Emily Eckloff, an intergenerational survivor from Waywayseecappo First Nation in Manitoba, is forging new paths in Indigenous education and environmental science. Supported by the FG Foundation scholarship, she is studying Indigenous Environmental Studies and Science at Trent University to help address critical environmental issues impacting Indigenous communities.

In high school, Emily served as an Indigenous Student Trustee for the Limestone District School Board, creating spaces for Indigenous youth to engage in leadership, culture, and academic support. This strengthened her commitment to making education more inclusive for Indigenous students.

At Trent, Emily focuses on environmental challenges like drinking water contamination and food security, aiming to integrate Indigenous knowledge into education and sustainable development. With FG Foundation’s support, she is helping bring Indigenous perspectives to environmental advocacy and sustainability.

Kimberly Kennedy’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and commitment to community well-being. A mother of two and a member of the Red Rock Indian Band, Kimberly has faced financial hardships while ensuring her children receive the mental health support they need. Despite these challenges, she remains focused on her education and future goals.

With support from the FG Foundation scholarship, Kimberly is pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work at Laurentian University. Her passion for Indigenous social work is driven by a lifelong commitment to advocating for Indigenous rights, reconciliation, and cultural preservation.

Kimberly is also active in her community as part of the Red Rock Indian Band’s planning committee. Her education and dedication

will allow her to contribute to community healing and create lasting change for Indigenous peoples.

The Northern Village of Beauval, led by a fully Indigenous leadership team, is dedicated to preserving its cultural heritage and promoting language revitalization through the Culture, Language and Sport Project. This initiative focuses on residential and intergenerational survivors, fostering community and a strong sense of identity among the village's 685 residents, which include Métis and members of the Canoe Lake First Nation. The project prioritizes inclusivity, encouraging all community members, including Elders, to engage in cultural and language activities.

Through workshops and learning activities with traditional knowledge keepers, the project ensures the preservation of Indigenous languages and customs. Recognizing the lasting effects of residential schools, it aims to rebuild family connections and instill pride in cultural identity. Participants will engage in practices like hunting, fishing, cooking, and berry picking, fostering a deep connection to their heritage.

The FG Foundation has been instrumental in enabling the Culture, Language and Sport Project to thrive, ensuring the continued revitalization of the community's cultural traditions for future generations.

Damien Rodriquez, a proud Moose Cree First Nation member and intergenerational survivor, is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at Dalhousie University with support from the FG Foundation bursary. A single father and passionate advocate for social justice, Damien is working toward a career in social work to serve Indigenous communities.

Growing up in Nova Scotia, he witnessed systemic injustices that fueled his commitment to creating change. At Dalhousie, he participates in leadership programs and workshops that build his skills in advocacy, community engagement, and cultural resilience. He also volunteers with the Native Council and Tribal Boxing, mentoring Indigenous youth.

Balancing parenthood, part-time work, and full-time studies, Damien faces financial barriers, but with FG Foundation’s support, he is able to focus on his education and future contributions to his community.

Bronwyn Aubry, an intergenerational survivor from Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation in the Northwest Territories, is pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Ottawa. She aspires to further her medical studies, aiming to become a nurse practitioner, physician, or pediatrician to provide culturally informed care to Indigenous communities.

At age 10, Bronwyn discovered her Indigenous heritage, igniting a lifelong connection to cultural practices that now shape her approach to healthcare. Despite financial challenges, the FG Foundation scholarship has allowed her to focus on her studies and long-term goals.

Bronwyn is determined to use her education to improve healthcare accessibility and advocate for Indigenous-led medical solutions. Her commitment to healing and resilience reflects the spirit of the FG Foundation’s mission. With support, Bronwyn is building a future of culturally grounded, compassionate care for her community.

The Eskasoni Band Council has launched the Language Reclamation and Revitalization Program to preserve and revitalize the Mi’kmaq language. This initiative makes the language more accessible to all community members and responds to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and its 94 Calls to Action.

A key part of the program involves translating the TRC and the 94 Calls to Action into Mi’kmaq and working with elders to capture the oral histories of residential school survivors in their first language. These stories are recorded through video and audio, preserving them for future generations.

Participants also receive mentorship in video editing, studio production, and media skills, gaining hands-on experience while helping safeguard cultural knowledge. An audio/video editor has enhanced the quality of these recordings for wider community sharing.

Eskasoni Band Council’s Language Reclamation and Revitalization Program

Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan, based in Mashteuiatsh, Québec, is leading the Boussole des compétences program, which supports First Nations youth aged 18-30 in re-engaging with education and employment. The program offers 294 hours of training over 12 weeks, focusing on essential skills like communication, problem-solving, and cultural identity.

In partnership with Collège d’Alma, the program incorporates Innu culture and history, helping youth connect with their heritage and learn about the impact of residential schools. This  approach builds confidence and prepares participants for the workforce.

The program has successfully supported two cohorts, with plans to serve more youth in the future. With the support of the FG Foundation, Boussole des compétences helps youth return to school, gain job skills, and strengthen their cultural identity.

Guiding Youth Toward Skills, Identity, and the Future

Jessie Fontaine, a proud member of Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation and an intergenerational survivor, is pursuing his dream of becoming a Veterinary Technologist at Red River College, supported by the FG Foundation Bursary. After beginning his career in hospitality and esthetics, the pandemic inspired him to shift toward animal care. Now certified as a Veterinary Assistant, he is working toward becoming a licensed Veterinary Technologist, recognizing the important link between animal welfare and community well-being.

Outside of his studies, Jessie mentors youth, teaches traditional crafts, and participates in cultural events. He is committed to strengthening his community by improving animal welfare and fostering safe relationships between animals and people.

Thanks to the FG Foundation’s support, Jessie can focus on his education and future contributions to his community.

Nestled in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, the Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary and Learning Centre (KSSLC) is a living legacy where seed relatives are honoured and Indigenous youth reconnect with ancestral knowledge. Operated by Ratinenhayénthos in partnership with SeedChange and other local groups, KSSLC preserves Haudenosaunee planting traditions and ensures healthy seeds for future generations.

