Project Name	Description	Location
Seed Starters	Seed Starters: Poetry in the Park, is a series of bi-weekly gatherings in Tkaronto for young poets and writers to be able to have a communal space to write and share their ideas with their peers. Making use of our access to parks across the city, we will be hosting writing circles and poetry workshops which will be facilitated in a picnic style, sitting in circle, writing and sharing snacks. The project aims to encourage  FNMI youth to establish a connection to community, culture and practices (written and oral storytelling) as to ensure they aren't left behind in this fast moving and modern world. The project will create a safe and consistent space for youth while out of school.	Toronto
Mino Bimaadiziwin (The Good Life)	Mino bimaadziwin (the good life) is a Indigenous youth-led group project on Walepole Island First Nation with the goal to increase the amount of youth and community exposure to harm reduction and addiction awareness. The community is seeing an increase of youth and elementary school aged youth using substances, and bringing substances to school. The group aims to decrease in youth who are experimenting by teaching them about traditional roles, teachings and creating a safe space to share their experiences.The group will also bring in people with lived experiences, and older youth they may look up to share their stories and journey with addictions and to provide hope, belonging and meaning in June 2025.	Walpole Island First Nation
Youth Sweat: Walking Together – Ages 12 to 35	Youth Sweat: Walking Together – Ages 12 to 35 is a Indigenous youth-led group project in Toronto and Wikwemikong First Nation. Youth Sweat: Walking Together will host a land-based sweat lodge ceremony for Indigenous youth ages 12 to 35. This gathering will bring together youth at all stages of their journey to share teachings, healing, and connection through ceremony. Rooted in culture and guided by Elders, it’s a space to build relationships, honour spirit, and walk together in a good way. Taking place in August or september this ceremony helps youth ground themselves before entering a new season of life. The group wishes to address cultural isolation in cities and in systems not built for Indigenous youth, that are often left without access to traditional practices. This project is about changing that. The project is motivated by love forcommunity, by gratitude for the teachings received, and by a responsibility to pass those teachings on. This ceremony isn’t just an event—it’s a doorway for youth to reconnect with spirit, culture, and self. We’re here to hold that door open, together.	Toronto/ Wikwemikong
Our Voice Through Imagery	"Our Voice Through Imagery" is an Indigenous youth-led group project in Hamilton, ON."Our Voice Through Imagery" is a creative initiative designed to connect Indigenous youth with the dynamic world of arts and media, while highlighting the powerful impact art can have on mental health and well-being. This project aims to provide young Indigenous individuals with the tools, resources, and inspiration to pursue careers in the arts and media industries, fostering a sense of empowerment, community, and self-expression. The workshop will be offered to youth in the Endaayaang program, a Housing First initiative that supports Indigenous youth aged 16-24 who have aged out of child welfare, been involved in the justice system, or are at risk of homelessness. As part of the program, the youth meet at the Friendship Centre twice a week to connect and take part in programming. The project plans to facilitate this workshop and invite Indigenous filmmaker Jordan Wanakamik to share insights on film and storytelling through that perspective! ​	Hamilton
TJD's Photography	​TJD's Photographing will host monthly photoshoots to provide Indigenous Youth, Families and Elders free photos from Pic mobert to Sault Ste Marie. The program aims to lift Indigenous Spirits and promote life. Pic Mobert reserve in a tough spot and by having an opportunity to take pictures with their family, will bring them out of the house it will definitely benefit their mental health.	Pic Mobert First Nation
Our name was asked in ceremony	This is a youth-led gorup from Mnidoo Mnis ( Manitoulin Island), RHT Area. Their “Autism Family Support Collective” is a community-driven initiative dedicated to empowering families with individuals on the autism spectrum. The group provides culturally relevant support through a blend of modern and traditional events. By offering support groups, workshops, and a network, we aim to reduce stigma, promote understanding, and help families navigate the unique challenges of autism with confidence and connection. Together, we create a supportive environment where every individual on the autism spectrum is valued and every family feels heard, supported, and seen.This collective will be dedicated to supporting families and children with autism is essential for several reasons, rooted in the unique challenges faced by these communities and the potential benefits of culturally relevant and community-based care. Indigenous families who have children with autism often face distinct barriers that make accessing appropriate support more difficult. These challenges include geographical isolation, cultural differences in understanding and addressing disabilities, and historical trauma related to colonialism.	Mnidoo Mnis (Manitoulin Island) ​ RHT Area
