, learning and doing and are directly helping to create long-term sustainable language learning and development accessible for future generations. 

Indigenous Language Revitalization Initiatives Growing our Own Anishinaabemowin Speakers

Located in the northwest region of Winnipeg, the Seven Oaks School Division runs the Ojibwe Bilingual Language Program. The program is a FG Foundation multi-year beneficiary and has been supported by the Trust Fund since 2017. 

A film documenting Rapid Word Collection, a language curation methodology with the Haisla community of Kitamaat, BC and First Nations Education Foundation. The video is an amazing example of what community led language revitalization work looks like. The FG Foundation was the major funder of this project and we honor the incredible efforts by the Haisla First Nation and First Nations Education Foundation in making this rejuvenation project a success now and for the future! 

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2lY3T0hUw4 

First Nations Education Foundation and Haisla Nation Council

Haislakala - Healing through Language & Culture Revitalizations and Rapid Word Collection

A film documenting Rapid Word Collection, a language curation methodology with the Haisla community of Kitamaat, BC and the First Nations Education Foundation.

Amanda is extremely grateful to be an FG Foundation scholarship recipient. She is enrolled in her 2nd year of 4-year Juris Doctorate, Joint Degree in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders, at the University of Victoria. Amanda aspires to work for our Nations and create change to build a better future for all Indigenous peoples and communities so adversely impacted by laws and policies that are not our own. Amanda says, “I feel that in order to progress as a people we need to be able to understand the language of the law and make it applicable to our Indigenous Laws”. 

With support from the FG Foundation, Amanda was able to alleviate multiple stresses for her and had the chance to put some extra focus into making sure her family’s needs were met while she was in school. 

Amanda aspires to work for our Nations and create change to build a better future for all Indigenous peoples and communities so adversely impacted by laws and policies that are not our own. 

To honour her fathers hard work and dedication to the small business he started, Lizzie Black Plume has a goal to earn a Bachelor of General Management with a minor in Small and Family Business from the University of Lethbridge. Lizzie describes her late father as an entrepreneur at heart with a mind full of ideas, and she wants to work as a small business consultant for people in her community who have dreams like her father. Lizzie is a proud member of the Blood Tribe and believes in the passion and skillset of her people and she wants to help her community members make their dreams a reality. Lizzie’s goal is to return to her community and says, “I know with the help of my consultation services I can help small businesses flourish and grow by utilizing my educational knowledge and past experience”. 

Lizzie has had continued support from the FG Foundation since 2017. This scholarship has allowed Lizzie to focus her time and energy mainly on her studies and her family. Lizzie says, “Being a FG Foundation recipient is a blessing and I am grateful for the opportunities that have come along my way”.  

To honour her fathers hard work and dedication to the small business he started, Lizzie Black Plume has a goal to earn a Bachelor of General Management with a minor in Small and Family Business from the University of Lethbridge. 

Aggatha is member of the Coast Salish people and has been participating in cultural activities throughout the pandemic. The FG Foundation has supported Aggatha’s goals to learn specific cultural protocols when making cedar hats, earrings, and headbands. She has had the chance to be on the land experiencing teachings and listening to stories of her family’s and community’s background. She has also been on the water in a canoe where she received teachings about the water and the relationship to it. Aggatha has also learned about feather work and regalia making for the long house. 

The FG Foundation has supported Aggatha’s goals to learn specific cultural protocols when making cedar hats, earrings, and headbands. She has had the chance to be on the land experiencing teachings and listening to stories of her family’s and community’s background.

The community of Délı̨nę is a remote, fly-in First Nations community with a small population and with the FG Foundation’s support, they had the chance to give their youth a unique summer camp experience. The summer camp was run by youth workers who planned and coordinated with the assistance of the community leaders. Youth ranging in ages from 10-18, spent weeks on the land with elders, community experts, local resource managers, and scientists learning about Délı̨nę resource management and connecting with the natural environment. The summer camp also included contemporary music training, created music compilations, discovered music development, and connected traditional Dene practice in music. The camp also weaved Délı̨nę cultural teachings through games, story telling with an emphasis on on-the-land stories, and craft making using local resources. Sport and fitness were included through games such as “stick pull” which helped teach the youth about using local resources and using bear grease to coat the stick to test your opponent’s strength while also building strong hands for fishing season. 