With FG Foundation funding, KSSLC has expanded its reach through hands-on workshops and mentorship programs where youth, elders, and community members engage in seed keeping, food cultivation, and cultural practices. These programs foster learning, healing, and intergenerational knowledge sharing.

The FG Foundation’s support has been key to growing KSSLC’s educational programming, heritage seed distribution, and community initiatives, helping ensure Haudenosaunee knowledge and cultural resilience continue to thrive.

Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary & Learning Centre

Cultivating Knowledge, Culture, and Resilience

Ashley Stad, a dedicated member of the Moosomin community in Saskatchewan, is pursuing a diploma in Justice at Norquest College with support from the FG Foundation Scholarship. Growing up in a challenging environment shaped her passion for social justice, particularly within Indigenous communities. As a mother of two, she balances family responsibilities while advancing her education.

Ashley’s interest in Indigenous law and social policies stems from her desire to strengthen communities through justice and healing. Her studies will prepare her for roles such as caseworker, Indigenous peace officer, or victim services advocate. Though she lacked close ties to her birth mother’s Indigenous community, she has developed a deep understanding of intergenerational trauma.

Her work as a youth worker and experience at an Indigenous summer camp in Northern Alberta reinforced her commitment to advocacy. Now with the support of the FG Foundation, Ashley is dedicated to creating lasting change for Indigenous communities.

With FG Foundation’s funding, Sucker Creek First Nation is revitalizing its cultural identity and addressing the lasting impacts of residential schools through its Reclaiming Our Identity initiative. This transformative project is fostering healing, language revitalization, and cultural reconnection for the Nation’s 2,941 members.

The program offers Cree language classes at various proficiency levels, land-based teachings on traditional practices such as harvesting and storytelling, and workshops for drum-making, rites of passage, and regalia-making. Elders play a central role, in sharing knowledge and hosting healing ceremonies, including sweat lodges, night lodges, and pipe ceremonies.

Reclaiming Our Identity provides in-person and virtual programming, ensuring accessibility for on- and off-reserve members, including residential school survivors and intergenerationally impacted individuals. The initiative connects Sucker Creek’s youth to their heritage, fostering resilience through cultural practices and providing a safe space for healing and sobriety.

With support from the Future Generations Foundation (FG Foundation) Grant, Sucker Creek First Nation is revitalizing its traditional identity through the Reclaiming Our Identity initiative. The program offers Cree language classes, land-based teachings, and workshops, including drum-making, regalia-making, and rites of passage. Elders lead ceremonies like sweat lodges and sharing circles, fostering healing for residential school survivors and intergenerationally impacted members.

By reconnecting youth and community members with their traditions, the project strengthens cultural pride, resilience, and sobriety. With FG Foundation’s support, Sucker Creek is creating sustainable programs that honor their heritage and empower future generations.

Cheyenne Sego embodies resilience and advocacy, dedicated to improving the lives of Indigenous women and families. As a single mother and intergenerational survivor, she is pursuing a degree in Gender Equality & Social Justice and Indigenous Studies at Nipissing University, where she has entered her fourth year in September 2024. With support from the FG Foundation Scholarship, she has been able to focus on her studies while raising her two-year-old daughter.

Despite facing significant personal challenges, Cheyenne has maintained an outstanding 90% average. Her experiences navigating the legal system and academic institutions have fueled her passion for Indigenous rights and justice. She plans to continue her education in the Indigenous Governance program at the University of Victoria, with aspirations for a law degree or PhD.

Cheyenne actively engages with her community of Sagamok Anishnawbek, participating in cultural events and advocacy efforts. Her journey, supported by the FG Foundation, reflects hope, strength, and a commitment to justice for future generations.

Cheyenne Sego embodies resilience and advocacy, dedicated to improving the lives of Indigenous women and families. As a single mother and intergenerational survivor, she is pursuing a degree in Gender Equality & Social Justice and Indigenous Studies at Nipissing University, where she has entered her fourth year in September 2024. With support from the FG Foundation Scholarship, she has been able to focus on her studies while raising her two-year-old daughter.

In the heart of the Ottawa-Gatineau urban Indigenous community, Aunties on the Road: Indigenous Full Spectrum Doula Collective is reclaiming traditional Auntie roles through doula care. Thanks to funding from the Future Generations Foundation, the Collective, which is a Grassroots Youth Led Organization supported by Minwaashin Lodge Women's Support Center has expanded its ability to provide no-cost, full-spectrum doula services to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families, across sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

The funding has allowed the Collective to increase hours for part-time doulas, thereby enhancing its capacity to offer more comprehensive and continuous care. With a trauma-informed approach rooted in Indigenous culture, the Collective helps community members navigate significant life transitions by offering culturally safe support throughout the full spectrum of reproductive experiences.

This initiative exemplifies the power of culturally responsive care in urban Indigenous communities, fostering healing and resilience through the traditional wisdom of the Aunties.

Aunties on the Road Indigenous Full Spectrum Doula Collective

The Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association's (ANFCA) visionary initiative, "Indigenous Youth Rise Up," stands as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and empowerment. ANFCA's program embodies a commitment to fostering leadership and reconciliation among urban Indigenous youth across Alberta.

At the heart of "Indigenous Youth Rise Up" lies a profound recognition of Indigenous youth as the torchbearers of tomorrow, entrusted with the responsibility to shape the future in accordance with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Guided by the wisdom of ANFCA Elders Wisdom Circle members, and survivors of residential schools, the program facilitates a dialogue of reconciliation and action, igniting a spark of change within the hearts and minds of Indigenous youth.

Through a series of immersive experiences, including in-person reconciliation discussions and virtual gatherings, ANFCA empowers youth to delve into the complexities of reconciliation, Indigenous governance, and civic engagement. Multigenerational learning opportunities with Elders and Knowledge Keepers enrich these discussions, infusing them with Indigenous wisdom and survivor perspectives, thus nurturing a deep understanding of TRC and UNDRIP principles.

“Indigenous Youth Rise Up" empowers its participants to reclaim their heritage and stride confidently toward a future imbued with hope and possibility. Through the steadfast support of the Future Generations Foundation, ANFCA's program exemplifies a beacon of resilience, empowerment, and reconciliation for Indigenous communities across Alberta and beyond.

