Endorsements

“This Initiative offers grassroots solutions a forum to connect with a new audience of supporters, potential partners and funders interested in creative ideas that will promote First Nations, Métis and Inuit success in learning. We know the solutions exist – as community programs making a difference, growing start-ups, and fresh ideas springing from local citizens. This is an open and respectful space for a broad coalition of people to come together to support learning in the classroom and beyond that are most important for individual transformation and system change." 
- Delyse Sylvester, Director of Community, Ashoka Changemakers

“The Assembly of First Nations launched a national Call to Action on First Nations Education in June 2010.  We have pressed for transformative change and partnership among all sectors of Canadian society, recognizing the tremendous potential for all of Canadian society to benefit from increased investment and improved outcomes in First Nation education. I am very pleased to learn of the Initiative launched by Ashoka Canada Changemakers that will highlight innovative projects and encourage the sharing and enhanced collaboration of exciting ideas to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit learning. Linking agents of change within our communities to resources and the broader community of innovators from various fields across Canada is an excellent way to enable, support and rapidly increase the rate and pace of innovation and change among all First Nations right across Canada. I applaud and support this effort and wish to express our appreciation for the leadership shown by Ashoka Canada Changemakers Initiative.” 
- National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, Assembly of First Nations

“As President of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, I am writing this letter in support of the Ashoka Changemakers Initiative on First Nations, Métis and Inuit Learning. It is my understanding that the Initiative will involve collaboration and participation around ideas to support improved outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners in early childhood, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, career counselling and training programs.  Aboriginal education, and more precisely the educational successes of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, continues to be a priority for the Canadian Teachers’ Federation. We continue to advocate for appropriate levels of resources for the institutions that support these students, and to work collaboratively with partners in attempting to find ways for these students to achieve to their potential.”
- Paul Taillefer, President, Canadian Teachers' Federation

“On behalf of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, I support and appreciate the efforts outlined in the Ashoka Changemakers project ‘Inspiring Approaches: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Learning’.  The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples as a National Aboriginal Organization represents the interests of off-reserve non-status and status Indians and Métis Aboriginal Peoples living in urban, rural, remote and isolated areas throughout Canada.  We are also the national voice for the constituency and their affiliate organizations making up the Congress family of advocates for the off-reserve Aboriginal Peoples of Canada. The Congress has been working toward an Economic Development Strategy for the off-reserve Aboriginal Peoples of Canada, and I believe that the Ashoka Changemakers project is one which would greatly benefit our constituency. This project holds the potential to benefit all of the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.”
- Betty Ann Lavallée, CD, (Ret), National Chief, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples

“Our foundation is delighted to be part of this Changemakers Initiative. We recognize that Aboriginal Peoples in Canada are one of the fastest growing cultural demographic groups and that many regions of the country will soon face a shortage of skilled labour. Learning outcomes, inside and beyond the classroom, for many Aboriginal people needs to be improved as a first step in order to close the gap on these employment and career opportunities. Inspiring Approaches to First Nations, Métis and Inuit Learning is certainly a good start to achieving this goal.”
- Bruce Lawson, Executive Director, The Counselling Foundation of Canada and Executive Officer, Canadian Education & Research Institute for Counselling

"Projects like the Changemakers Initiative are an excellent way of recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations in our communities who strive to make a difference in Inuit education. Having just launched the National Strategy on Inuit Education, this Initiative clearly complements what our National Committee on Inuit Education is working to accomplish: bringing about change and sharing best practices in the education and learning outcomes for Inuit.”
- Mary Simon, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

“Prizes are just the start – the real impact of the competition is realized when funders and policy-makers get behind the best ideas and support their dissemination.”
- Stephen Huddart, CEO, the J. W. McConnell Family Foundation

“Inspiring Approaches to First Nations, Métis and Inuit Learning offers an opportunity for discussion about ideas and projects, which will lead to improved learning outcomes.  The Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative (MAEI) is very pleased to be a partner in such an innovative project. We hope to feature submissions on the Promising Practices in Aboriginal Education clearinghouse website.”
- Lucie Santoro, Administration Director, Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative

“Education is the key to so many successes in life and we’ve learned that it really does take an entire community to support and encourage our Métis learners to strive and achieve excellence. It’s through forward thinking initiatives like the Changemakers Initiative that we can promote learning through the sharing of unique, creative and practical ideas brought to the table through the online community. This Initiative takes community engagement to the next level – I have no doubt that Métis across the Homeland will benefit as a result of this initiative.”
- Clément Chartier, President, Métis National Council

"The National Association of Friendship Centres’ Aboriginal Youth Council would like to express their full support for an opportunity for all Aboriginal people to engage in an online initiative that will connect us with educators, funders, and other Aboriginal people, communities and organizations. Reaching out to urban, to rural, to institutions, to individuals, and to various sectors for ideas, strategies and projects that invigorate and energize thought on education and learning for Aboriginal people is an important step in the right direction for Aboriginal people."
- Kody Taylor, President, National Association of Friendship Centres’ Aboriginal Youth Council 

"I would like to take the opportunity to personally wish you success with the launch of the Inspiring Approaches to First Nations, Métis and Inuit Learning, within Changemakers. The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is supporting of a global online community, like Changemakers, which supports everyone’s ability to make a different by inspiring, mentoring, and collaborating with other members of the community…We have a vision of Aboriginal communities where women have an opportunity to develop their talents; are encouraged to live healthy lifestyles by maintaining balance; are encouraged to learn out history and traditional ways; and accept and exercise their responsibilities to contribute to a strong community in every area. On behalf of me and my team at NWAC, we welcome the wealth of resources that will advance these goals through the many resources that will be available on your website."
- Claudette Dumont Smith, Executive Director, Native Women's Assocation of Canada

""This Changemaker competition is important in two ways 1. It allows all sizes of initiatives to have a voice and to learn from other initiatives, thereby creating  a network. 2. It creates interest and a national space for reflection and inspection of initiatives in all stages of development. I do hope that the media picks up on this initiative and focuses Canadian society on some of the good things that are happening in Aboriginal communities."
- Mary Gordon, Founder and President, Roots of Empathy

“Small Change Fund was founded on the principle that the most effective and long-lasting solutions to local issues are those identified and carried out by community members on the ground. We believe that real change comes from the grassroots, and people know their own communities best. It is in this spirit that we are working with Mamow Sha-way-gi-kay-win: North South Partnership for Children and Ashoka Canada to engage youth from remote and isolated Northern Ontario communities in the creation, development and execution of high-impact projects that will positively affect Northern communities.”
- Dani LaGiglia, Program Director, Small Change Fund

“As a community foundation the Changemakers Initiative offers a vehicle to connect local innovation and expertise to a national network of people and organizations with a desire to surface, appreciate, support and learn from outstanding approaches to First Nations, Métis and Inuit learning. Participation also plugs us into a national set of funders with shared interests and values, and in a way where we feel we can add value beyond the grant. Community foundations can spread the word about the Initiative through their own networks, nominate projects they know and invest in the promising strategies that will emerge. They can even choose to support a specific community award. We’re excited to be working and learning with Ashoka and all of the partners!”
- Mark Gifford, Program Director, Vancouver Foundation