The summer camp created an environment where the youth were eager to participate and learn from their community members and receive teachings that will help them continue the Délı̨nę ways of being and stewardship of the environment. 

Strong like Two Minds - Délı̨nę Traditional Knowledge Eco Arts Camp 2020

The community of Délı̨nę is a remote, fly-in First Nations community with a small population and with the FG Foundation’s support, they had the chance to give their youth a unique summer camp experience. 

In New Brunswick, support from the FG Foundation has helped the Union of New Brunswick Indians Training Institute host Healing Through Culture – A Cultural Connection. The program hosted 30 participants including Indian Residential School Survivors and Intergenerational Survivors from the region who had the chance to explore the land and take in cultural and ecological teachings while on hiking trips and medicine walks. The program has given many participants the chance to explore areas of the region they have never visited before and helped renew a sense of pride and connection to the land.

Along with the cultural component, the Union of New Brunswick Indians Training Institute also offered Drivers Education and Training to participants. Driver training supports autonomy and helps participants reach an important life milestone and gain confidence in themselves.

The Union of New Brunswick Indians Training Institute 

Healing Through Nature – A Cultural Connection 

The program has given many participants the chance to explore areas of the region they have never visited before and helped renew a sense of pride and connection to the land.

Jordanna Roesler is working to complete her Doctor of Medicine degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Her goal is to give back to her community and provide culturally safe medical care to those in need and complete her residency training in underserved communities. She chose to attend UBC because the MD Program is exemplary in its work towards creating and maintaining a culturally safe program. The faculty in her program have been an incredible source of continuous support and have been instrumental in recruiting and promoting future Indigenous physicians.

Jordanna became involved in her program early on as an Indigenous Health Representative and is now the VP of Indigenous Health for the Medical Undergraduate Society of the UBC MD Program where she continues to promote and advocate for Indigenous health and wellbeing. Since beginning her education journey, Jordanna has also been fortunate enough to liaison with the First Nations Health Authority, the faculty, Elders, and also lead and support the Indigenous Health Representatives at each UBC Faculty of Medicine site.

Funding from the FG Foundation has helped Jordanna tremendously by alleviating some of the financial barriers of medical school tuition, fees, and related medical school costs. She says, “I am extremely grateful for the support that the FG Foundation provided, and it has helped me continue my journey towards becoming a well-rounded physician”.

Jordanna became involved in her program early on as an Indigenous Health Representative and is now the VP of Indigenous Health for the Medical Undergraduate Society of the UBC MD Program where she continues to promote and advocate for Indigenous health and wellbeing. 

Illustrated By: Spotted Fawn Productions 

To help increase resources available to youth and children across Turtle Island that bring awareness to reconciliation, support from the FG Foundation has helped the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada release Book 4 of the Spirit Bear series. Spirit Bear: Echoes of the Past is a collaboration between the Caring Society and Spotted Fawn Productions, who illustrated the book.

In this book, Spirit Bear and his family are on vacation in the territory of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples, Songhees and Esquimalt, (also known as Victoria, BC). They happen to see the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald being taken down so Spirit Bear and his family learn about the good and bad parts of history and how we can make better decisions now and for future generations of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit kids. The book also shares the story of whistleblower Peter Henderson Bryce and his courage to speak out against the injustices for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children in residential schools. The book will also be available in Algonquin and French. The book is available at local bookstores with all proceeds going back toward children's reconciliation projects at the Caring Society. 

https://fncaringsociety.com/spirit-bear-echoes-past 

First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada

The Young Warrior Program that is offered by the Victoria Native Friendship Centre is intended to empower youth ages 7-12 and connect them with resources offered through the Friendship Centre. Youth are provided with the opportunity to participate in twice-weekly groups that teach the youth to strengthen their decision-making skills, taking care, and finding balance. Some of the topics covered are healthy relationships, bulling and identifying bullying, boundaries, empathy, mindfulness, anxiety, and self-care. The curriculum is taught through sharing circles, journaling, games, and activities. The program has an art therapist who provides some engaging art activities. The topics for each session also incorporate culture, such as sharing circles and storytelling. At the end of the program there is an opportunity for the youth to learn how to make a medicine pouch or drum.  The Victoria Native Friendship Centre is providing an environment for youth to learn, grow, and explore different interpersonal skills and connect with local elders who act as mentors, cultural advisors, and wisdom keepers to the youth. 