Alberta Native Friendship Centers Association

At the heart of "Indigenous Youth Rise Up" lies a profound recognition of Indigenous youth as the torchbearers of tomorrow, entrusted with the responsibility to shape the future in accordance with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Guided by the wisdom of ANFCA Elders Wisdom Circle members, survivors of residential schools, the program facilitates a dialogue of reconciliation and action, igniting a spark of change within the hearts and minds of Indigenous youth.

In the heart of Syilx territory, the Syilx Language House (SLH) is nurturing a resurgence of the Syilx language and culture through its Adult Fluency & Community Program. This innovative initiative, now in its third year of funding from the Future Generations Foundation, encompasses a range of activities aimed at fostering fluency, community engagement, and cultural preservation.

Building upon eight years of successful language fluency efforts, SLH staff are immersed in delivering sequenced language instruction to learners. Through intense study sessions, participants delve into the complexities of the Salish Curriculum, with a focus on achieving intermediate proficiency by June 2024. Despite past challenges posed by the COVID pandemic, SLH has adapted its approach, leveraging technology to expand its reach and recruit highly skilled students.

As a cornerstone of the program, SLH diligently collects and shares elder recordings, serving as a source of advanced literature for language and culture learners. These recordings are meticulously archived, transcribed, and freely shared online, contributing to the preservation of traditional knowledge and fostering a deeper understanding of Syilx heritage.

SLH extends its impact beyond the classroom through a variety of community programs catering to both children and adults. From daycare language games to evening classes for adults, SLH is dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible language education opportunities for all members of the community.

As SLH empowers learners to become ambassadors of the Syilx language and culture, it is sowing the seeds of a vibrant and resilient future for the Sylix people.

Ambassadors of the Syilx language and culture

In the heart of Syilx territory, the Syilx Language House (SLH) is a beacon of cultural revival. In its third year of FG Foundation funding, SLH's Adult Fluency & Community Program is cultivating a linguistic resurgence. SLH's provides adult fluency recordings, evening classes and even delivers a community program in daycare language games to the Boys and Girl club. Thanks to Future Generations funding, SLH empowers teachers and elders to guide this transformation, cultivating a future where Syilx language and culture thrive.

The Shäwthän Näzhì: Recovery Support Program, is a transformative journey of healing and recovery for Yukon First Nations individuals. The Shäwthän Näzhì program, supported by the Arctic Inspiration Prize Charitable Trust, the Future Generations Foundation, the Council of Yukon First Nations, the Yukon Government, True North Aid and YSPOR, is poised to address the urgent need for aftercare and recovery support among Yukon First Nation communities struggling with addiction.

This Recovery Support Program takes a holistic approach combining various healing modalities, including equine, animal, and art therapy, energy and body healing, trauma and attachment therapies, and First Nation ceremonies and wisdom. With a focus on Indigenous worldviews and methodologies, the program is grounded through a variety of land-based activities.

As Shäwthän Näzhì unfolds, it aims to empower Indigenous communities to run local programs, bridging the gap between addiction treatment and sustained recovery. With the support of the generous supporting funders, this program makes a profound and lasting impact, nurturing resilience and healing among Yukon First Nation’s citizens.

Empowering Healing and Recovery for Yukon First Nations

The Shäwthän Näzhì: Recovery Support Program, is a transformative journey of healing and recovery for Yukon First Nations individuals. The Shäwthän Näzhì program, supported by the Arctic Inspiration Prize Charitable Trust, the Future Generations Foundation, Council of Yukon First Nations, Yukon Government, True North Aid and YSPOR, is poised to address the urgent need for aftercare and recovery support among Yukon First Nation communities struggling with addiction.

As Shäwthän Näzhì unfolds, it aims to empower Indigenous communities to run local programs, bridging the gap between addiction treatment and sustained recovery. With the support of generous supporting funders, this program makes a profound and lasting impact, nurturing resilience and healing among Yukon First Nation’s citizens.

The Native Communications Society (NCS) is leading a pioneering initiative aimed at empowering Indigenous youth by preserving language and culture. Through the creation of the 'Indigenous Language Digital Culture Tool,' NCS perserves Indigenous heritage and has created a deeper understanding of ancestral language and culture among future generations in the North.

At its core, the project is focused on ensuring that Northern youth have access to timely, relevant, and engaging tools for learning their ancestral languages. With guidance from experts in the educational field, the program employs innovative strategies and digital platforms to offer authentic language learning experiences.

Beyond language acquisition, the project seeks to cultivate meaningful connections between youth and their elders. By encouraging exploration of heritage and folklore in a fun and secure environment, the project aims to deepen youths' understanding of their ancestral language and culture while fostering stronger bonds with their elders.

This journey has already planted the seeds for a vibrant and resilient future for Indigenous youth in the Northwest Territories. With the generous support of the Future Generations Foundation, the 'Indigenous Language Digital Culture Tool' project is poised to leave a lasting impact, empowering youth to reclaim and celebrate their language and cultural heritage.

Empowering Indigenous Youth through Language and Culture

Carisa Naistus, hailing from Onion Lake Cree Nation, embodies the spirit of perseverance and community upliftment. Despite facing difficult challenges, Carisa is enrolled in an accounting and strategic measurement program showing her persistent commitment to personal growth but also the advancement of her Indigenous community.

Regardless of intergenerational trauma, stemming from the residential and day school systems, Carisa's desire is to provide a better future for her two young children. Her educational pursuit serves as a guiding light for her family and community, leading as an example for a better path toward empowerment and prosperity. Combined with her educational commitments, Carisa is also actively involved in band meetings and community initiatives, offering support and guidance to those in need.

With unwavering strength of character and a heart dedicated to community upliftment, Carisa exemplifies the transformative power of education and the resilience of the Cree spirit. Her journey stands as a testament of perseverance and encouragement for Indigenous youth, poised to shape a future defined by empowerment and opportunity.

