Our Journey

IYMP started as a community-based research project designed to build on the leadership skills of Indigenous high school students in North Winnipeg in 2003. In 2010, the urban mentor model was adapted for delivery in a remote Ojibway-Cree community in Northern Manitoba (Kistiganwaacheeng). Since expanding to five provinces in 2016, the program has rippled across Canada, and thousands of children and youth now participate. IYMP has built relationships with over 50 Indigenous communities.

Right now, there are:

  • 50 Indigenous communities with relationships to IYMP across 5 provinces 

Throughout the journey, IYMP has been supported by multiple research partners across Canada. These include individuals from the University of Manitoba, the University of Alberta, the University of Saskatchewan, Queen’s University, and the University of Ottawa.