To the Rotary District 7070 Family,
Thank you all for your applications that we received by the December 15 deadline. District 7070 received a significant number of outstanding candidates, making the selection process quite challenging. Honouring Indigenous Peoples (HIP) received applications from hundreds of candidates across Canada, and only 50 could be chosen to participate. These very special students enjoyed a truly transformational experience. We need your help to raise the final amount for the program ..... Please Read more .....
The youth have been selected, the program has concluded for 2024. We did not receive the Government funding this year and this has made it more challenging, although we are on the shortlist for 2025 and 2026. We need help to raise the final amount for the program.
The program is completely free of charge to students. Success requires financial support from major national partners. Our goal is to secure $130,000+ out of the total $350,000 budget from Rotary. These funds will cover venue rental, travel and accommodations, meals and catering, event materials, speakers, equipment and technology, marketing and promotion, staff, insurance, security, entertainment and activities, registration fees, workshop supplies, and accessibility. This translates to approximately $2,600 per youth participant
This immersive opportunity provides Canadian youth with a chance to connect with Indigenous culture and form meaningful relationships with a diverse group of peers. Committed to Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action 62 to 66, we engage participants in activities that cultivate a sense of responsibility for the land, actively promoting environmental stewardship and contributing to a positive impact on the environment.
Notably, 35% of the youth hail from rural communities, predominantly situated in the northern regions of Canada, encompassing the Yukon, Nunavut, Northern British Columbia, Northern Alberta, Northern Ontario, and Northern Manitoba. Being a Northerner myself, I recognize the significance of initiatives like this in actively addressing barriers to social and economic inclusion. Involving youth from isolated or marginalized areas helps break down both geographical and social barriers. Through dialogue, shared experiences, and collaborative projects, participants develop crucial life skills, leadership qualities, and a profound awareness of issues hindering social and economic inclusion, empowering them to drive positive change within their communities.
HIP's Youth to Youth program plays a pivotal role in cultivating a strong Canadian identity and fostering a sense of belonging among youth. Through an immersive Indigenous experience, participants engage in face-to-face interactions with diverse groups of peers hailing from all corners of Canada. This unique approach enables youth to appreciate the rich tapestry of diversity within the Canadian experience while also highlighting shared aspects that bind them together as a nation. By providing a platform for direct engagement with Indigenous cultures, histories, and traditions, the program encourages a profound understanding of Canada's multifaceted identity. Through meaningful interactions, collaborative projects, and shared experiences, youth not only celebrate their backgrounds but also forge connections that contribute to a collective Canadianidentity, emphasizing the importance of unity, understanding, and inclusivity. The program catalyzes youth to actively participate in building a stronger and more interconnected Canada.
“It's a very monumental thing for youth to be able to realize that they hold power and to gain that knowledge and tools to empower themselves” ~ Noia Mcfetridge (Indigenous)
The Youth to Youth Program:
o Fosters Cultural Competency for Understanding and Respect: The HIP Youth to Youth experience facilitates meaningful cultural exchange and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth, fostering social cohesion and harmony.
o Promotes Community Engagement: This program actively involves interactions with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, encouraging community engagement and support.
o Champions Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: HIP youth participants reflect the diverse tapestry of Canada, representing various backgrounds, including diverse Indigenous communities, ancestral heritages, genders, sexual orientations, and individuals with disabilities. The event venue embodies a philosophy where disabilities are seamlessly integrated into everyday life, treated as an integral and thoughtful part of the shared journey.
o Makes a Dedicated Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action 62 to 66: Catalyzing substantial change, this initiative actively addresses barriers to social and economic inclusion. By engaging youth from isolated or marginalized areas, breaks down geographical and social barriers. Through dialogue, shared experiences, and collaborative projects, participants develop crucial life skills, leadership qualities, and a profound awareness of issues hindering social and economic inclusion, empowering them to drive positive change within their communities.
o Preservers of Indigenous Culture: HIP Youth to Youth experiences include activities contributing to the preservation of Indigenous languages, traditions, and customs.
o Provides Educational Opportunities: The program offers educational and skills development opportunities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth.
o Environmental Impact and Responsibility: Recognizing strong Indigenous connections to the environment, HIP's Youth to Youth program engages participants in outdoor activities that instill a sense of responsibility for the land, actively promoting environmental stewardship and making a positive impact on the environment.
o Created Long-Term Impact and Legacy: The program's profound impact extends beyond the event, as empowered youth return to their communities as ambassadors, delivering presentations to schools, service clubs, and various organizations. This transformative experience permeates their conversations with parents, friends, and classmates. With 50 young ambassadors delivering multiple presentations, the message of Truth and Reconciliation resonates with thousands of Canadians, contributing to a lasting legacy of understanding and positive change.
“We all worked in unity and brought our ideas together and we all realized we’re not so different.” ~ Derek Monias (Indigenous)
“Through the hands-on learning, you take away more through the culture than you would anywhere else and it is things like this that help me come back home to be a better ally.” ~ Ethan Basil (Non-Indigenous)
IMPORTANT: Although the youth have been chosen, we are facing a shortfall in our finances. HIP is committed to ensuring that the program is barrier-free for young participants, offering it completely free of charge to those selected.
However, to realize this vision we are in need of help.
HIP (Honouring Indigenous Peoples) Charitable Corporation is a registered CRA Charity No: 885709212RR0001. Donations can be made online at https://www.canadahelps.org/
Cheques can be made out to “HIP (Honouring Indigenous Peoples) Charitable Corporation” and mailed to: Attention: Gyuszi Berki, HIP (Honouring Indigenous Peoples), #402 - 40 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, ON, M4P 3A2
A generous contribution will help us cover various costs associated with hosting the program, including transportation, accommodation, meals, cultural resources, workshops, and facilitator fees.
Thank you Everyone,
John