Yvonne Wyss's educational journey is driven by her passion for preserving Indigenous knowledge and cultural history. Aspiring to pursue a master’s degree, Yvonne focuses on research and learning the traditional teachings of cedar, wool, and plant medicines within her ancestral territory.

Central to her academic endeavor is the republishing of her great grandfather's inspiring work, "Conversations with Khahtsahlano," which will serve as her doctoral thesis. She aims to infuse this work with decolonized perspectives and Indigenous research methodologies. Yvonne's goal is not merely academic; it is a cultural reclamation effort aimed at revitalizing her community's identity and history.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Yvonne seeks one-on-one mentorship with an elder and knowledge keeper to immerse herself in language learning and traditional teachings.

Yvonne's journey is not just about acquiring knowledge; it's about reclaiming identity, healing cultural wounds, and empowering future generations. With her dedication, resilience, and the support of the Future Generations Foundation, Yvonne Wyss embodies the spirit of cultural resurgence and academic excellence.

Revitalizing Culture Through Academic Pursuit

Eucharia Ogoms, a first-generation university student from Winnipeg, Manitoba and a member of Poplar River First Nation, embodies perseverance and dedication. Despite initial struggles, she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration, earning a spot on the Dean's Honours List multiple times with a GPA of 3.55.

Eucharia's commitment to her community is unwavering. From serving as a Human Resources Officer at Shawenim Abinoojii to her current role at the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development Inc, she actively supports Indigenous individuals in pursuing their goals.

Now enrolled in a master’s program in Human Resource Management at the University of Regina, Eucharia aims to break down barriers and provide equal opportunities for all. Her dedication to empowering Indigenous youth is evident as she works to foster cultural connectedness and provide access to resources and support.

Eucharia's story serves as a testament to the transformative power of education and community engagement, leaving a lasting impact on Indigenous empowerment.

Frazer Dodd, a dedicated member of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nations community, empowers Indigenous youth through education and sports. Currently pursuing a degree in Biology, Frazer aims to become a teacher, shaping young minds and fostering community pride. With a GPA of 3.32, he excels both academically and athletically as a member of the Alvernia University NCAA Division 3 team.

Frazer volunteers his time coaching local sports teams and providing one-on-one hockey skill development for First Nations youth. As an educational assistant in a predominantly First Nations school, Frazer's positive impact on students' lives is undeniable, earning him the respect and admiration of both colleagues and pupils alike.

Frazer plans to continue coaching, running intramural lunch programs, and advocating for healthy lifestyle choices among students. Supported by a scholarship from Future Generation Foundation, he can focus on his studies and community, easing the financial burden of American tuition fees and living expenses.

Frazer Dodd's story is one of resilience, dedication, and unwavering commitment to uplifting his community, leading a legacy of empowerment and opportunity for Indigenous youth.

Pioneering Educator and Community Champion

Hailing from Pine Creek First Nation in Manitoba, Matthew Parenteau's path has been marked by both personal struggles and professional dedication as a social worker with West Region Child and Family Services.

Rooted in his traditional upbringing, Matthew has been a steadfast participant in ceremony since 2013, drawing strength and guidance from ancestral teachings. However, family challenges have posed to be significant obstacles to his spiritual journey. Financial constraints have prevented Matthew from attending ceremonies and accessing the healing he so desperately needs.

Despite these challenges, Matthew remains determined in his commitment to cultural reconnection and personal healing. Through the Future Generations Foundation's support, Matthew participated in a series of healing and cultural ceremonies, including Sundance, fasting, and sweat lodge ceremonies. These ceremonies offer not only spiritual nourishment but also opportunities for reconciliation and healing from past traumas.

Matthew's involvement in his First Nation and Métis community, coupled with his professional experience in child welfare, positions him as a valuable advocate for cultural preservation and healing. Matthew is inspired to pass on these invaluable teachings to his children, peers, clients, and community members.

Nurturing Tradition Through Healing and Cultural Reconnection

Patrick Stubbington's journey from a traumatic childhood to university success is a testament to resilience. A Sixties Scoop survivor from Saik'uz First Nation, Patrick endured severe abuse before finding solace in academics. Despite learning disabilities, he pursued an Environmental Planning degree, with the help of a Future Generations Foundation scholarship at the University of Northern British Columbia.

Patrick’s advocacy extends beyond academics; he actively engages in mental health discussions, facilitating panels at UNBC. As an Indigenous Ambassador, he fosters dialogue on critical issues. Patrick's dedication also extends to his community, advocating for sustainable projects for future generations. Through perseverance and community engagement, Patrick embodies hope and empowerment.

Overcoming Trauma to Pursue Environmental Advocacy

The Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve is an Anishinaabe First Nation nestled in the forests and prairies near Roblin, Manitoba. The community’s total population is just under 1,500, with 670 people living on-reserve. 

The small community is close to many idyllic feats of nature, including the Duck Mountain Provincial Forest, making it the perfect place for hikers and those seeking a connection with the land. Over the summer of 2022, the Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve hosted a project called the “TTR Youth Training Camp” with the help of funding from the FG Foundation. The project trained17 youths to become registered hunting and backcountry guides. 

Seeing the potential to be stewards of the land and the opportunities it would bring for its young people living in community, the program offered a pathway for youth to build a career in the wilderness industry. The program sought knowledge from Elders and traditional on-the-land teachings to guide the curriculum. Participants were given the opportunity to partake in the Manitoba Hunting Safety Course, wilderness safety, survival training, wildlife awareness, predator safety training, and on-the-land training.

Through fostering a deeper connection between the community’s youth and Elders, and a combination of traditional knowledge and modern safety practices, the TTR Youth Training Camp project opened pathways for youth to achieve their goals and earn their certifications. 

Thanks to the program’s teachings, many of the community’s youth can see themselves building a future and a career in Tootinaowaziibeeng, lending their new-found expertise to visitors and future generations for years to come.

To learn more about the TTR Youth Training Camp, visit the website here.

The Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve is an Anishinaabe First Nation near Roblin, Manitoba, close to Duck Mountain Provincial Forest, making it the perfect place for hikers and those seeking a connection with the land. 