Jingle Dress Making and Teachings	Jingle Dress Making and Teachings is a Indigenous Youth-led group project in Bawating. The group believes the Jingle Dress is more than just a regalia, it’s a powerful symbol of healing, resilience, and cultural pride. The group's Jingle Dress Program will include two workshops Jingle Dress Making and Teachings; and Applique Moccasin and Legging ( weekly for 10 weeks from May to June 2025). The group is dedicated to teaching and preserving this sacred tradition, offering hands-on workshops in dress-making, dance, and storytelling. Participants will learn the history and significance of the Jingle Dress while connecting with community, elders, and mentors. Through movement and music, the group will create a space for empowerment, wellness, and cultural revitalization. The group will honor the past, celebratethe present, and inspire future generations—one step, one jingle at a time. The group's project will highlight deep connection to the cultural and spiritual significance of the Jingle Dress. It represents healing, resilience, and identity—values that are not only personal but vital for the well-being of our community.	Baawaating
Akitigaaning	Akitigaaning is an Indigenous youth-led group project. Akitigaaning is a community garden and food forest initiative in Kaboni, an area of Wikwemikoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island. Akitigaaning aims to plant gardens and fruit bearing trees as a means of sustenance, reclaiming food sovereignty, and renewing connection with the land. Akitigaaning will spend the growing season, from spring to fall building and maintaining the gardens. A bulk of the yield will be shared with the community of Wikwemikoong, prioritizing those in need. Akitigaaning will engage community members of Wikwemikoong, with a particular emphasis on young people who are interested in gardening and food sovereignty. The project will include knowledge sharing and exchanges amongst participants young and old including traditional knowledge, teachings and/or practices. The beneficiaries of this project go beyond just those involved in the building, planting and learning of the garden but the wider community as with each harvest, the project will coordinate the drop-off and pick-up of freshly harvested produce through social media and bulletin posts. The project then will begin to prepare the land, build out our garden beds and prepare them for transplanting. Akitigaaning continue to connect with and recruit community members. Throughout the growing season, as Akitigaaning work's to maintain the gardens they will have experts join to support learning and knowledge building. In seasons of harvest, they will organize within the community to distribute our yield.	Wikwemikoong
Gidagaakoons Beads (Spotted Fawn Beads)	Gidagaakoons Beads (Spotted Fawn Beads) is a Indigenous youth-led group project in Batchewana First Nation. This project focuses on beadwork, the creation of regalia accesories, and jewellry. This project is all hand made using their own designes, with their own hands. Their designes come from their vision, what they see, and what they feel during the creative process."Beaded headbands, earrings and much more all made by me and my friends. Look your best with custom designes and colours, different size beads, and a one of a kind look." This group would like to be able to bead their own accesories, as it is very hard to find people to bead big projects.It is very costly to have these things made. It would mean a lot to the group to be able to wear their own designes, and help those looking to get bead work done. Elders have shared their knowlege on beading with this group, and they are able to share what they have learned with other youth in the community. This is something that can continue for years to come, learning and passing down their knowledge.	Batchewana First Nation
Lifting Our Spirits	Lifting Our Spirits project is Indigenous Youth Group project, colead by a Mother and Daughter, who will create 3 murals in all 3 of Batchewana First Nation communities (Rankin, Goulais and Batchewana Bay) in Summer 2025. The project will involve Batchewana First Nation youth and base the murals around things that lift our spirits. The theme of the murals will be a life promotion; that encourages youth to keep going, to find things that lift their own spirits, to be proud of who they are and where they come from. The project is dedicated to the sister of a group member that passed away to suicide while in Foster care; to honour her by promoting mental, spiritual, and cultural wellbeing for Indigenous Youths.	Batchewana First Nation
Marker Trees – Indigenous Youth Reconnecting with Traditional Knowledge and Practice.	Marker Trees – Indigenous Youth Reconnecting with Traditional Knowledge and Practice is an Indigenous youth-led group project developing a short documentary film focusing on the practice of Marker Trees – culturally modified trees used as a system of marking territory and direction to life-giving areas (hunting, fishing, rivers, etc.) and villages. These practices were prevalent across Indigenous territories, but this knowledge has been severed in the last decades. This project seeks to record Elders' teachings, share with the next generation, and revive these practices by bringing together Elders, language speakers, and youth. The Marker Trees documentary film tells the Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag youth's journey to reconnect with land-based teachings and practices and voice their ideas on stewarding the land. Working with Waterfront Toronto and with the guidance of Elders and mentors to plant and bend trees at the newly constructed Flood Protection Park – Ookwemin Minising, this film documents the youths’ work to revitalize knowledge and practices to map historically significant territories and sites and reflect on how these are relevant to Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.	Toronto
Enwá:ton' ken ne enhsekkaratón:hahse (Can you tell me a story?)	Enwá:ton' ken ne enhsekkaratón:hahse is an Indigenous Youth lead group project that focuses on sitting with knowledge holders and Elders within the community to record their knowledge and stories for future generations. This is important because with each elder we lose, we lose a piece of the knowledge and stories that they held. The project is looking to change that so that they still live on through the recordings of the stories and knowledge they share and future generations can continue to learn and grow from these recordings.	Akwesasne
