The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF) is excited to offer the DWF Youth Ambassador Program in partnership with RBC Future Launch again this summer. We’re increasing the enrolment to 100 youth participants! This program will offer the youth participants the opportunity to gain practical work experience, network, strengthen 21st-century skills, and gain leadership experience while learning about DWF and Canada’s true history with residential schools.
Throughout the 4-week leadership training program, 100 Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth from throughout Canada will engage in online, part-time work that will support them to become champions of reconciliation in their schools and communities.
At the end of the program, the youth participants will receive an honorarium for their participation and have the chance to make lasting change through our new volunteer Youth Ambassador Committee . The Youth Ambassador Committee helps to guide DWF programming and champion our work.
Application deadline: April 15th 2022
This summer’s program will include a variety of new guest speakers. We are looking for youth (16 – 25yrs) from all over the country, no experience necessary! Just a passion to learn more about reconciliation and what you can do to make Canada a better place.
Virtual Paint Class with Patrick Hunter
Patrick Hunter is a Two-Spirited Ojibwe painter, graphic designer, and entrepreneur from Red Lake, ON. In 2011, he made the move to Toronto to pursue a career in the visual arts. He is making a name for himself in the corporate world through artistic and graphic collaborations with RBC and BMO Banks, Ernst & Young, TSN, and most recently the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks.
PARTICIPANTS LEARNED… The fundamentals of painting / techniques in a fun & positive environment. – The importance of mental health & healing through the arts. – The spiritual significance / history of the Woodland Art form in Indigenous communities. – Basic cultural competency understanding & artistic confidence.
Virtual Dance Class with Angela Miracle Gladue
Angela Miracle Gladue is a dancer, choreographer, educator, and artist from Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton, AB – Treaty 6 territory) and is a member of Frog Lake First Nation. She has over 15 years of professional dance experience as an entertainer and has taught in countless schools, Indigenous communities, youth centres and conferences throughout North America since 2004.
PARTICIPANTS LEARNED… about Angela Gladue’s fantastic career in dance, traditional and hip-hop styles, followed by an interactive dance workshop in hip-hop.
Using Your Career in Communications to Amplify Indigenous Voices with Tanya Talaga
Tanya Talaga is Ojibwe with roots in Fort William First Nation in Ontario.. She worked as a journalist at the Toronto Star for more than twenty years and has been nominated five times for the Michener Award in public service journalism. Tanya is the President and CEO of Makwa Creative, a production company focused on Indigenous storytelling.
Tanya is the acclaimed author of Seven Fallen Feathers, which was the winner of the RBC Taylor Prize, the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing, and First Nation Communities Read: Young Adult/Adult.
PARTICIPANTS LEARNED…. about Tanya’s professional career as a writer and how she is using her platform to amplify Indigenous voices.
Competency Training with DWF’s ReconciliACTION Team
PARTICIPANTS LEARNED…. Training provided to the Youth Ambassadors focused on building upon the necessary skills, knowledge, attitude and values focusing on intercultural competency, cross cultural communication and meaningful engagement with Indigenous Peoples. It aimed to improve and provide learners with the appropriate knowledge and relevant information to continuing efforts of reconciliation for both personal and professional development.
Running a Small Business & The History of Bannock with Bangin’ Bannock
Bangin’ Bannock owners Destiny and Kelsey spoke about starting Bangin’ Bannock, their understanding of the origins of Bannock and its significance for Indigenous people and they offered the Youth Ambassadors an opportunity to make their own unique Bannock!
Destiny –At the beginning of this year, I joined in partnership to develop and launch our business Bangin’ Bannock. A focus for us is on Indigenizing business through building community relations and giving back to our community. We hope our stories encourage others to try new adventures. And always remember that learning continues for a lifetime and each journey will have new teachings and learning.
Kelsey – Hadih! Through this business I dream of creating connection, community, and conversation. We dream of a decolonized business model, of being able to give back to the community, and of a healthier tomorrow. My personal learning journey through this has been immense, and I hope that we can inspire others to jump for their dreams, to take chances, and to keep learning.
DWF is incredibly grateful for the generous support of RBC Foundation, in support of RBC Future Launch, for making this program possible.
Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada.
Phone: 1-844-944-4545
E-mail: staff@downiewenjack.ca
Address:
PO BOX 749
OHSWEKEN, ON
N0A1M0