Over the summer of 2022, the Tootinaowaziibeeng Treaty Reserve hosted the project “TTR Youth Training Camp” with the help of funding from the FG Foundation. The project trained 17 youths to become registered hunting and backcountry guides. The program sought knowledge from Elders and traditional on-the-land teachings to guide the curriculum. Participants were given the opportunity to partake in the Manitoba Hunting Safety Course, wilderness safety, survival training, wildlife awareness, predator safety training, and on-the-land training.

Edward Martin is an Intergenerational Survivor from Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation who, with the help of an FG Foundation scholarship, is currently studying to receive his Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Victoria. 

During his early adulthood, Martin experienced many of the challenges that other young Indigenous men face but had the addition of coming out as gay. This tumultuous time in his life was compounded by the pain of witnessing Survivors of the Residential Schools System, including his own mother, begin to come forward and tell their stories. Although Edward wished to pursue a higher education to help his people, the anger he felt prevented him from doing so.

Without a formal education, Edward had limited opportunities for career development and upward mobility and in 2018, he left his employment as a Veterans Services agent. Determined to be successful and to keep performing the work he loved, Edward decided to pursue post-secondary education. He earned his Diploma of Indigenous Studies from Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia, in 2020.

In 2022, Edward applied for, and was awarded, a scholarship through the FG Foundation, which would help him pay for his Bachelor of Social Work Degree at the University of Victoria – something which he describes as a ‘huge relief’. 

“This scholarship made me cry,” says Edward. “Literally, I was laying in bed when I received the email, and I jumped out of bed and fell back down and the tears just fell.”

With the help of his FG Foundation scholarship, Edward entered a paid practicum in December 2022, and continues to achieve good grades in his program. Edward is excited to walk across the graduation stage in fall of 2023, and says he is grateful for the support of the FG Foundation, his mother and family, his “rockstar” husband, his professors, and Listuguj First Nation.

Edward has had a challenging road to his success but is excited to walk across the graduation stage in fall of 2023, and says he is grateful for the support of the FG Foundation, his mother and family, his “rockstar” husband, his professors, and Listuguj First Nation.

The Saskatoon Survivors Circle (SSC) was founded in 2019 with the principle: “nothing for us, without us” to ensure that, unlike institutions offering similar assistance, the services and activities provided by SSC were not “token or paternalistic.”

They started as a support network for Residential School Survivors in Saskatoon and the surrounding area with four main priorities: Cultural Connectedness, Holistic Wellness, First Nations, Métis, non-Indigenous Inclusion, and Systemic Change. Using the FG Foundation monies which come from the surplus from the IRRS Settlement Agreement, the Survivors have created a safe space to connect with one another, share their experiences, learn, heal, and create a community. 

Thanks to their commitment to these principles – and to their community – the SSC has now grown its network of Residential School Survivors to over one hundred members. The Survivors at SSC, who are known to Saskatoon’s Indigenous community as a group of honoured and respected Knowledge Keepers, are often called upon as consultants by educators, advocates, and policymakers throughout the City of Saskatoon. With the continued support of the FG Foundation, and the hard work of volunteers and Survivors, the SSC has forged lasting cultural connections with their network through traditional craft, ceremony and technology and has become an organized, dynamic support group for its members in the City of Saskatoon.

Survivors of Residential Schools have endured devastating mental, physical, and spiritual harms which the SSC aims to address through holistic methods of healing and wellness, engaging in difficult conversations with Knowledge Keepers, and creating a path toward an “Indigenous sense of self.”

One of the many achievements of SSC in 2022 was to incorporate voices from Elders and Survivors into a manual for Indigenous estate planning, called When the Time Comes - A Guide for End-of-Life Planning for Indigenous People.

The SSC intends to continue creating awareness around the legacy of Residential Schools and building opportunities and healing pathways for Survivors and members.

The Saskatoon Survivors Circle (SSC) was founded in 2019 with the principle: “nothing for us, without us” to ensure that, unlike institutions offering similar assistance, the services and activities provided by SSC were not “token or paternalistic.” The SSC is a support network for Residential School Survivors with four main priorities: Cultural Connectedness, Holistic Wellness, First Nations, Métis, and Non-Indigenous Inclusion, and Systemic Change.

With the continued support of the FG Foundation, and the hard work of volunteers and Survivors, the SSC has forged lasting cultural connections with their network through traditional craft, ceremony and technology and has become an organized, dynamic support group for its members in the city of Saskatoon.

The Waseskun Healing Centre was founded in 1988 near Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez, QC, with a mission to aid the healing process of incarcerated Indigenous men, while guiding their successful re-entry into their families, communities, and Nations. 

The non-profit, Indigenous-led organization collaborates with local First Nations communities and Elders who share their knowledge of tradition, ceremony, and how to live well. Through these and other land-based teachings, residents at Waseskun learn how to accept responsibility for their actions and to understand the consequences they have created for themselves and others.

In the spring of 2021, a grant from the FG Foundation helped Waseskun Healing Centre launch a new program to aid its residents in obtaining long-term employment, formal education, and more. 

The Barbara Monture Malloch Education Resource Centre (BMMERC) offered residents practical skills courses in safely operating power tools and light construction equipment, as well as preparatory classes for undertaking the standardized high school equivalency test (GED). 

The BMMERC also granted residents access to a new library, complete with new computer equipment, which allowed them to improve their literacy skills and technological proficiency. Not only did this empower residents to improve their career prospects for the future, but it also enabled many to embark on personal research projects involving Indigenous language, community, family, tradition, heritage, and reconciliation.

The Waseskun Healing Centre says plans for the BMMERC include negotiations for residents to get hands-on training while working on local construction projects, the development of a carpentry training course, and the implementation of a higher education program for residents. 

Barbara Monture Malloch Education Resource Centre

The Waseskun Healing Centre is a non-profit, Indigenous-led organization focused on the healing of incarcerated Indigenous men and their successful re-entry into their communities. 

Last year, a grant from the FG Foundation helped Waseskun Healing Centre and The Barbara Monture Malloch Education Resource Centre (BMMERC) offer courses in operating power tools and light construction equipment, as well as preparatory classes for the high school equivalency test (GED). 