The Young Warrior Program that is offered by the Victoria Native Friendship Centre is intended to empower youth ages 7-12 and connect them with resources offered through the Friendship Centre.

Justin is pursuing his undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Manitoba studying film and philosophy. He’s a passionate student who aims to use his degree in film to spotlight rural Indigenous communities in Manitoba and help amplify the voices of their community members through documentary or narrative features. 

Support from the FG Foundation has helped him with tuition and books and given him the chance to connect with other youth leaders. Justin hopes to use his education to help him advocate for more rights for Indigenous youth across Canada and says, “In these unique and difficult times my heart is full knowing I can pursue my education goals with this kind of support“. 

“In these unique and difficult times my heart is full knowing I can pursue my education goals with this kind of support“. 

 Funding from the FG Foundation has helped the Saskatoon Friendship Centre host capacity-building workshops and activities such as First Aid, CPR Training, education and employment, mental health, wellbeing, and parenting workshops which were aimed at helping Indigenous women and girls develop and grow. The cultural workshops focus on building a sense of identity and self-confidence through cultural teachings and lessons which helps connect participants with elders, knowledge keepers, encouraging mentorship, and knowledge sharing.  The Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Centre is working to heal the traumas left behind by Indian Residential School Systems, Day schools, and the Sixty scoop. In doing so we are trying to heal the life-givers and strengthen our Indigenous sisters. 

Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre 

Sisters Strengthening Sisters was created to empower Indigenous women and girls in the Saskatoon area and help to build a community of strong, resilient Indigenous sisters. The Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre created Sisters Strengthening Sisters with the intent to reduce the barriers typically faced by Indigenous women and girls wishing to access programming. The programming consists of a variety of workshops, activities, outings, and opportunities that help build confidence and a sense of self-identity within participants.

Support from the FG Foundation has helped create REZ-FM, a fully licensed, volunteer-run FM radio station located on Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation. The station was created to give youth, elders, and creatives of all avenues the platform to share important news, hold discussion, and share their work. The station quickly became recognized as the perfect platform to share cultural teachings and stories that are accessible for the community and beyond.  The radio station has aired student conducted interview and keeps community members up to date with current news and information and encourages language revitalization. The community is using the station to help the Mi’kmaw culture flourish within their members. 

In Nova Scotia, the Mi’kmaw Nation in the community of Paqtnkek were looking for a hub to share important news, community updates, and discussions for what needed to be shared for their members. The community is populated with less than 600 members including a few musicians, change-makers, and elders; and that’s how the Paqtnkek Community Radio Project was created. 

The program also aims to help enhance understanding regionally of the effects of Indian Residential Schools and the how the system left lasting impacts on Indigenous people. The museum also aims to provide people with a welcoming place to learn about different cultures and gain an understanding of how the Ojibway people traditionally and presently interact with the world. The program was designed to help preserve and restore the Ojibway language for people in the community and anyone wishing to learn. To develop the language components, traditional stories and songs were recorded and the museum hopes to eventually make them available on kiosks where users can explore the language. 

Funding from the FG Foundation has helped provide the equipment and tools for the museum that will be used to help promote the Ojibway language and teach about the effects the Indian Residential Schools System left on the Indigenous populations within the region. The museum can continue promoting and supporting reconciliation by educating non-Indigenous people on the history and legacy the Indian Residential Schools left behind through the voices and faces of the survivors themselves.  

National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada

The vision of the National Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada is to be a place where people can learn, share, heal, and move forward. The goals of the Maamiikwendan program have been to create a safe space for Indian Residential School Survivors to share their stories and feel acknowledged and heard. Stories from Survivors were documented and shared in perpetuity. 

