The Youth Advisory Council Rises
Written by Keatton Tiernan, IYMP member and research partner from the University of Alberta, School of Public Health.
On March 16th, 2023, dedicated Indigenous youth from across Canada landed in Winnipeg, MB, the traditional gathering place of the Dene, Ojibwe, Cree, Métis, Sioux, Mandan, and Assiniboine people, to take part in a two-day visioning process grounded in Indigenous teachings.
March 17th, Day 1: Beginning in the morning, Debra DiUbalo and Noreen Wichart, session facilitators, introduced the Morning Star Visioning Wheel planning process. They explained that, unlike Western approaches to strategic planning, the Morning Star process acknowledges that we are stronger when we work together in a circle. This strategic process asks everyone in the circle to explore seven stones together: the dream stone, the north star stone, the feeling stone, the helping stone, the strength stone, the walking stone, and the stepping stone.
Elders Jack Robinson and Flora Northwest opened the circle with prayer and smudge for the group before the circle moved through the first day, focused on establishing the group’s goals for IYMP over the next five to ten years. The group foresaw an IYMP that had increased support for educational attainment, leadership training, and personal development for High School Mentors with expanded culturally relevant programming, outdoor activities and outreach.
March 18th, Day 2: The day’s session also began in ceremony, with Elders Jack Robinson and Flora Northwest opening the circle with prayer and smudge. Day two focused on the question, “How are we going to get there?” Throughout the day, the circle worked through how their goals for IYMP will be reached, culminating in the formation of IYMP’s first-ever Youth Advisory Circle.
The Youth Advisory Circle (YAC) will provide expertise on Mentor training, community outreach, and program development. The YAC will be composed of dedicated Indigenous youth affiliated with IYMP, who are representatives of Indigenous communities from across Canada who have been part of IYMP in some capacity, either as a High School Mentor or Program Leader.
To support their vision, YAC members build relationships with their school and community, High School Mentors, Program Leaders, and the larger IYMP team by fostering connections and guiding programming.
Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to all of those who have helped along the way to form the Youth Advisory Circle. To the first members of the YAC: You inspire us; we know you will do incredible things, and we are beyond excited to work alongside you in achieving our goals. Your futures are brighter than the North Star!