The program also supported a new library, including computer equipment, empowering residents to improve their career prospects. 

The Mary Duncan School is located in the small town of The Pas, MB, bordered by the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. The school offers alternative programming, allowing students to complete the regular high school curriculum at a pace that meets their individual needs. 

In Sept. 2021, students saw a new addition to the curriculum – the “Reclaiming Indigenous Knowledge in Public Schools” program was implemented with the support by the FG Foundation. The program aimed to bring traditional land-based Northern Cree and Metis teachings to grades 7 through 12.

Young people had the opportunity to earn high school credits while learning in First Nations, Metis and Inuit studies. Activities included drumming, beading, and ribbon skirt making workshops, and taking part in other land-based activities.

The land-based activities the students took part in reflected the changing seasons: in the fall, they prepared, canned, and stored food for the winter; in the winter, they learned how to trap animals, snowshoe, and survive in harsh weather conditions. 

Students were also taught traditional Northern Cree methods of food preparation, such as how to make pemmican, stews, soups, and Bannock.

Prior to the program’s implementation, many of the students had limited experience to land-based learning. The “Reclaiming Indigenous Knowledge in Public Schools” program gave students at the Mary Duncan School an opportunity to explore their culture, traditions, and a connection to the land. This program has allowed school administrators to experience and share daily smudge ceremonies, a new experience for some students.

If you want to learn more about the Mary Duncan School, follow this link.

Mary Duncan School (Kelsey School District)

Reclaiming Indigenous Knowledge in Public Schools

The Mary Duncan School in Manitoba founded its seasonal land-based learning program in Sept. 2021 in an effort to decolonize public school education.

The “Reclaiming Indigenous Knowledge in Public Schools” program, supported by the FG Foundation, was a six-month endeavor to introduce traditional Northern Cree and Metis teachings to students from grades 7 to 12. 

Young people had the opportunity to earn high school credits while learning in First Nations, Metis and Inuit studies. Activities include drumming, beading, and ribbon skirt making workshops, and taking part in other land-based activities.

Joy O’Brien is a residential school survivor who, with the support of the FG Foundation and her family is gaining the traditional knowledge of moose hide tanning. Joy is not only a survivor, but also an intergenerational survivor whose goal is to bring hide tanning skills back into her family line and pass along the knowledge to her children and grandchildren. 

Joy was able to join a moose hunt with her family, where they travelled on the land by foot and machine to learn to find signs of moose. During the harvesting, the group learned how to take great care and pay respect to the animal for giving up its life, how to use only what is needed and to use all that is harvested. Joy had the chance to listen to her traditional language and speak the words related to moose hunting and hide tanning. She also leaned all the steps in producing a quality moose hide. Her time out on the land gave her the opportunity to strengthen family connections, learn important cultural skills, and new teachings to share with family and the people she works with.  

The Community of Membertou and its Elders recognize the importance of sharing culture and history with all people and believe that this sharing and celebration must come from the community itself. With support from the FG Foundation, the Membertou Heritage Park launched the Kun'tewiktuk: A Celebration of Mi'kmaq Art, Music, and Culture program, an arts program that fosters the growth of the next generation of Mi’kmaw artists. 

Aspiring young artists received a bursary and were paired with a mentor for periodic one on one training. All participants were nominated through Membertou First Nation, for the six-to-seven-month program.  The young artists specialties include photography, beadwork, and painting. The mentors worked with the artists through virtual workshops to introduce viewers to the craft, discuss the cultural & historical significance, and teach key practices & techniques for those interested in pursuing opportunities in each artists’ discipline. 

These mentorships provided the young artists a chance to hone their skills, learn from a respected artist, and carve a new path to success. The final stages of the program will see the artists creating and having the chance to showcase their work inside the Membertou Heritage Park, a community space that offers a living history of the people of Membertou. Over the course of the project, Kun'tewktuk has documented the journey of these young artists and share their experiences and artistic creations.  View it here. The workshops were recorded and posted online to be shared with viewers across Turtle Island. 

Kun'tewiktuk: A Celebration of Mi'kmaq Art, Music, and Culture

Taylor has challenged herself with an educational goal to achieve a Juris Doctor degree from a law school, and this May, she completed that goal by becoming a member of the graduating class from Queen’s Law in Kingston in 2022. Taylor is now planning to return to her community of Akwesasne to practice law and immerse herself in community work relating to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, adults, and elders. 

The scholarships Taylor received from the FG Foundation have helped with tuition and eased the stress of the transition from home to university. With the help of the FG Foundation, Taylor was able to stress less about finances and focus more on her studies to reach her goals. 

To foster community and personal development, the Journey to my Best Self program focuses on healing and reconciliation for the people in the Akaitcho region, specifically for the Smith's Landing First Nation, Salt River First Nation, and the Northwest Territories Métis membership. 

The program is a culture-based program that created opportunities to heal for personal development. The program hosted a variety of cultural and educational activities with an emphasis on historical policies and interventions that have deeply disrupted the intergenerational exchange of traditional knowledge.

The facilitated workshops focused on helping participants identify personal wellness goals to work towards and created a welcoming place to hold talking circles and discuss the intergenerational residential school traumas that affects their region. Participants taught Dene traditional values, laws, and relationships and learned how to build on them for a positive future. Participants also explored different communication tools, traditional crafting, arts lessons and cultural skills like moose hide tanning, ribbon skirt and shirt making. The group included adults of all ages including Elders and residential school survivors. 

The program was created with hopes to help the people to recognize their own value, connect to inner strengths and inner resources within themselves and grow as strong Dene.

The Peguis Foundation Inc. Spirit and the Land Excursion Camp brought 116 youth out on the land to experience culture, music, arts, and land-based learning through eight different day camps. The planning team was committed to get youth outside and on the land during different seasons, even under the pandemic conditions. Each camp day started with a ceremony lead by community Elders and each had a different focus. 

The many camps focused on several themes: Elder care and how youth can be more helpful and supportive to our community elders; camps on traditional craft making skills of ribbon skirts, shirts, shields, moccasins and drum making; on the land medicine picking, medicine pouches and teachings; the sweat lodge camp included the material gathering of wood and rocks; the land based skills of fishing and lunch preparation on the local beaver pond.

