Posted by Bill Empey - District 7070 Representative for HIP

Honouring Indigenous Peoples has launched a new opportunity for Youth in our District, and with our neighbours in District 7010 and the Indigenous communities within the Williams Treaty area, called the Williams Treaty Youth-to-Youth (Y2Y) Engagement Circle on October 8, 9 and 10, 2021.  There is a letter for clubs (shown below), and flyers to share the word as well.  Please feel free to contact Bill Empey at the Rotary Club of Toronto  with any questions or concerns.  He can be reached at empey@prismeconomics.com .

We are asking for our Rotary Clubs for their support for a Youth-to-Youth (Y2Y) learning experience involving Indigenous and Non- Indigenous youth in grades 9 to 11 . This Y2Y engagement opportunity has been developed by HIP (Honouring Indigenous Peoples) and co-created by a strong list of stakeholders including Indigenous Elders, Teachers, Education Counselors, Knowledge Keepers, Rotarians and other ethical leaders. Building on the success of HIP’s earlier programs, Y2Y engagement circles focus on peace and reconciliation while inspiring youth to work together and take action towards becoming good stewards of the land. What is HIP's Youth to Youth (Y2Y) Engagement? .... Please read more.....

Here is a sample letter that you can send out from your Rotary Club to your community:

 

"To Whom it may concern,

I am writing to request your support for a Youth-to-Youth (Y2Y) learning experience involving Indigenous and Non- Indigenous youth in grades 9 to 11 . This Y2Y engagement opportunity has been developed by HIP (Honouring Indigenous Peoples) and co-created by a strong list of stakeholders including Indigenous Elders, Teachers, Education Counselors, Knowledge Keepers, Rotarians and other ethical leaders. Building on the success of HIP’s earlier programs, Y2Y engagement circles focus on peace and reconciliation while inspiring youth to work together and take action towards becoming good stewards of the land.

What is HIP's Youth to Youth (Y2Y) Engagement:

Y2Y engagement circles are an innovative way to promote understanding between Non-Indigenous and Indigenous youth. We believe it's a good way to fulfill HIP's mission by having young people in grades  9-11, Canada's future leaders, collaborate and learn from each other. Subject to all restrictions to control COVID19, this Y2Y engagement will bring together a balanced group of rural and urban non-indigenous and indigenous students over the weekend of October 8 to 10 at Camp Kawartha for relationship building activities focused on land-based education. This will provide an opportunity for these youth to build friendships with like-minded youth, learn Indigenous heritage, culture and treaty relationships, and develop hands-on understanding of nature and what it means to be a good steward of the land.

Nominations:

Selected participants include 25 Indigenous and 25 Non-Indigenous youth currently attending grades 9 to 11.  We hope to receive a diverse representation of Non-Indigenous applicants, including settlers from various countries and Non-Turtle Island Indigenous youth. Additionally, we are inclusive and welcome those who identify as Genderqueer, Non-binary and Two-spirt.

We are asking Indigenous Communities and Rotary Clubs, within the Williams Treaty Territory, District 7010 and District 7070, to nominate youth who have demonstrated leadership potential within their communities. Please see attached documents for details. Events have limited capacity and Nominees are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible by completing the online form which can be found by visiting:

https://honouringindigenouspeoples.com/reconcili-action

Sponsorship:

This Y2Y engagement circle will cost over $1000 per youth. We are hoping to provide this opportunity for free to selected youth and ask Rotary Clubs, Indigenous Communities and other organizations to help cover expenses by making a $750 donation per youth sponsored. Donations can be made by visiting https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/HIP/campaign/y2y/ . If sponsoring a specific nominated youth, be sure to put their name in the message field. Otherwise, we will match your sponsorship up with a youth. HIP plans to host more Y2Y engagement circles across Canada in 2022. Should we receive more funds than needed, it will be held and leveraged for these future Y2Y opportunities.  If COVID19 conditions prevent us from hosting an in-person event in October, we will host a virtual event on the scheduled dates and plan an in-person when it is safe to do so.

Thank-you for considering this request. Your support is an act of reconciliation that will empower future leaders and inspire good land stewardship."

 

 

 

Here is a one page brochure to assist in your recruiting efforts.