Youth Advisors

YOUTH ADVISORS

OIYPP Youth Advisors are invited to bring their own strengths to OIYPP. By bringing their personal and professional experience to the program, they provide insight into both overall strategy and approach while advising on various activities connected with OIYPP. Youth Advisors also provide OIYPP with increased connections to the Indigenous youth community in the land known as Ontario, so we can share the opportunities that OIYPP provides with Indigenous youth throughout the land in urban, rural, on reserve and off-reserve communities.

We are aware that youth bring great insight into any conversation. We honor their knowledge and therefore, ask Youth Advisors to participate in many aspects of OIYPP so we can benefit from their knowledge, experience, and connections.

Below are the main activities that we invite Youth Advisors to be a part of:

Kick-off Advisory Committee meeting to review goals, outcomes, and activities
Preparation for and promotion of the call for grant applications
Grant application review and decision-making for youth projects
Preparation for and participation in the Annual Gathering
Participation in the learning and evaluation process

Other activities available to Youth Advisors but not required:

Mentorship of youth leading projects
Assistance with communications and social media
Participation in partner and supporter related activities and meetings

Please contact us if you are interested in learning more.

2022 YOUTH ADVISORS

Shanna Peltier

Shanna Peltier is a proud Anishinaabe kwe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory located on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Shanna graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies from Laurentian University. Shanna is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in the School and Clinical Child Psychology program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) - University of Toronto. Just as important to her role as a student, she is also the daughter of two wonderful and hardworking parents, Patrick and Ramona Peltier and a protective sister to Taylor Peltier.

Through her graduate school education, Shanna hopes to unlock a deeper, more-complex understanding of what it means to critically engage with psychology as a First Nations woman. In addition, Shanna is passionate about Indigenous mental health, suicide prevention, and life promotion, especially as it pertains to Indigenous children and youth. Shanna is working towards becoming a clinical child psychologist and her hope is to move back to Northern Ontario to serve Indigenous communities, families, children and youth.

Sam Mukwa Kloetstra

Sam Mukwa Kloetstra is an Anishinaabe youth from Mattagami First Nation. Sam is an advocate for Indigenous youth, nation-building, and community wellbeing. He has been an advisor to Ontario Minister of Education and has sat on the Ontario Premier’s Council for Youth Opportunities. Sam continues to work in influencing change in youth focussed health and education policy. He is a vocal advisor on the Toronto Indigenous Health Advisory Circle, Toronto Indigenous Affairs Committee, and the Toronto Drug Strategy Panel. Sam continues to amplify Indigenous youth voices through his work with the Toronto Indigenous Youth Collective.

Claudia Skunk

Claudia Skunk is a proud Anishinaabekwe from Mishkeegogamang First Nation, located in northwestern Ontario. She works and volunteers for organizations like imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, Mino Collective, Canadian Roots Exchange, and Eshkiniigjik Naandwechigegamig, Aabiish Gaa Binjibaaying. Proudly coming from a northern community she draws her inspiration from her ancestors, and the land that holds their stories. She is passionate about working with organizations and people who uplift Indigenous voices and expression.

PAST YOUTH ADVISORS

Sydney Nolan
William Komaksiutiksak
Sarah Yankoo
Rebekah Elkerton
Jocelyn Formsma
William Perry
Erin Montour
Lindsay DuPré
Quinn Meawasige
Gabrielle Fayant
Max FineDay