These camps brought Elders and Youth together and each day’s activities brought excitement and positive learning experience. The program helped bring youth together and helped strengthen family connections through cultural programming and teachings. 

Justin is pursuing his undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Manitoba studying film and philosophy. He’s a passionate student who aims to use his degree in film to spotlight rural Indigenous communities in Manitoba and help amplify the voices of their community members through documentary or narrative features. 

Support from the FG Foundation has helped him with tuition and books and given him the chance to connect with other youth leaders. Justin hopes to use his education to help him advocate for more rights for Indigenous youth across Canada and says, “In these unique and difficult times my heart is full knowing I can pursue my education goals with this kind of support“. 

“In these unique and difficult times my heart is full knowing I can pursue my education goals with this kind of support“. 

A film documenting Rapid Word Collection, a language curation methodology with the Haisla community of Kitamaat, BC and First Nations Education Foundation. The video is an amazing example of what community led language revitalization work looks like. The FG Foundation was the major funder of this project and we honor the incredible efforts by the Haisla First Nation and First Nations Education Foundation in making this rejuvenation project a success now and for the future! 

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2lY3T0hUw4 

First Nations Education Foundation and Haisla Nation Council

Haislakala - Healing through Language & Culture Revitalizations and Rapid Word Collection

A film documenting Rapid Word Collection, a language curation methodology with the Haisla community of Kitamaat, BC and the First Nations Education Foundation.

Located in the northwest region of Winnipeg, the Seven Oaks School Division runs the Ojibwe Bilingual Language Program. The program is a FG Foundation multi-year beneficiary and has been supported by the Trust Fund since 2017. The program has grown with the students from Kindergarten to grade 5 and is now entering the Middle Years. There are currently over 100 First Nations and Métis students enrolled in the language immersion lessons and multiple First Nations teachers and support staff. 

The language program has played an important role in many of the student’s lives by connecting them with culture and language learning they may not have access to while in-care or at home. The program is connecting staff, students and their families with community Elders and Knowledge Keepers, creating networking and professional development opportunities, and is helping to increase the number of Ojibwe language speakers within Treaty One Territory.  Through the program, the Seven Oaks School District can support Indigenous teachers and support staff as they strengthen their language skills through the Indigenous Language Certification program at Red River College and the University of Winnipeg.

Riverbend School and the Seven Oaks School Division remain committed to recovering and preserving Indigenous languages through in-school programming and community involvement.  Through the Ojibwe Bilingual Language program, they create and provide language learning opportunities for their students and community members through Indigenous ways of being, learning and doing and are directly helping to create long-term sustainable language learning and development accessible for future generations. 

Indigenous Language Revitalization Initiatives Growing our Own Anishinaabemowin Speakers

Located in the northwest region of Winnipeg, the Seven Oaks School Division runs the Ojibwe Bilingual Language Program. The program is a FG Foundation multi-year beneficiary and has been supported by the Trust Fund since 2017. 

Amanda is extremely grateful to be an FG Foundation scholarship recipient. She is enrolled in her 2nd year of 4-year Juris Doctorate, Joint Degree in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders, at the University of Victoria. Amanda aspires to work for our Nations and create change to build a better future for all Indigenous peoples and communities so adversely impacted by laws and policies that are not our own. Amanda says, “I feel that in order to progress as a people we need to be able to understand the language of the law and make it applicable to our Indigenous Laws”. 

With support from the FG Foundation, Amanda was able to alleviate multiple stresses for her and had the chance to put some extra focus into making sure her family’s needs were met while she was in school. 

Amanda aspires to work for our Nations and create change to build a better future for all Indigenous peoples and communities so adversely impacted by laws and policies that are not our own. 

The FG Foundation provided us the opportunity to create a program to  deliver services of trauma informed healing, employability training,  Metis culture and identity strengthening activities. Our Metis Women’s  Bridging program offered weekly professional trauma counselling to  survivors and family members and a series of workshops. Workshops  included traditional meal preparation, medicine preparation and Métis  art teachings and creation. Participants are now able to connect to a  positive support system for themselves and their families while  continuing to address and reduce isolation, and maintain connections to  Métis culture, language and community.  They can also actively teach the  next generation and increase cultural engagement at both the family and  community-level.

“Thank you to the FG Foundation for investing in the healing and resilience of Metis Women. Often it is a  challenge for Metis survivors who suffer traumas to access funding for  professional counselling and be able to access Metis-specific trauma  informed programs. This program was indeed life changing for the women  who participated.”

– Victoria Pruden, Executive Director, Bridges for Women Society

The primary purpose of the ”We Are Better Together” program was to address some of the major issues stemming from the impacts of Indian Residential School, such as; loss of language, culture, family structure, and disconnection from the land.  Okanagan language, traditional knowledge building, and food preparation workshops were held seasonally throughout the year while also incorporating cultural identity, self-esteem/expression and self-awareness. Participants learned traditional territory locations, kokanne and trout fishing, berry picking, tea and medicine gathering. The program also included a “Calling Our Spirits Home – Healing Walk” from Kamloops Indian Residential School to the communities of Quilchena and Spahomin as a way of enriching solidarity and healing as a community.  High interest and attendance of these workshops and the walk confirm this programming is needed and has direct beneficial impacts on individuals, families and community.

Kwu Xast “We Are Better Together” Program

“The Kwu Xast program provided language workshops and training to teach Okanagan language.  Students participated in field trips to traditional territories and enjoyed knowledge keeper storytelling”

The Cree language program’s primary objective is to expose students to their language and culture through learning activities in and outside the classroom. We offered land based learning of traditional skills and teachings, invited Elders and Survivors to teach youth or history and share their experiences.  Elders volunteered and taught students in school through storytelling, drum and rattle making, sewing traditional regalia and outfits. Youth learned from knowledge keepers how to build shelters, dancing, making a fire, tree identification, picking herbs, cultivation of medicines, fishing, and snaring of small game. The program also held traditional feasts/gatherings throughout the year to showcase student achievements in the program and language development.

