Students Celebrate 2nd Annual IYMP Day in Alberta

On May 27th, the IYMP crew, in partnership with the Iniskim Centre at Mount Royal University, hosted our 2nd annual IYMP Day. This day is dedicated to our Mentors and their Program Leaders for the work they do to make a difference in their communities. Our mentors are leading in a good way, and we are very proud of them. 

We had high school mentors and their dedicated Program Leaders from across the province attend, along with some very special guests. Elder Roy Bearchief, of Siksika Nation, opened the day up with a prayer and words of encouragement for our mentors.  We were also honoured to have Darlene Bouvier speak on behalf of the Alberta Minister of Indigenous Relations, Rajan Sawhney. 

Mentors were led on a guided tour of the University and had an opportunity to speak with an MRU Admissions Advisor. The whole group then shared a delicious feast together. In the afternoon, everyone had a chance to get active in the gym when Adam from Alberta Soccer led us in some friendly soccer games. We were having so much fun, we even lost track of time!

Our IYMP National Director, Dr. Teena Starlight, guided the group in a closing sharing circle. When asked what IYMP means to them, we heard our mentors say words like community, growth, relationships, leading in a good way, opportunity, and making a difference. Our IYMP team couldn’t have said it better. 

Thank you to all who contributed to another successful year of mentorship in our Alberta communities. We could not do the work we do without the support of generous organizations such as Jumpstart Canada, Calgary Foundation, Jenkins Foundation, Air Canada, Ever Active Schools, and the Alberta Indigenous Relations office. 

This program could not run without the support of our communities, our highschool and elementary school principals, teachers and wellness workers. Thank you to our friends at the UofA Sircle Lab for your continued partnership and most importantly our high school mentors. You all deserve to be celebrated! Congratulations on another year completed and a job well done!