Mazinigwaade it is sewn with designs	Mazinigwaade it is sewn with designs, is an Indigenous Youth lead group project in Garden River First Nation, that will host 2-3 classes to help youth and young adults make ribbon skirts or shirts . Mazinigwaade believes all Indigenous Youth should get a chance to have the feeling of making their own skirt or shirt and to have the knowledge after to make more or pass on knowledge to others.	Garden River First Nation
Oshke Maanidoog (young spirits)	Oshke Maanidoog (young spirits) is an Indigenous youth-led group project, co-lead by two Youth who have aged out of the Child Welfare System in Bawating. The project will host online and in person cultural workshops (in the Summer and afterschool) for Indigenous youth in Bawating and Michipicoten First Nations. The project aims to create space where youth can explore their heritage and share their creativity with others. The project will use art as a powerful tool for cultural preservation and personal growth. Sessions will be hosted at the Michipicoten Child Welfare Office, that is partnered to help provide volunteers, catering, youth and a space for the program.	Bawating/ Michipicoten First Nation
Oshki Miigwan's (Young Feather's)	Oshki Miigwan's (Young Feather's) is an Indigenous youth-led group project located in Thundber Bay, ON. Oshki Miigwan (Young Feathers) is a cultural revitalization project that will bring traditional knowledge to Indigenous youth. The project is honored to welcome Eric Mentuck, who will share teachings on the significance of Bustles, Fans, and Plumes worn with Pow Wow regalia. With his guidance, 20 children and youth will create their own meaningful pieces, choosing what resonates with them. This project will deepen their cultural connection, strengthen their identity, and instill pride in their traditions. The Oshki Miigwan (Young Feathers) project is scheduled to take place from July 28 to August 1, 2025, running daily from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. ​	Thunder Bay
Youth Voices Podcast: Amplifying Indigenous Youth Stories	Youth Voices Podcast: Amplifying Indigenous Youth Stories(Endaayaan Awejaa (EA)) is an Indigenous youth-led group project in North Bay / Nipissing First Nation and Online Community. The project is podcast by Indigenous youth, for Indigenous youth! The will be sharing their stories, talking about important issues, and featuring conversations with Elders, community members, and peers. Some of the topics include 2-Spirit identity, mental health, lateral violence, and our connections to the land. Along the way, project participants will develop skills in storytelling, technology, project planning, leadership, and more. The podcast is about reclaiming voices, building community, and creating space for the conversations that matter to Indigenous Youth. The Youth Voices podcast will launch in Spring of 2025, with podcast production occurring throughout the year. The project aims to release 8-10 episodes per season, allowing for flexibility in content creation while ensuring that each episode is thoughtfully produced with high-quality discussions. The initial episodes will focus on key topics such as mental health awareness, Indigenous identity, and cultural teachings. As the project progresses, future episodes will be shaped by the input of youth participants and the community's evolving needs. ​	North Bay / Nipissing First Nation
"Indigenous Art Matters"  art workshop series	"Indigenous Art Matters" is a transformative series of Four Indigenous art workshops (Beaded Bag, Leather Moccasin Making, Tufing and Raised Beaded Popsocket), designed to cultivate creativity and community spirit among the youth of Akwesasne. The group aims to harness the power of indigenous artwork as a tool for expression while rewriting the narrative about their beloved Akwesasne Mohawk Territory. Youth will learn very valuable skills, create one of a kind artwork, and gain a greater appreciation for their culture.	Akwesasne
Makwa Teachings & Designs: Hand Drum and Drum Stick Making	Makwa Teachings & Designs is an Individual youth- led project in Thunder Bay, Ontario that are Interested in learning more about the hand drum? Come and join the initiative in learning how to make your own hand drum and drum sticks. Not only will you be provided with your own opportunity to create but also learn the teachings of the hand drum.This project will be a culturally based workshop for youth. This individual plans to facilitate the teachings around the hand drum as well as teaching the youth how to design and create their own hand drum and drum sticks. Additionally, This individual will teach and encourage youth who are interested in learning hand drum songs upon completion of their items. This individual is passionate about this project because he worked with youth who often come from northern communities, and he see their struggle and disconnection from the land and culture. This individual has  attended the workshops within the space he plan to utilize (ENAGB Youth Agency) and would like to facilitate a workshop of his own. When this individual first started his cultural journey as a youth, he started at the drum. He was mentored and taught by many older relations who now reside in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas. This individual's upbringing is a reminder of my resilience and the drum has helped him to find his passion, and further hisself not only in his healing journey but also his cultural journey. If this individual didn't have the mentors he had at the drum, then he would have never found his singing passion, and the love for it. this indiviual would like to think that there is a youth out there with the same story.	Thunder Bay
