​​Boozhoo, Shekoli, Kwinguneewal, She:kon, Tansi, Hello

This communication is to inform our friends, partners, allies, and Indigenous young people in Ontario of an important transition with the Ontario Indigenous Youth Partnership Project (OIYPP). Thea Belanger, OIYPP’s Director, has accepted an exciting new role within the philanthropic sector and will be transitioning out of her current role as of April 27, 2022. Thea has been a driving force behind the success of OIYPP since its inception in 2014 and has helped to administer grants to over 88 Indigenous youth-led projects and positively impacting numerous Indigenous youth, families and communities throughout Ontario. She has done amazing work to bring about these opportunities to
Indigenous young peoples and communities throughout the province. We are so grateful for all she has done and look forward to what she will do in her new role.

OIYPP has been giving out grants to Indigenous youth in Ontario since 2015. Our goal is to create a community of celebrated Indigenous youth leading work that responds to the dynamic needs and priorities of their communities.

We express deep gratitude for the time, love and commitment Thea has given to OIYPP over the years and wish her the best in her new opportunity.

Going forward, we will continue to advance our relationships with funders, partners, within the philanthropic sector and with Indigenous young people and communities throughout Ontario. In the interim, Gabrielle Fayant, OIYPP’s Project Coordinator, will be the point person for to ensure the continued delivery of OIYPP’s programs and services.

Our 2022 grant cycle is continuing as planned and we will continue our communications
during this time of transition.

If anyone has any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Gabby at [email protected] or Quinn Meawasige, the Steering Committee Chair at [email protected].

​Sincerely,
OIYPP Steering Committee
Quinn Meawasige
Jocelyn Formsma
Kris Archie