Mentoni kwayask awasisak kistohtamowsowak nehiyawin/Young Children Understanding Themselves Through the Cree Language 

"The FG Foundation has provided an opportunity for Swan River First Nation to assist students in the revitalization of the Cree language and culture in our community through Cree language classes, head start programming and several cultural activities. The Metoni kwayask awasisak kistohtamowsowak nehiyawin program allowed the youth to feel a sense of pride and are working towards making healthy life choices.” 

The MALS hosted a series of focus groups, research, discussion, and engagement with department heads, future students, alumni and Elders to revitalize, retain and promote Indigenous languages through the creation of an Indigenous language teacher certification program.  The resulting language model is adaptable to meet various institutional specifications and can be utilized across the province.

“The Manitoba Aboriginal Language Strategy (MALS) is a committee driven strategy to revitalize, retain and promote the survival of Indigenous languages in Manitoba. Receiving funding has enabled the organization to move forward in the development of an Indigenous focused language teacher training certification program. This is a significant project for Manitoba, and we are incredibly grateful to the FG Foundation for the opportunity to make it a reality.”

Funding provided by the FG Foundation assisted the Ontario Native Literacy Coalition to create a unique technology and literacy based program. The goals of the I-STEAM program were to provide adult learners the opportunity to explore the fields of Indigenous Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. The initiative was piloted in three sites throughout Ontario and we found many students engaged and eager to participate. The students, as a result of I-STEAM programming, had increased their individual literacy and work place employability.

“The Indigenous-Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (I-STEAM) program was developed as a targeted learning resource for adult literacy. The program is filled with exciting and innovative lesson plans for every level. The I-STEAM program helps students to understand that Indigenous peoples have always had this knowledge in their ancestors’ repertoire to survive since time immemorial. The Ontario Native Literacy Coalition (ONLC) would like to see more students pursue careers in these areas and to know it is genetically embedded in their DNA to be leaders in these fields.”

-Michelle Davis, CEO, Ontario Native Literacy Coalition

This program’s main objective had been to provide language classes and certificate customized to meet the community’s priorities for language revitalization. These classes encouraged and promoted Cree as the working language in Chisasibi organizations.  The results have been great, language capacity has increased and students have acquired the skills, tools, knowledge and strategies to promote and use the Cree language within the community.  The staff at the Chisasibi Heritage and Cultural Centre have a renewed and strengthened sense of responsibility as Language Keepers.

Victoria, British Columbia and Chisasibi Heritage and Cultural Centre, Quebec

Certificate Program in Aboriginal Language Revitalization

“I have been inspired and humbled for the opportunity to work alongside our partners from Chisasibi Cultural and Heritage Centre. The protection of the Cree language, stories, cultural history, and traditional practices – this demonstrates their resilience and strength in response to colonization, the impact of residential schools, and the relocation of the entire community. While the University of Victoria is just a small part of their journey, I think that it’s significant to mention that we had 23 graduates. This speaks to the significance and impact of co-developing educational programs with community partners and stakeholders.”

-Tania Muir, Director of Cultural Management Programs, Division of Continuing Studies, University of Victoria

The goals of this community program was to provide a language outreach program as a means to heal the traumas of residential schools through a rejuvenation of Cree language. Classes were offered to students from all levels of knowledge and included everyone from Elders who did not have language learning opportunities, to fluent Cree speakers wanting to re-acquire literacy skills, and to non-Cree speakers starting with the basics of the Cree language. The program attained its objective of increasing language literacy to survivors and their children with 150 participants.  There has also been increased outreach for Cree language learning to the greater Cree community through a social media Cree language page. This page has users across the several Cree communities and, as a result, is promoting and expanding the Cree language.  This program has helped our community to be more in touch with our beautiful language and solidify the importance of language to the connection with our ancestors and culture.

Maintaining our Language: Cree Literacy for Wemindji Adults

 “I was thinking last night before I went to bed about the language and the meaning of words and I remembered hearing my grandmother and aunt talking to me before I went to residential school.  It’s different now, the language, people don’t speak that way anymore.  I was thinking after our class last night, that what we are learning, this is the right way how to say it.”

– Wemindji Community Cree Language Program Student

“I am grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of the FG Foundation. My goal as a future physician is to work with First Nation communities and address issues on inadequate primary health care. I also want to focus on mental health issues that are affecting First Nation communities at epidemic rates. As a First Nation doctor, I will be able to advocate for our communities and make a change.”

“I am grateful for the support from FG Foundation and continue working with the Dene Youth in my community of Fort Good Hope, NWT. My research focus has been on the impacts of residential school trauma on youth, while finding ways to empower them in their Dene identity. I aim to strengthen myself and my community with my research.  My research has been challenging but funding has helped me continue my studies.”

Scholarship – PhD, Indigenous Studies, Philosophy

The Ripple Effect is a community-based program developed to reconnect community with culture. The program’s main focus has been language revitalization and hosting cultural events throughout the year in partnership with the Lennox Island Health Center. Our goal was to open the discussion of intergenerational impacts of Residential Schools within the community and find positive ways to heal. The program has brought about new ways to introduce language learning styles and techniques to promote and ensure community members become fluent Mi’kmaq speakers.

“The sense of pride amongst our community members is growing each and every time someone takes a step forward on their healing journey. The Ripple Effect program allows us to learn together and heal together. It is an amazing process.” 

“Funding from the FG Foundation had helped motivate me to complete my studies. I have furthered my personal skills and knowledge while contributing to my community.  My community has and will continue to benefit from my culinary program, as I will provide my community my skills and knowledge by teaching and educating about meal preparation and nutrition information.”

“My cultural learning experience has been humbling. I have had the opportunity to learn my Mi’kmaq traditions and knowledge. My family had taught me that it’s our responsibility to share our knowledge and I am so grateful to now to have learned about my culture. I hope to share these teachings with my community. My experience with the FG Foundation was simple and straight forward.  Each and every person I spoke with were so efficient, professional yet very friendly.”

Damien Rodriquez

Ontario

FG Communication

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