Planet Nova	When Marsh the cat astronaut and Berry the alien cat crash land on a new extraordinary world, they need help to fix their ship so they can return home. On this planet they meet their new friend Nova. A mushroom cat who speaks Anshinabemowin! With Nova's help, they introduce them to the Anishinaabe way of life and language. Follow their journey as they help repair their ship, and how they develop an amazing friendship on Planet Nova! The goal of this Indigenous Youth Lead group project located in Bawating is to achieve a finished animated short film by end of 2025. Accomplishing this goal will result in creating more digitial media for youth who wish to learn Anishinaabe language and culture. The project will create better representation and wider creativity for showing Anishinaabe Language and culture through visual and animated story telling. We hope with the production of Planet Nova this can kickstart a larger series to explore these characters and I believe with the local creative talent in Northern Ontario this production will help Anishinaabe creativity be heard to a wider audience.	Bawating
Anishinaabemowin Nsaswaan	Anishinaabemowin Nsaswaan is a Indigenous youth-led group project in Serpent River First Nation, that will gather together parents with babies under the age of two in order to create an intentional space for learning to incorporate Anishinaabemowin into the home and parenting as second language Anishinaabemowin learners. Thereby creating an introductory cohort of new parents who meet to assess the use Anishinaabemowin incorporation in the home. The project will specifically be introducing techniques and skills to use Anishinaabemowin in the household and in our parenting. The project notes a gap in supports and opportunities for language learning in their region, living in a rural and low populated area. None of the language learning spaces that exist serve both parents and babies at the same time, in the same space. Due to this lack of access, parents have no choice but to struggle alone in their own homes, using what Anishinaabemowin they have, or by attending language lessons in schools or communities that are solely for adults or school aged children separately. By focusing on parents with babies under the age of two, this creates a perfect opportunity to share practical examples, exercises and models for parenting in Anishinaabemowin before the child is speaking only in the English language. This enables opportunity for true immersion between First Language Anishinaabemowin speakers and infants.	Serpent River First Nation
Deweigan	Deweigan is an Indigenous youth-led group project located in Batchewana First Nation, Garden River First Nation and Sault Ste Marie. Deweigan will host a youth big drum workshop where the hide of the big drum will be gifted by the kweok of the community back to the ininiwag who helped harvest the animal. This hide has been worked on within the community hide camps and the group has been saving it for a project as such. The group now has capacity and purpose for this drum as they welcome Manoomin back to the community. The project will have a feast and celebration to honour the creation of the drum and what it will mean to the youth within community. The purpose of hosting a youth big drum workshop is a powerful and meaningful way to demonstrate the responsibility as youth and the ability to come together. This workshop will center around the creation of a big drum, our heart beat. The drum will not simply be an object crafted with a facilitator who is a drummer with our communities. This drum will represent and be a symbol of what the youth are capable of. The hide of the big drum, will be gifted by the kweok, he hide was harvested with respect, and worked on in our community’s hide camps. It has been saved specifically for this project. The timing of this project aligns with the return of Manoomin (wild rice) to the community, which also carries significant cultural meaning. As Manoomin nourishes us physically, the drum will nourish our spirits, the drum will be used at ceremonies as the group continues to work with the Manoomin spirit and medicine it will bring back to our people. The process of constructing the big drum will take place during the workshop at the dan pine healing lodge. The youth will not only learn how to craft the drum itself, but also the parts harvested for the drum and the teachings and responsibilities surrounding drumming. In addition to the workshop, the event will be marked by a feast and celebration, creating a inclusvive atmosphere that celebrates both the creation of the drum and the broader significance to community. The feast will bring together community members of all ages, fostering a sense of belonging, unity, and pride.The project will share stories, songs, and dances, reflecting on the ways our traditions continue to shape and guide us. The celebration will also serve as an opportunity for our elders, mentors and community to share with the youth. Through this project, we can honor both the past and the future for generations to come.	Batchewana First Nation, Garden River First Nation, Sault Ste Marie ​
Safe Waters (The Waterways Collective)	The Waterways Collective was created by a group of youth from Serpent River First Nation, who grew up paddling and shared a loved the waterways and have a sense of adventure. There is so much to see, and we have yet to scratch the surface. The waterways collectives’ goal is to create safe, inclusive and fun opportunities for Indigenous youth to explore and learn about their homelands and traditional waterways. he Waterways Collective is constantly on the lands and waters. Through our project, Safe Waters. We would ensure our participants are safe through the certifications, recertifications, our core-members will obtain. For example, National Lifeguard recertification, and Whitewater Rescue Technician 3. Safety is our number 1 priority. ​	Serpent River First Nation