Exchanges Unite Us - Intercultural Exchanges in NWT
- Arts & culture
- Citizen participation
- Intercultural relations
- Indigenous cultures
- Education
- Youth development
- Youth leadership
Kiera
Kolson
KieraKolson
Canadian Roots Exchange - Les échanges des racines canadiennes
, NT
Yes
First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, Other.
Non-profit organization.
1‐5 years
The Canadian Roots Exchange seeks to bridge the cultural divide in Canada through intercultural youth-to-elder exchanges and field courses in the NWT.
Expanding (it has been running for a while, has grown, you know it is making a difference and now you want to expand)
The Canadian Roots Exchange is dedicated to fulfilling our vision and fostering a generation of leaders who will take action to build a cooperative, proud future for Canada. For Aboriginal youth, we provide a leadership opportunity, and an opportunity for many Aboriginal youth from many parts of this country to see other communities, learn about the unique cultures of other Aboriginal communities and to see the strength of the communities that are thriving in Canada. For non-Aboriginal youth, we offer an opportunity to experience a part of their country that otherwise would never be opened to them, to see both the strengths and the struggles through the words of proud leaders from the communities. For the communities we provide an opportunity to share knowledge with the next generation.
Expand our initiative into a national youth cultural program, operating exchanges in every province and territory in Canada.
Sharing Aboriginal identity is at the heart of this country’s national well being and will persist as the greatest challenge for generations of Aboriginal leaders to come as they embark on a process of reconciliation with the peoples of this land. Of fundamental importance to uniting around a shared character is the exploration of Canadian Aboriginal heritage and its influences on modern national policy and culture. The continued growth of the Canadian Roots Exchange will build a generation of leaders with the knowledge and experience to negotiate a better treaty relationship between Aboriginal Peoples and Canada. This program will also inspire hundreds of young Canadians both Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal to see their country through a different, indigenous lens.
We have been very fortunate to create healthy working relationships with various people, business's and nations. These healthy working relationships are important to our project because when sharing traditional teachings the approach is different then the western context. We understand that in order to provide a well rounded adequate exchange that we will have to work within the capacity of our community and we look forward to working alongside everyone.
Various partners will contribute to the success of our exchange, one for example will be The Healing Drum society. We are approaching them to assist with creating a better understanding on Residential School Era and it's effects,as well as providing emotional support to our participants. The Healing Drum Society's participation will be essential in assisting with providing our participants with a better understanding of just how damaging the intergenerational effects are of the Residential School Era, and how we can collectively move forward into a healthier educated relationship. If people learn something, they can't unlearn it.
Accommodation-Possible for donation-in-kind.
Food-Possibility for Traditional Food and contemporary food donated.
Facilitator: Presentations/Facilitation some individuals may donate their time.
Teaming up with the rec-coordinator will assist with easier integration into the community dynamic.
No (skip next two questions)