The program has collaborated with a circle of Elders to revitalize Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Lene-Lenape cultural knowledge and peace-making practices that are the foundation of the program. Families are provided with a safe space to discuss and work together to create plans towards healing and forgiveness. The program seeks to address intergenerational trauma that underlies many challenges in Indigenous communities like mental wellness, family violence, justice system involvement, child welfare and addictions. Sessions with Elders and workshops help participants learn new skills in areas like communication, traditional parenting, harm prevention, goal setting, and building self-esteem. Participants have the chance to work with Elders and traditional knowledge keepers one-on-one. They also are provided support to help navigate criminal and family justice systems. Funding from the FG Foundation has helped secure the expertise and knowledge from the local Elders and strengthen family ties by sharing language, ceremony, teachings and peacemaking practices. 

Zhawenjigewag Inawemaaganag Family Healing Program 

The Zhawenjigewag Inawemaaganag Family Healing Program aims to reconnect families through traditional cultural knowledge and peacemaking practices, foster personal development and holistic wellness through cultural knowledge and personal life skills, and contribute to community development. The program gives families who have experienced family violence the chance to reconnect and heal together through conflict resolution and traditional teachings. 

Through this reconnection, Reggie feels as though he has had an opportunity to ease the pain caused by Indian Residential School and found new strength within himself, as well as a sense of belonging. Reggie still has many skills he would like to learn, and he hopes to one day pass the knowledge he has gained onto his grandchildren and will continue to practice his Cree way of life. 

As an Indian Residential School Survivor, Reggie has always had the goal of relearning his traditional Cree way of life and reconnecting to the land his late father once survived on. The FG Foundation helped Reggie return to his home territory and learn traditional land-based skills like hunting, fishing, and trapping. 

Danita Lewis is an intergenerational survivor pursuing her Masters of Indigenous Language Revitalization at the University of Victoria. When moving away from her home community to pursue higher education, Danita had to make the tough decision to take unpaid leave from work and significantly decrease her income. With help from the FG Foundation, Danita was able to relieve some of the financial stress and focus her time and energy on attaining her education goals. 

This program offered Danita the opportunity to revive Indigenous language, culture, traditions, and education for herself and share what she has learned with future generations. Danita has learned skills and tools that she will carry with her throughout her life.

With funding provided by the FG Foundation, Myia has had the opportunity to be a part of the revitalization of her language and focus solely on her education. She was able to spend her class time learning and has begun incorporating the language and teachings in her everyday life. Myia hopes to one day pass on the knowledge she has learned to her future children and grandchildren. 

With support from the FG Foundation, Myia Antone, an intergenerational survivor, was able to attend the Squamish Language Immersion Program from the First Nations Languages Program at Simon Fraser University. Through this program, Myia had the opportunity to learn her traditional language, and explore how her ancestor's worldviews are embedded into the language and the current world around her.  

Myia sits on the Squamish Nation Youth Advisory Council and is confident that learning her language will help her better represent the Squamish youth and gain a better understanding of what it means to be a leader in her community.

Alejandra is focused on exploring and finding solutions to the impacts of intergenerational trauma caused by colonial violence. Alejandra has seen how the science community lacks a solid understanding of how trauma can be passed down through generations on a biological and psychological level and as a result, acknowledges that there is a lack of concrete solutions and resources for Indigenous peoples who suffer from this trauma. It is her goal to use her education to study intergenerational trauma from a scientific perspective and apply that knowledge to initiate a brighter, positive future for Indigenous peoples in Canada. Alejandra has made the Dean of Science Honours List and been chosen to work on an exceptional research project with Dr. Kim Matheson, Director, and Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University. This project will explore how intergenerational exposure to harmful colonial policies have affected Indigenous youth in terms of cultural understanding and pride. Their focus will be on the self-expression of youth through the arts, as a means to reclaim their Indigenous identity and how the youth view this in relation to their mental health.
 

The funding received from the FG Foundation has helped Alejandra immensely on her education journey and gave her the ability to focus solely on her studies and reaching her goals. The scholarship enabled her to purchase important studying resources that will bring long-term benefits in terms of ease and efficiency in the education process.

Alejandra is an intergenerational survivor pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Mental Health from Carleton University. After her first year in her program, she realized how important it was for her to give back to her people and start working in the Mental Health field, particularly with the Indigenous population.  

First Nations Education Foundation and Haisla Nation Council

Haislakala - Healing through Language & Culture Revitalizations and Rapid Word Collection, British Columbia

FG Foundation Communications

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